We believe in Art. We believe students thrive on creativity and color, movement and music.
The Office of Arts & Creative Learning provides students with high-quality, culturally responsive arts education from elementary through high school.
Through music, dance, theater, visual arts, and media arts, students explore their creativity, develop new skills, and gain a deeper appreciation for the arts.
The All City Dance Ensemble is an exciting opportunity that includes students with a diverse range of dance proficiencies, from schools across Philadelphia. Students audition for the opportunity to perform and learn from a remarkably talented team of teachers, educators, and choreographers. The All City Dance Ensemble is proud to appoint the Philadelphia Ballet as the official Artistic Partner for this program.
The audition is held once each year, and includes a formal ballet and modern dance class in addition to learning and performing choreography for the Audition Panel.
For Audition Information & Dates, Rehearsal Dates & Locations, and Final Performance(s) Information, Click HERE
The All City Music Programs include students with a diverse range of musical talent, from schools across Philadelphia. Students audition for the opportunity to perform and learn from a remarkably talented team of musical specialists.
For Audition Information & Dates, Rehearsal Dates & Locations, and Final Performance(s) Information, Click HERE
Middle school students can participate in:
Following six rehearsals, the students perform in a festival concert featuring Concert Band, String Orchestra, and Jazz Band.
Students must participate in their individual school’s instrumental music program to audition for All-City. Students with several years of instrumental music study should apply through their instrumental music teacher.
Students must be recommended by their school instrumental music teacher. Students must perform at the District’s Level Two Benchmarks for Instrumental Music Education. Copies of solos and scales required for the audition are available from the student’s instrumental music teacher.
For Audition Information & Dates, Rehearsal Dates & Locations, and Final Performance(s) Information, Click HERE
High school students can choose from:
District students with several years’ experience in vocals, wind, brass, string, or percussion instruments. Note: instrumental and vocal students who have participated in the All City Middle School Festivals are naturally aligned to audition and perform at the High School All City level.
Regardless of which of these you fall into, you will perform at the Festival, which is a one-day culmination and presentation of the skills learned over the year. All program participants are required to perform at the Festival, which is held at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
For Audition Information & Dates, Rehearsal Dates & Locations, and Final Performance(s) Information, Click HERE
The All Philadelphia Jazz Orchestra is comprised of students from high schools throughout Philadelphia that are selected by a committee through a recorded audition.
Any high school student already in their school jazz band or with an interest in jazz should apply for the All Philadelphia Jazz Orchestra.
For Audition Information & Dates, Rehearsal Dates & Locations, and Final Performance(s) Information, Click HERE
Students in the All City Elementary and Middle School Program will participate in a final performance at the Choral Festival held at the Temple Performing Arts Center. This festival celebrates choral music across the district. Participating schools bring select students from their school ensembles to join a greater combined choir.
There is no application or audition. Students are selected for participation by their school music teacher.
For Audition Information & Dates, Rehearsal Dates & Locations, and Final Performance(s) Information, Click HERE
More information coming soon.
For Audition Information & Dates, Rehearsal Dates & Locations, and Final Performance(s) Information, Click HERE
MIC’d Up (Music Industry Classrooms) is an artistic, community-based initiative that connects all-star Philly DJs, producers and musicians with the next generation of talent – our District students! MIC’d Up is a new platform for mentors and mentees to discuss their passions for art, music and technology, as well as to learn more about the business, marketing and promotion of music.
MIC’d Up All Stars
Celebrating 2 years of MIC’d Up featuring a weekly variety of mentees and mentors
Monday Evenings 6pm – 8pm
April – May 2023
Mentees: JAB Trio from Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP)
Kevin Tamsjah, Drums
Alex Artom-Ginzburg, Bass
Jace Robinson, Keys
Mentors: Ben O’Neill, Luke Carlos O’Reilly
March 2023
Mentee: Sage Stanback
Mentors: Ben Arsenal & DJ Neeek Nyce
January – February 2023
Mentees: Jason Sagle & George Siokos
Mentors: Ben O’Neill, Luke Carlos O’Reilly, & Nimrod Speaks
November – December 2022
Mentee: MIC’d Up All Stars
Mentors: Luke Carlos O’Reilly
September – October 2022
Mentee: Denim Stanback aka She’J Q’dee
Mentors: DJ Nafis and Ben Arsenal
June – August 2022
Mentees: MIC’d Up All Stars
Mentor: Luke Carlos O’Reilly
Guest Mentors: Tre Lambert, Eric Wortham
April – May 2022
Mentees: KD² Band from George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science
Kevin Leonard, Drums
Damaris Williams, Bass
Dillon Dwyer, Keys
Mentor: Luke Carlos O’Reilly
February – March 2022
Mentees: MJS Trio from West Philadelphia High School
Malik Spurgeon, Bass
Justin Henderson, Drums
Samuel Jones-Johnson, Keys
Mentor: Luke Carlos O’Reilly
November – December 2021
Mentees: Justin Griggs, Andre Harris, Andrew Harris
Mentor: V. Shayne Frederick
September – October 2021
Mentee: Denim Stanback aka She’J Q’dee
Mentor: Matthew Law
August 2021
Mentee: Joshua Peeler
Mentor: V. Shayne Frederick
July 2021
Mentee: Christian Harrison aka DJ Blacx Rose
Mentor: Daniel Buckman, Matthew Law
The School District of Philadelphia Young Artists showcase is an annual exhibition of student artwork from across the district.
The “Young Artists” Exhibition celebrates artistic achievements of our District art students that are created in art classrooms under the direction of certified art specialists.
Student artwork is displayed throughout The School District of Philadelphia’s Administration Offices throughout the spring and summer.
“I’ve fallen in love with a piece in the exhibition, can I buy it?”
The sale of student work is at the discretion of the student. Each piece is labeled with the students name/school/and teacher. Contact the art teacher who will relay your contact information and offer to the “young artist” and their parent(s).
“I love the exhibition and would like to present prizes to the students and teacher, what can I do?”
Great! Feel free to contact the Director of Visual Art/Dance/Theater, Lynette Brown-Edwards (lydbrown@philasd.org), for more information.
“I really enjoyed this group project or body of work from this teacher, how can I support them?”
A teacher may have upcoming projects listed on The Fund for The School District of Philadelphia, the Young Artists Donation Page or DonorsChoose!
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