GSA Auditions
Students must audition or present a visual arts portfolio for acceptance into The Governor's School for the Arts (GSA). All current 8th-11th grade students are eligible to apply. GSA welcomes students of all interests, races/ethnicities, gender identities, experience levels, and all socio-economic backgrounds.
Join us for GSA's Open House on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 from 6-8pm
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE 2027-2028 SCHOOL YEAR: NOVEMBER 30, 2026
Virtual Meet GSA Nights
These sessions will give you information about the school
and the application process. Parents and students welcome!
Register here to attend.
Suffolk: 9/24 at 7pm
Norfolk: 9/29 at 6:30pm
Virginia Beach: 10/1 at 6:30pm
Portsmouth: 10/6 at 6:30pm
Chesapeake: 10/8 at 7pm
Isle of Wight, Southampton and Franklin: 10/13 at 7pm
All applications are online. Before applying, review the Departmental Guidelines for Submissions
and read all directions carefully! Please submit only ONE application.
You may submit an application and audition for up to three (3) departments.
STEPS TO APPLY
ESSAY QUESTIONS
Your written answer should be 150-200 words. It is best to prepare these in advance before accessing the online application. If you need, we will accept a video answer.
Essay #1: What are your academic or career goals for the next few years, and how will GSA help you achieve them?
Essay #2: Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Two adult recommendation are required. The recommenders can be teachers, coaches or anyone who knows you well. They should not be family members.
Send them this link to fill out an online recommendation form: https://forms.gle/t82ivzxp4qY8YPLL6
TRANSCRIPTS
A middle school grade report or high school transcript is required. It may be an unofficial transcript. Your application will not be considered complete without your grades.
DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS
You must submit a separate digital submission for each department to which you apply. This is your Round One submission. Each department will have different requirements. Carefully read each department's requirements before you complete your online application. Do not apply until your recordings or photographs are complete and named correctly.
APPLICATION
Round One:
1. Complete the online application
You may audition for up to three (3) different departments but you submit only ONE application.
2. Upload your submissions with your online application
Be sure to upload all videos and images with the online application. Visual Arts requires 3 drawings and 1 original piece.
For all applicants except Visual Arts, please record yourself in a full body angle, saying your name slowly and clearly, before your performance begins. Your video may be taken with your phone in your home. You do not need special surroundings for your pre-screen audition.
All digital file uploads must be named LAST NAME, FIRST NAME.
Round Two:
If you are selected for Round Two you will be notified in early to mid-January 2027. You will be assigned a date and time; you may not request a date. Round Two will be in person at the GSA building.
Once an audition date and time is assigned, supplemental forms may be required from individual departments. These forms will be e-mailed with your audition date and time assignment. Please make sure your email address is complete and correct on your application. All communication will be done electronically.
IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY ACCESSING THE APPLICATION, TRY USING A NON SCHOOL EMAIL AND A NON SCHOOL DEVICE.
Virginia Beach students, use this link to apply.
Questions? Contact michelle.cihak@gsart.net or 757-451-4711.