Byng Arts Mini School

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Byng Arts Mini School is a School District 39 Vancouver Mini School program[1] for Literary, Media, Visual, Music, and Performing Arts. The school is located with in Lord Byng Secondary School in West Point Grey on the west side of Vancouver, British Columbia.


Contents

[edit] Program Philosophy

The school offers an intensive program designed for the artistic development of above average students in high school, both in the fine arts and academics.

The program promotes both academic and artistic excellence while fostering interdisciplinary awareness and individual creativity through curricular and extra-curricular activities in the fine arts, literary arts and applied fine arts.[2]

[edit] Program Activities

[edit] Fab Assembly

"Fab" assemblies are guest performances held at the school by professionals in the Fine Arts community. Most of the time the guest performers are local artists but on occasion internationally traveling guests do appear. Originally known as "Fab Friday's" the performances were held after school once a month on Friday. However, in 2002 the consistent schedule of having them on Friday was replaced with a years calendar that could accommodate conflicting school events.

[edit] Gala

The school also hosts an annual gala. The gala's theme changes every year. Best costume and creativity are among some of the prizes awarded to students who dress up accordingly. The school showcases the work of the students by lining the gala with art work and displays. Several performances are presented by the theatre arts and music students as well as an award ceremony. The gala includes a full course dinner, dance, and chess tournament.

[edit] Byng Arts Passport

2006 Byng Arts Passport
2006 Byng Arts Passport

Each Byng Arts students receives a "Byng Arts Passport" designed to record events that celebrate the arts: visual, literary, musical, and dramatic. Mandatory Byng Arts events such as the "fab" assemblies are also recorded. A rewards system is implemented through this passport where students compete for year end awards and prizes. The Byng Arts Passport was an idea to encourage students to participate, see, and support the fine arts.

[edit] Byng Arts Student Presidents

2004-2005

  • Elyse Newbert

2005-2006

  • Nicole Jang

2006-2007 - Co Presidents:

  • Christy Quintana
  • Jack Xu

2007-2008

  • Elizabeth Samuels

2008-2009

  • Shane Campbell

[edit] History

  • November 2006, Mandatory VSB online test registration begins.
  • 2005-2006, Byng Art Mini School's Theatre Company gained international attention for staging the play The Laramie Project after the Surrey School Board banned the play. [3]
  • September 2004, the Literary Arts program expanded to include Grades 8 to 12.
  • September 2003, a Literary Arts discipline was introduced at the Senior level. This program included: Literature 12, Enriched English 11, and English 12AP.
  • September 2000, the program officially becomes Byng Arts Mini School.
  • September 1999, a Junior program (Grade 8 - 10) is introduced.
  • Before September 1999, Byng Arts starts informally as a Senior program (Grade 11 and 12): Theatre Company, Honours Art, Concert Band, and Honour Orchestra.

[edit] Selection Criteria

A Selection Committee will look for students who have the following:

  • Commitment to a focussed and rigorous program in the arts
  • Demonstrated ability in one or more area of the arts
  • Ability to work cooperatively and to respect the creativity of others
  • Proven ability in core academic subjects


For all grades:

  • Availability of seats
  • Two most recent report cards
  • One letter of reference
  • Handwritten essay (by student)
  • One audition (or more) in:
  • Band
  • Drama
  • Literary Arts (Current Grades 8 to 11)
  • Strings
  • Visual Arts


Grade 7s entering Grade 8 (In addition to all of the above):

  • District Cognitive Test Scores
  • District Writing Sample
  • District Mathematics skills test


All Visual Arts applicants (In addition to the above):

  • three (3) well-chosen pieces of work spanning a variety of media. The pieces must fit inside the application package and may be photographs.


Literary Arts 9 to 12 (Current Grades 8 to 11) (In addition to the general tools):

  • five (5) pieces of writing including at least one analytical and one creative work. A maximum of two may be school assignments.

[edit] Application Process

  • Complete the District on-line application in early December.
  • Complete the Byng Arts on-line application also in early December,
  • Submit the completed application package before Winter Break. The package includes:
  • Confirmation of on-line application, both VSB and Byng Arts,
  • Byng Arts application form completed in the student’s handwriting,
  • Byng Arts Mini School Reference Form in sealed envelope,
  • Two most recent report cards: November and previous June,
  • A recent photograph with the student’s name written across the back.
  • Write the District-wide standardized cognitive skills test, writing sample, and mathematics test at a specified test centre,
  • Visual arts applicants only are required to submit other supporting documents as requested in the application package.

[edit] Selection Process

The Selection Process has three distinctive steps: Application Review, Short List, and Auditions.

Applications are reviewed and checked for:

  • Confirmation page from the VSB online application
  • Confirmation page from Byng Arts online application.
  • Completed cross boundary application form, if the catchment school is not Lord Byng.
  • Completed Byng Arts Mini School Reference Form.
  • Two most recent report cards: November and previous June.
  • A recent photograph.
  • Supporting documents for visual & literary arts applicants only.

Eligible students will be added to a Short List if successful through the Application Review.

Short listed students are notified of appointment times for testing, auditions portfolio assessments, skills assessments, interviews as appropriate.

Students selected for Byng Arts are offered positions. Students on wait list are notified of wait-list status.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ VSB Mini School Listing
  2. ^ Vancouver School Board Mini School Information
  3. ^ CBC News article on The Laramie Project at Byng

[edit] References


[edit] External links