High school students hear from educator panels at the College and Career Pathways in the Arts event on Feb. 7. 
High school students hear from educator panels at the College and Career Pathways in the Arts event on Feb. 7. 
Local high schoolers connect with potential employers at the College and Career Pathways in the Arts event at Feb. 7. 
Local high schoolers connect with potential employers at the College and Career Pathways in the Arts event at Feb. 7. 
UC Irvine faculty shared financial aid options with students at the College and Career Pathways in the Arts event on Feb. 7. 
Saddleback College students perform during the College and Career Pathways in the Arts event on Feb. 7.
More than 600 high schoolers recently explored future opportunities in the arts through workshops, expert panels and networking sessions with college and industry professionals at the College and Career Pathways in the Arts event.
Hosted by Saddleback College in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education, this second annual gathering on Feb. 7 welcomed students and staff from eight Orange County school districts, encouraging them to connect with professionals from seven arts organizations like Disney Live Entertainment and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County.
To support arts education through Proposition 28 — a measure that ensures consistent statewide funding for these programs — the Orange County Music and Arts Administrators coalition launched the event last year to shed light on workforce options and increase awareness of the growing need for arts educators.
As a new addition this year, students participated in small-group discussions covering topics such as submitting an art portfolio and applying for financial aid. Led by faculty from Chapman University, Laguna College of Art and Design, and the Coastline, Cypress, Saddleback and Irvine Valley colleges, the breakout sessions allowed students to ask personalized questions related to their career aspirations.
Attendees also networked with representatives from nine local colleges and universities to learn about pursuing the arts while getting a college education.
The event opened in Saddleback College’s McKinney Theatre, where attendees were introduced by Scott Farthing, dean of the School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design. Representatives from OCDE including Chief of Staff Dennis Cole, Arts Coordinator Scott Fitzpatrick and Administrator Trish Walsh also spoke to students about countywide efforts to support arts education.
Students, parents and teachers also heard presentations on building work-based learning experience through internships and apprenticeships in the arts from education professionals at UC Irvine’s Clair Trevor School of the Arts, Segerstrom Center of the Arts and OCDE’s OC Pathways program.
“We saw how a community can come together to not just encourage but to provide practical support that can equip students to follow their chosen path to be college and career ready in the arts right here in Orange County,” Fitzpatrick said.
The Orange County Music and Arts Administrators network worked with the following regional arts organizations and higher education institutions to hold this event:
Higher Education Institutions
Saddleback College
California State University Fullerton
Coastline College
Cypress College
Chapman University
Laguna College of Art and Design
Vanguard University
Arts Organizations and Potential Future Employers
Orange County Musicians Union
Bertrand’s Music
Disney Live Entertainment
Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach
OC Pathways
The Arts & Learning Conservatory
The Philharmonic Society of Orange County
Segerstrom Center for the Arts