Tacoma School of the Arts

 

Performing Arts

The Performing Arts Department at SOTA is committed to providing pre-professional training which imaginatively balances theory and practice, and is based on a quality liberal arts foundation. Through classroom study, studio preparation and productions and performances, students are encouraged to pursue a commitment to individual excellence and collaboration, a passion for their discipline, and to develop a firm grounding in all aspects of live and mediated performance.

  • DANCE

  • SINGER/SONGWRITER

  • TECHNICAL THEATER

  • THEATER AND ACTING

  • INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

  • SONGWRITING

  • VOCAL MUSIC

  • AUDIO RECORDING

Visual Arts

The Visual Arts Department at SOTA is an academically challenging program created to help students develop their own style through carefully designed curriculum. Students elect to pursue Photography, Graphic Design, Filmmaking, Advanced Illustration and Painting. Each area of study contains it’s own sequence of courses, integrating beginning and advanced students as both teacher and learner.

  • PHOTOGRAPHY

  • VIDEO

  • PRINTMAKING

  • ILLUSTRATION

  • PAINTING AND DRAWING

  • GRAPHIC DESIGN

  • LIFE DRAWING

  • FILMMAKING

  • CREATIVE WRITING

How SOTA Measures Up

 

Results

  • The highest graduation rates over the last 17 years. 96% to 100%

  • 100% of juniors and seniors take college-level courses for college credit

  • 87% of students go on to higher education

  • 57% acceptance into highly selective 4-year universities and colleges

  • 100% of special education students are enrolled in general education classes

  • Washington State School of Distinction 2015-2019

Diversity, Rigor and Inclusion

  • 46% of students are students of color

  • 48% of students qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL)

  • Some of the highest test scores (SBAC) in the South Sound

  • Most students complete year-long internships as juniors for CitHS credit

  • College-level courses are offered to juniors and seniors

  • Instructional staff on average have over 11 years of teaching experience

  • 71% of staff members have a master’s degree or higher

  • Industry Professionals work in collaboration with instructional staff

  • Many instructors are National Board Certified

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3 Campuses
11 Class Locations
92 Art Classes

SOTA is embedded within the downtown Arts community taking advantage of partnerships that give full access to the Tacoma Art Museum, The Washington State History Museum, the Museum of Glass, the University of Washington Tacoma and Tacoma Arts Live! Performing Arts Facilities.

SOTA Campus

 

1950

1950 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98401

Phone
(253) 571-7900

 
 

Ted Brown

1117 Broadway
Tacoma, WA 98402

Phone
(253) 571-7900

Music Box

302 South Ninth St.
Tacoma, WA 98402

Phone
(253) 571-7900