SCPA celebrates 50 years of excellence and educating students
The School For Creative & Performing Arts was established in 1973 in response to a lawsuit brought against Cincinnati Public Schools calling for the desegregation of schools. Its early leaders capitalized on this lawsuit brought by the Bronson family and created a school that would educate black and white students with a focus on the arts and a rigorous academic curriculum.
The offerings of drama, visual art, dance, instrumental music, vocal music, technical theater, creative writing and strong academics appealed to families. Quickly SCPA became a popular choice for families with budding stars taking advantage of the pre-professional arts training and a place whose unique diversity served as a strength and asset to its overall success. Today, SCPA is recognized as the first K-12 arts magnet public school in the nation.
SCPA has evolved in its 50-year existence and is recognized by many as a perennial arts magnet school providing students with a strong arts and academic program. Sitting at the gateway to the arts community in Over-the-Rhine, the SCPA is a key contributor in Cincinnati’s arts community. It boasts a number of famous alumni who have had successful careers in the arts and alumni who have taken the lessons taught through the arts to make a positive impact in many chosen fields of study and professions.
As the principal of SCPA, I have personally benefited from learning valuable lessons of resilience, grit, humility, self-efficacy, acceptance, tolerance and service while a student of SCPA from 1982 to 1988. SCPA gave me an outlook on what’s possible in life if you prepare yourself, give back to others and are always prepared to show up and be ready for any opportunity that arises.
The SCPA teachers and faculty of the past and present are truly the stars who have supported the development of our superstars. Working with artistically minded young people isn’t for the faint of heart. One must be dedicated to demonstrating excellence and driven to impart knowledge from their vast experiences and expertise, but, more importantly, demonstrate compassion and love.
SCPA has so much to be proud of over its 50-year history. SCPA is recognized as an exemplary arts school across the nation. It received this distinction in 2018 by the Arts School Network, of which SCPA was a founding member over 40 years ago. SCPA is recognized as one of the best public schools in Cincinnati Public Schools, central Ohio and the state.
The heartbeat of the school is the students. SCPA has a very diverse student body. African-American students represent 60%, Caucasian 27%, multiracial 10%, Hispanic 2% and Asian 1%. This melting pot of cultures provides various insights, perspectives and gifts within the learning environment. Students collaborate daily with teachers learning how to lead productions as stage managers and crew leaders, ensuring the main stage productions—and the over 250 performances, gallery showings and readings—are professionally presented to the public. The seven hours of the school day are just the beginning of what happens at SCPA. Some say, SCPA never closes. It certainly feels this way at times. This unique and inclusive environment truly prepares our students to be more tolerant, empathetic, compassionate and find their voice.
If you’re interested in learning more about and experiencing the magic taking place, join us for our Discover SCPA Day, Saturday, Oct. 22, 1-2:30 p.m. (no registration required). Learn about our audition and admissions process, academic curriculum, extracurricular activities and more. Our world-class faculty and current students will be on hand to answer your questions.
You can also join us as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. Our productions are student-led under the supervision and guidance of faculty. Please be our guest at our six mainstage performances. Visit scpa.cps-12.org/news/box-office for information and tickets.
Michael Owens joined the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) as principal in July 2015, coming home to Cincinnati after a professional career with Columbus (Ohio) Public Schools. Owens is a 1988 graduate of SCPA, where he focused on vocal and instrumental music.
