Above & Beyond: Catalina's Certificate Program

There’s no question that Santa Catalina students are a dedicated bunch. Whether in academics, athletics, or the arts, students are driven to excel. They’re also passionate, and when they find something that ignites their interest, they go all in.

For students whose dedication and passion align in the visual and performing arts, Catalina’s certificate program hits the spot.

The certificate program is designed to give students a college-level experience while exposing them to the professional world. Students can earn a certificate if they engage in a four-year course of study and complete out-of-class assignments to broaden their understanding. Certificates are a way to acknowledge student accomplishments and to recognize their commitment to a given area, whether the arts or marine science or global leadership. In the arts, students also compile a portfolio of work that can be used for college admissions and future interviews. Lara Wheeler Devlin ’02, chair of the Theatre Arts Department, says, “The program legitimizes the amount of work and time that students are putting in. It’s a validation of their efforts.”

In the performing arts, students must enroll in drama classes their first three years and then select, produce, and mount their own production in the Rehearsal and Performance class during their senior year. In addition, students must see at least three shows outside of school each year for all four years, and must either perform or serve on the technical crew in at least one Catalina performance before their senior year.

In the visual arts, regular graduation requirements call for students to complete three years of instruction. Students enrolled in the certificate program must also sign up for a fourth-year class, Studio Art Seminar, during which they complete a 15-piece cohesive portfolio of work as well as five other pieces in a variety of media. Outside of class, students must visit at least three art museums or galleries, interview two local artists, and enter artwork in two local or national competitions. The museum visits and artist interviews also require written reflections.

In both programs, students share their finished work, whether as a performance or a gallery exhibition. They also receive more one-on-one time with instructors who continue to practice their crafts professionally. “The certificate program shows that we take art seriously at Catalina,” says Claire Lerner, chair of the Visual Arts Department.

Through in-class assignments and realworld experiences, students get a taste of what it would be like to work in the arts professionally. In the Rehearsal and Performance class, students participate in every aspect of the production—even paying for the royalties—and experience working within a budget. “I show them this is how much it really costs to put on a show,” says Mrs. Devlin. For visual arts students, gallery visits give them an understanding of the business and curation side of art.

Ultimately, however, the certificate program is about giving students the opportunity to do more in a field that they love. “I pursued the certificate in the theatre program as a commitment to my passion for storytelling,” says Bella Borgomini ’21, who is currently double majoring in cinema and media studies and politics, philosophy, and law at the

University of Southern California. “It meant a lot to me to be able to study theatre and performing arts at Catalina. It was an opportunity I did not take lightly, and I was eager to pursue the certificate as a symbol of my dedication to learning.”

Carys Chard ’23, who is earning a visual arts certificate, has her sights set on becoming a museum curator. It’s a career interest ignited by her experience curating Catalina’s art gallery as part of the school’s STAR internship program. Over the summer, Carys worked as a gallery assistant at the Carmel Art Association, where she assisted with preparing a 95year historic exhibition and built personal relationships with clients and more than 80 local artists. Carys appreciates the breadth and depth of the certificate program. “It has allowed me to explore a variety of creative outlets over my four years at Catalina … and to expand my love for art outside of the classroom,” she says.

The Class of 2021 was the first to receive performing arts certificates; the first visual arts certificates went to the Class of 2022. Though new, the program formalizes a level of interest and quality that has been present for years. Many students have continued to pursue the arts in college, including such prestigious schools as the Rhode Island School of Design, Ithaca College, Carnegie Mellon University, and NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

But the program isn’t just for students who want to forge a career in the arts. In fact, it might help them discover new passions. One visual arts student enjoyed interviewing artists so much that she is now considering journalism as a career. There is value in delving into a subject regardless of further ambitions. In the case of performing arts, skills associated with management, budgeting, marketing, performing, or directing are skills that will help in any career. As Mrs. Devlin puts it, “You’re getting this really intense experience at a collegiate level with a staff member who is currently in the field, and whether or not you go on and pursue performing arts, studying something to that level is certainly beneficial for your future.”

For Mrs. Lerner, it’s enough to hear from alumnae that they’ve incorporated an art practice into their lives. “I love that, because that’s the real truth about what we’re doing—we’re speaking to their future selves,” she says. “I just want them to succeed and enjoy it.”

Marine Science & Global Leadership Certificates

In addition to the visual and performing arts, Santa Catalina offers certificates in the Marine Ecology Research Program (MERP) and the new global education initiative. The MERP certificate rewards students who have gone through the three-year program and completed a significant independent research project, which they present in a public forum. The certificate in global leadership sends students through an interdisciplinary course of study in world languages, religious studies, and history, and requires them to engage in globally minded experiences outside the classroom, such as service projects and study abroad opportunities.