about

The Institute for the Creative Arts is a tuition-free public charter high school and open to all students.

At ICA, we unite a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with exceptional pre-professional arts training. Our programs span dance, film, music, theatre, creative writing, and visual art, offering students the opportunity to explore their passions while preparing for future success.

Art Disciplines

At ICA High School, we unite a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with exceptional pre-professional arts training. Our programs span dance, film, music, theatre, creative writing, and visual art, offering students the opportunity to explore their passions while preparing for future success.

Visual Arts

Visual Art at ICA is where observation becomes expression. Students develop a rigorous creative practice through a range of disciplines — learning to see the world differently and communicate with intention, skill, and a distinctive voice.

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Contemporary Music at ICA bridges the gap between musical tradition and the sounds of today. Whether students are singers or instrumentalists, they develop the technique, versatility, and artistry to perform across genres and thrive in a modern music landscape.

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Music

Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre is where every discipline converges — acting, singing, dance, storytelling, and stagecraft all working together in service of a single, unforgettable performance. At ICA, students don't just learn to perform musicals; they learn what it means to be a complete theatre artist. From audition technique to opening night, students are trained with the professionalism and artistry that the stage demands.

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Creative Writing is the art of putting the human experience into words. At ICA, students develop their voice across fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and more — learning the craft, discipline, and courage it takes to tell stories that matter. Whether students dream of writing novels, scripts, lyrics, or plays, this discipline equips them with the skills and creative confidence to bring their ideas to life on the page.

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Creative Writing

Dance

Dance at ICA is a full-body, full-commitment discipline. Students train with rigor and joy across a wide range of styles, building the technical foundation, performance presence, and stylistic versatility needed to pursue a professional life in dance.

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Academics

Our college-preparatory program is designed to meet the challenges our students face with our demanding double major in arts and academics. The curriculum is built on the core values of a liberal arts education: inquisitiveness, creativity, and thoughtfulness. Our goal is for students to gain a richer understanding of the world around them.

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OUR FACILITIES

To inquire about rentals, email our Marketing Director, Demi Cartwright, at dcartwright@icafortsmith.org.

Admin Team

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Behind every great school is a dedicated team working to make it all possible. Our administrative staff is committed to creating an environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full creative potential.