Butler Tech’s Creative Arts Academy, located at the School of the Arts, is designed for students who want to develop their creative talents, explore new artistic opportunities, and prepare for futures in the creative industries.
Students have the flexibility to focus on their individual areas of interest, including performing arts, recording and production arts, and visual art and design, while also exploring other creative disciplines. This approach encourages students to discover new interests, strengthen their artistic abilities, and collaborate with peers whose talents and perspectives may be different from their own.
Through hands-on projects, performances, exhibitions, and collaborative experiences, students bring their ideas to life in an environment that reflects the creative industries. Along the way, they develop essential skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, business, branding, and entrepreneurship, learning not only how to create but also how to share, promote, and build opportunities around their work.
Opportunities for college credit, mentorship, internships, and industry exposure further connect classroom learning to real-world experiences, helping students build confidence, develop professional skills, and explore potential career pathways.
Whether their next step is college, entering the workforce, or pursuing their own creative ventures, students leave the Creative Arts Academy with a stronger sense of their talents, interests, and future possibilities.
Hands-On Experience
Students learn by doing, bringing their creative ideas to life through hands-on projects and real-world experiences. Whether developing individual work or collaborating across artistic disciplines, students have opportunities to apply their skills, explore new interests, and build confidence in their creative abilities.
Opportunities may include:
- Live performances and showcases
- Visual art exhibitions and creative portfolios
- Audio, recording, and media production projects
- Branding and marketing projects for creative work
- Event planning and production
- Collaborative projects across creative disciplines
- Mentorship and exposure to industry professionals
Students develop practical experience and professional skills that prepare them to pursue their next steps in college, the workforce, or the creative industries. College credits may be earned while still in high school.
Program Highlights
Industry Overview
The creative arts industry brings together artistic expression, storytelling, design, performance, and production. From music and theatre to visual art, photography, digital media, and entertainment, creative professionals use their talents to bring ideas to life, connect with audiences, and shape how people experience the world around them.
Today’s creative industries are increasingly interconnected, with artists, designers, performers, and producers collaborating across disciplines to create meaningful experiences and innovative work. Success requires more than artistic talent. Creative professionals also need skills in communication, technology, business, marketing, and entrepreneurship to turn their ideas into opportunities and build sustainable careers in an ever-evolving industry.
Course Work
Depending on their interests and selected areas of focus, coursework may include:
- Performing Arts and Stage Performance
- Recording Arts and Audio Production
- Visual Art and Design
- Drawing, Painting, and Visual Creation
- Digital Media and Production Techniques
- Creative Project Development
- Event Planning and Production
- Business of Arts and Communications
- Branding, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship