The Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts (VPA) Program at Ernest Manning High School offers a dynamic and inspiring space for students to explore creativity, expression, and storytelling. From music, drama, and visual arts to film, digital media, journalism, and creative writing, VPA empowers students to learn by doing.
Our award-winning programs foster confidence, collaboration, and communication—skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Through hands-on experiences and professional-level productions, students develop their talents while building lifelong connections and creative problem-solving skills.
Whether students pursue careers in the arts or apply their creativity in other fields, VPA serves as a launchpad for future success. Join a vibrant community of artists, performers, and communicators—and become part of Ernest Manning’s proud legacy of creativity and innovation.
Visual and Performing Arts Includes
- Communication Arts: Film + Media Art; Graphic Design; Journalism (EMTV)
- Performing Arts: Drama; Advance Acting & Touring Theatre; Technical Theatre; Dance
- FineArts: Fine Art; Art AP: Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Sculpting
- Music: Band; Instrumental Band; Instrumental Jazz
- Leadership in the Arts: Drama, Film + Media Arts, Graphic Design, Visual Art, Music
Leadership in the Arts
Leadership in the Arts is a cross-disciplinary program encouraging critical thinking and creative, entrepreneurial, and innovative learning. This course will prepare students to continue participating and being leaders in the Arts regardless of their future careers. The Arts play important roles in shaping communities, culture and the economy. Leadership in the Arts extends disciplinary learning from Art, Drama, Creative Writing, Film and Music outside the walls of the school and builds an understanding of how students can continue to be involved in the Arts as professionals, community leaders and entrepreneurs. This course will have a strong community focus and will reflect local opportunities for the Arts.
Leadership in the Arts is designed to inspire students to become engaged thinkers who make discoveries through inquiry, exploration, experimentation and reflection. As students strive for personal success, you will balance your interests and abilities with a vision examining the community's needs. Collaboration is an integral part of this course. Investigating opportunities with artists, organizations, community leaders, and businesses is necessary for student growth and developing a personal identity as a future leader in the Arts. The Arts provide many opportunities for participation in a creative life in addition to being a practicing artist. Community leadership in the Arts is essential for cultural and economic growth. This course will support students in understanding the vast opportunities for lifelong involvement with the Arts.
Students must be enrolled with good academic standing in one or more of the following 30 Level / Advance courses: Art 30; Art 30A; Band 30; Concert Band 30; Drama 30; Film + Broadcasting, Advance; Graphic Design, Advance.
Student who have earned a minimum of 30 credits in one or more of the above 30 Level / Advance courses with competition of Leadership in the Arts 35 will receive a CBE Fine and Performing Arts Certificate.