Besant Hill School || Fine/Performing Arts

It is right there in our Mission Statement. The mission of Besant Hill School is to foster the development of each individual’s intellectual and artistic abilities. BHS believes that in today’s world being literate in reading, writing and arithmetic is not nearly enough. To be truly literate, students must know and understand the world around them; to know how to relate and understand one another’s point of view and perspective; to be able to express their passions in and for what makes them tick; and to do it in an environment where a community celebrates our individual genius at each and every turn.

Where else is this possible but in an environment that places equal emphasis on the fine and performing arts as in other core college prep offerings? We believe that everyone has a desire to do art, and we aim to foster that ability in each student. The arts are explosive and passionate and the arts are everywhere at BHS, in the recording studio, in the ceramics and metal forging studio, the gallery or the dark room, or on stage in our beautiful 165 seat Zalk theatre. In fact, the arts course selections are as expansive and comprehensive as those in the finest liberal arts colleges.

With more than 30 offerings in music, performing arts, visual arts and digital arts, the arts at BHS involve the whole person and affect the whole community. Rich in artistic history, BHS has a long lineage of teachers who are professionals in the stage, film, music and visual art world in this country. Imagine being taught musical theatre by one of the stars of a national television show? Or learning guitar and jazz music from one of the area's greatest guitarists? Or performing on stage next to an actor you saw in a commercial or movie? You get the picture. Because of our location and proximity to Los Angeles and the town of Ojai, home to many writers, actors, directors, musicians and artists, we have a smorgasbord of guest artists.

Since its founding in 1946 BHS has always placed great emphasis on the importance of the arts and artists in our society. As the home of famed ceramicist Beatrice Wood (whose home and studio stands as a museum and art gallery to some of the most innovative and creative artists on the scene today) BHS continues to uphold creative expression as an essential component of the school experience. If art is your thing, you are home at BHS.