Gap Year Program

What a difference a year makes!

This in-person, full-day arts program is offered for the academic school year on a semester schedule.

Gap Year students can board in our residence hall or commute from home.

Classes run 8:45AM-5:00 PM M-Th, 8:45AM-4:00PM Fri.

Continue to explore your passion with ICON’s Gap Year Experience! The ICON Gap Year Program is designed for students looking to spend more time preparing to make the next step in their post-secondary educational journey.

ICON’s world-renowned faculty works closely with Gap Year students to achieve their dreams, whether that means preparing for college auditions or placement in professional companies.
Students may elect to pair ICON’s arts education with college courses of their choosing or concentrate solely on building their artistic portfolio and preparing for auditions or professional/college applications.
Upon completion of two semesters of ICON Gap Year programming, students receive a Gap Year Certificate of Performing and Visual Arts Industry Fundamentals with an Arts Area Specialization.

ARTS DISCIPLINES:

The ICON Gap Year experience offers 25+ hours weekly of private and small group coaching sessions and coursework in the areas of classical and contemporary dance, visual arts, vocal/percussive music and composition, theater/musical theater, and design & production.
Opportunities for collaboration within and across majors are built into our programming weekly, and our faculty is committed to facilitating interdisciplinary artistic projects with rich outcomes for every student-artist.
See here for more information about ICON’s arts disciplines.

GAP YEAR PROGRAMMING:

Individualized, in-person, one-on-one coaching
Support through all aspects of the college application and audition process including preparation and execution.
Assistance in building portfolios and audition recordings.
Exploration of a field of study before committing to a 4-year program
Showcases, masterclasses, and feedback from industry professionals to curate polished and authentic repertoire, portfolios, and relationships for future networking in student’s area of interest.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE:

At ICON, we cultivate the skills our students need to compete in the top 10% of artists entering college and/or other post-secondary artistic pursuits, opening doors to scholarship and professional opportunities.

Gap Year students will receive individualized training and advising for the college application process in their field or in their first steps launching into the business.

BOARDING at ICON

50% of students at Iowa Conservatory choose to live in our on-campus residential halls. While living away from home can be daunting, the boarding experience allows for students to have the unique opportunity to fully engage in our vibrant community, foster independence, and acquire valuable skills such as cohabitating with others. We are here to guide you through the journey of being a boarding student at Iowa Conservatory.

RESIDENCE HALLS

Residence halls are staffed 24/7 by residential assistants who provide support, guidance, and a sense of community to students. They ensure safety, check students in, and enforce campus policies. Our personnel also teach life skills to benefit students beyond their experience with us.

Beautiful apartment-style living complete with single, 2 or 3 bedroom units
Access to healthcare, counseling, and other medical/therapeutic needs
Classes and residential halls are within a 3 block radius
Full-time live-in residential assistants
Robust student life calendar
1:12 RA-to-student ratio

Welcome Home!

A private boarding and day performing and visual arts school serving grades 7-12 and postgraduate gap year.

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A private boarding and day performing and visual arts school serving grades 7-12 and postgraduate gap year.

Partnered With

Become an ICON insider!

Looking to be part of ICON's STAFF?

Follow Us

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