Find a Performing and Visual Arts College Fair near you and go!

For any student with an interest in pursuing undergraduate or graduate study in theater, dance, music, or the visual arts, the Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) College Fair is a can’t-miss event. Learn about educational opportunities, portfolio days, audition and entrance requirements, admission and financial aid, and a lot more by meeting with representatives from colleges, universities, conservatories, festivals, and other educational institutions with specialized programs in the visual and performing arts.

Start with the 2013 Performing and Visual Arts Fairs calendar.

While there are a number of fairs, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) does a great job of providing well supported, Performing and Visual Arts Fairs across the country. The PVA fairs are a great opportunity for students and parents to interact with admission representatives from a wide variety of educational institutions with various programs in the arts. Locate the fair in your area and be sure to attend — it’s free and open to the public.

Philadelphia Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Hyatt at the Bellevue
Monday, September 23: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Boston Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Boston University, Fuller Building
Tuesday, September 24: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

New York City Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
Wednesday, September 25: 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Washington D.C. Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Sunday, September 29: 1:00pm – 3:30pm

Ft. Lauderdale Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center / Broward County Convention Center
Monday, September 30: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Atlanta Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Cobb County Center for the Excellence in Performing Arts
Tuesday, October 1: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

New Orleans Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center
Thursday, October 3: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Interlochen Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Interlochen Center for the Arts
Sunday, October 6: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

St. Louis Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Webster University, Grant Gymnasium
Monday, October 7: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Chicago Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Chicago High School for the Arts, ChiArts
Sunday, October 13, 1:00pm – 3:30pm

Minneapolis Performing And Visual Arts Fair
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Coffman Memorial Union
Monday, October 14: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Cincinnati Performing And Visual Arts Fair
University of Cincinnati, Tangeman University Center
Tuesday, October 15: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Denver Performing And Visual Arts Fair
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Thursday, October 17: 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Houston Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Rice University, Alice Pratt Brown Hall
Tuesday, October 22: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Dallas Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts
Wednesday, October 23: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Las Vegas Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Las Vegas Academy of the Arts
Thursday, October 24: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Los Angeles Performing And Visual Arts Fair
University of California, Los Angeles, Ackerman Union
Saturday, October 26: 1:00pm – 3:30pm

San Francisco Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Nob Hill Masonic Center
Sunday, October 27: 1:00pm – 3:30pm

Portland Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Portland Art Museum
Monday, October 28: 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Seattle Performing And Visual Arts Fair
Seattle Center, Fisher Pavilion
Tuesday, October 29: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Skip the lines at the fair by registering online.

Performing and Visual Arts Fair registration makes it easy for colleges and universities to follow up with you after the fair. By entering your contact information, academic interests, graduation year, and your high school, you will receive your own personalized barcode. Your barcode will be scanned to retrieve your information so you won’t have to fill out an information card at the fair.

Attending the fair and requesting information from multiple colleges and universities is much easier when you register by taking these simple steps.

1. Visit gotomypvafair.com
2. Click on the fair and city you wish to attend
3. Enter all required information and SUBMIT
4. Print the barcode and BRING it to the fair

Students and parents should register before attending the fair. Once you have your barcode, there is no need to stand in the registration line. You are all set to meet with college representatives!

Make the best use of your time at the fair.

Before you attend, take a little time to do some quick preparation to make the most of your experience at the fair.

• Visit the Performing and Visual Arts College Fairs Website for specific information about schools that will be participating, where the fair will take place, parking, and other logistical points
• Prepare a list of questions to ask recruiters: When is the best time to apply to your college? When and where are the auditions? What are the audition or portfolio requirements? What makes your school special? Etc.

Once you’ve arrived at the fair, here are some easy tips to make your time that much more effective.

• At the beginning of the fair, start at the tables that don’t have long lines so that you’ll have the time to get to all of the schools that interest you
• Introduce yourself and provide your specific area of expertise. This will allow college representatives to focus on how they can best help you
• It can get pretty noisy and difficult to hear with all of the conversations around you, so be sure to speak loud enough to be heard
• Find out the cost of education as well as any scholarship opportunities
• Have your parents or guardians listen in, particularly when financial figures are being discussed

After the fair, more questions will likely come up. Make folders with the materials from those schools that interest you most, and email the recruiters with any follow-up questions. Remember to have fun with the process, and you will find the school that is right for you!

This is the time to get a head start on college consulting. Learn all about ArtsBridge college counseling and see how former college deans of admissions are able to offer specialized guidance to bring out the best in every high school student of the arts.