Academics

Arts

Create. Perform. Make. Discover.

The Arts give you a place to find your voice, take creative risks, and discover what you are capable of. Through studio art, theater, music, and dance, students learn to express ideas, explore new possibilities, collaborate with others, and connect creativity with purpose.

Whether you are stepping onto a stage, working with clay, composing music, developing a photography portfolio, designing with CAD, or building in the MakerSpace, you learn that creativity is not about getting everything right the first time. It is about curiosity, experimentation, revision, and the courage to try.

Through performances, exhibitions, community engagement projects, competitions, museum visits, national projects, and collaborations with local businesses, you will see that your creative work has a place in the wider world.

Our Fine & Performing Arts program is designed to inspire creativity, develop technical skills, and help you reach your full artistic potential. Whether your passion lies in drama, music, dance, or the visual arts, our dynamic curriculum provides the tools, guidance, and opportunities to refine your craft, express yourself, and shine on stage, in the studio, or beyond.

List of 3 items.

  • Creative Confidence

    Arts education nurtures creativity, builds self-confidence, and encourages students to express themselves through meaningful artistic experiences.

  • Essential Skills

    Students strengthen communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities through engaging creative learning opportunities together.

  • Personal Growth

    Consistent artistic practice develops resilience, discipline, emotional awareness, and perseverance for lifelong personal and academic success.

Explore Our Creative Disciplines

At Chatham Hall, students are encouraged to explore across disciplines and discover new interests. You will develop artistic and technical skills while building the larger skills that matter everywhere: creative thinking, collaboration, communication, persistence, self-expression, and the courage to take risks.

The Arts also create a sense of belonging. A performance, rehearsal, studio, choir, exhibition, or collaborative project gives you a community within the larger Chatham Hall community. You will find people who share your interests and discover the joy of making something together.


Visual Arts

Chatham Hall’s Visual Arts program offers you opportunities to explore the relationship between media, concept, design, and the world around you. Through drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, printmaking, fiber arts, design, and interdisciplinary work, students develop visual literacy while learning to communicate ideas through their own creative voices.

In Art as Conversation, you will use the Robin Peake Stuart Collection as a starting point for research, dialogue, and exploration of larger global issues. Through Art & Design I–IV and Portfolio, you will build increasingly sophisticated skills, explore contemporary and historical artists, and develop original bodies of work.


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  • Photography

    From manual camera skills, composition, light, and color theory to digital techniques, exhibition, and independent work, photography students develop both technical skill and an individual artistic voice. As you progress through Photography I, II, III, and Photography Portfolio, students experiment with different techniques and aesthetics and develop original bodies of work.

  • Ceramics & Making

    Ceramics gives you an opportunity to work with their hands, experiment with materials, and connect traditional processes with contemporary ideas. Students also connect their ceramic work with national projects and local businesses, bringing their creativity beyond the classroom and into the broader community.


Performing Arts



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  • Dance

    The Chatham Hall dance program offers ballet, pointe, jazz, and contemporary dance. You will build strength, discipline, musicality, creativity, and self-expression while studying technique, choreography, and dance history. Each season culminates in a performance, giving students the joy, freedom, and sense of accomplishment that come with being on stage. You will dance, choreograph, design lighting, and more!

  • Music

    Music at Chatham Hall develops musicianship, creativity, discipline, and a deep appreciation for the role music plays in community.
    St. Mary’s Choir enhances Chapel worship while helping students develop healthy singing techniques, musicality, and an appreciation for a range of choral genres. Music Fundamentals introduces students to the building blocks of music through listening, composition, harmony, and music creation. Students can also pursue private piano lessons, developing technical and interpretive skills while exploring music history and theory.

  • Theater

    Theater at Chatham Hall is a place for experimentation, collaboration, and creative risk. Through the Fall Play and Spring Theatre Collaborative, you will explore live performance, dramaturgy, technical theater, design, production, devised work, audience interaction, and other forms of theatrical expression. All levels of experience and curiosity are welcome.

  • Winter Musical

    Each winter, you will bring together music, theater, and dance to create an engaging musical theatre production. You will also experience the many creative and technical roles that make a production possible, including stage management, choreography, lighting, sound, properties, and costume design.
The Arts at Chatham Hall extend beyond traditional studio and performance spaces.

Through Introduction to CAD/CAM, you will move from concept sketches to 3D modeling and production using tools such as Onshape, 3D printing, and laser cutting.

In MakerSpace: Materials and Processes, you will engage in the Design Thinking Process and work with vinyl, plastics, wood, metals, and composites. You will explore casting, 3D printing, laser cutting, screen printing, wood forming, and other processes while learning to plan, problem-solve, select materials, and consider cost alongside your peers.

The result is a creative experience that connects art, design, technology, engineering, and problem-solving.



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Art News


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Why Choose Chatham Hall Arts?

Read the highlights below to discover how our girls' boarding school arts program helps students grow creatively, academically, and personally in a supportive learning environment.


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List of 3 items.

  • Balanced Growth

    Arts education complements rigorous academics, fostering leadership, collaboration, resilience, and lifelong appreciation for creative expression.

  • Creative Opportunities

    Students explore diverse artistic disciplines through performances, exhibitions, workshops, and enriching hands-on learning experiences together.

  • Expert Mentorship

    Experienced arts faculty provide personalized guidance, encouraging students to refine talents while building creative confidence.

Join Our Girls Boarding School Arts Program

Discover an inspiring environment where creativity, confidence, and artistic excellence flourish every day. Chatham Hall's girls' boarding school arts program empowers students to explore their passions while building skills that support academic and personal success. Whether your interests lie in visual arts, dance, theatre, or music, you'll find opportunities to grow and excel. Contact us today to learn more, schedule a campus visit, or begin your admissions journey.



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Frequently Asked Questions

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • How does the girls boarding arts school support artistic growth?

    Students receive personalized instruction, constructive feedback, performance opportunities, and access to experienced faculty who encourage continuous artistic development.

  • What types of visual arts can students explore?

    Our girls' private school arts program includes drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, portfolio development, and independent artistic study.

  • Can students participate in more than one art discipline?

    Yes. Many students enjoy multiple creative outlets, allowing them to develop skills across visual arts, music, theatre, and dance throughout the academic year.

  • Are private music lessons available?

    Yes. Students can take private music lessons during the academic day with faculty members, private instructors, or through virtual instruction based on their interests.

  • Are dance classes suitable for beginners and experienced dancers?

    Yes. Dance instruction welcomes all skill levels, with opportunities for beginners to learn foundational techniques and advanced dancers to receive individualized coaching.

  • What opportunities are available for theatre students?

    Students can act, direct, assist with production, or participate in student-led theatre clubs while taking part in annual plays and musical performances.

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800 Chatham Hall Circle  •  Chatham, VA 24531
Main Phone
+1 434.432.2941  

Admissions Contact
+1 434.432.5516 • admissions@chathamhall.org

Boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12 in the Episcopal tradition.

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