Download the 2012 Boston Resident Application

Download the 2012 Alternate Application

Each summer, 400 students from communities throughout Massachusetts share a unique opportunity to participate in the DARTS program which provides both exploration and focus in the arts in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Participants are offered a range of disciplines (music, visual arts, theater, and dance), and each participant selects a particular art form and works in that discipline to develop and complete a project. In each arts discipline, students gain practical experience in a progressive curriculum that emphasizes performance, analysis/critical thinking, skills, multicultural, and interdisciplinary learning, as well as leadership and team building skills.

Afternoon field trips to outstanding arts institutions in the Berkshires complement the students' work in their workshops and introduce them to a broad spectrum of artistic expression. They may find themselves at Jacob's Pillow interacting with the resident dance company; at Shakespeare & Company or the Berkshire Theater Festival learning how a play comes together; at the Norman Rockwell Museum or Chesterwood Museum gaining insight into the vision of professional artists; or at Tanglewood meeting BSO musicians and conductors or attending a master class for musicians from the Tanglewood Music Center. In addition, the DARTS daily schedule includes creative writing sessions designed to enhance the understanding of the creative process. The week ends with a presentation that brings all of the students and the artistic disciplines together.

Students are selected by Community Coordinators in participating schools and communities.

If your family lives in Boston and/or your child attends a Boston Public School, please fill out the attached Boston Resident registration form. We have slots allotted for Boston Public School students in weeks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. We will place Boston residents who do not attend a Boston Public School beginning in April.

If your child does not live in a participating community or attend a participating school, s/he may be able to attend DARTS as an alternate. Please fill out the attached alternate registration forms and make sure to list the weeks your child is available to attend DARTS. If an opening becomes available, the Boston Symphony will contact you. Sometimes, a space opens up on short notice. The more flexible you are, the more likely your child will have the opportunity to attend DARTS as an alternate.

We will do our best to place all applicants in the DARTS program.