Ocean County students in grades 9-12 will now be able to participate in an award-winning program for gifted and talented students in the performing, visual and literary arts.

Students who are accepted into the program will be released from their regular school one afternoon a week to attend a 14- week term of classes beginning in February.

These advanced-level art courses will includeModernDance, Theatre Arts, Vocal and Instrumental Music, Photography, Creative Writing, Visual Arts and Film Making.

All of the courses are taught by New Jersey professional artists and will be held on the campus of Ocean County College. The program provides bus transportation for the students to and from their regular high school.

Students who successfully complete a course in the Arts High program can earn college credit as well as a fine arts credit toward their high school graduation. The program is open to all high school students in public or private schools.

Students are accepted into the program through auditions that will be held in December. The Ocean County Arts High program is administered by the Arts and Education Center, Matawan, in partnership with Ocean County College.

The Arts and Education Center runs similar programs inMonmouth County andMiddlesex County.

According to a press release, the program has garnered praise for the quality of instruction; it has received a Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education and was cited by the U.S. Congress for its contribution to the development of the cultural life of the community. More than 10,000 students have attended the Arts High or Arts Middle School programs since their inception in 1980.

Registration for auditions will begin in September. More information is available on the Arts and Education Internet website at www.ArtsHigh.net or by contacting Missy Peck by telephone at 732-742-1759 or by email at Missy@artsandedcenter.org.