Home - Illinois Conservatory for the Arts

High-level arts meets high-achieving academics.

Academy of the Arts is a non-profit educational institution in the Western suburbs of Chicago.

The Academy

Academy of the Arts is a non profit educational institution in the Western suburbs of Chicago where high-level arts meets high-achieving academics. Academy of the Arts is committed to providing high-level arts programming while engaging students in a comprehensive academic education. We believe that creativity and the quest for innovation fosters individuality–allowing the holistic development of each student.

Artistic Areas

Performing Arts (Dance, Music, Theatre)
Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture)
Media Arts (Graphic Design, Animation, Photo, Video)
Arts Business (Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing)

The School

The Pilot Program for our K-12 day school is launching Fall 2025. Applications will open Early Spring 2025 for a limited number of spots. Selected applicants will audition for Academy of the Arts with placement for those accepted in Late Spring 2025.

The Studio

The Studio offers evening + weekend classes for adolescents, teens and adults. There are 2 14-week sessions each year which offer a variety of Individual Courses as well as curated Conservatory Tracks.

IMPACT

IMPACT is our week-long intensives offered throughout the summer and winter breaks for middle and high school students. IMPACT brings professional artists at the top of their field to work with students on growing their skills. The week includes a trip to Chicago to see a show and wraps up with a showcase and reception for family and friends.

Events

Academy of the Arts hosts exciting, star-studded events throughout the year for community engagement, outreach and fundraising. These include concerts, workshops and community outings.

Our History

The Academy of the Arts is the dream of three educators who have seen the positive impact of an arts-integrated education on overall academics. With their combined decades in arts education, our founders recognize that young artists often learn differently and fostering their creativity in all areas of their school experience can benefit the whole child, whether or not they aim for a profession in the arts.

Student Wins

Sammy was signed by one of Chicago’s biggest talent agencies after being seen in our showcase

Danny was able to take class with his idol, TikTok star JJ Niemann.

Layla was invited to audition for Les Miserables in NYC after working with a top casting director in our classes

Joshua was invited to join the cast of CHILDREN OF EDEN in Chicago

Giovanni was hand-picked to be seen by one of Chicago’s biggest talent agencies

Alex was signed by one of Chicago's top agencies.

Previous Faculty

Chawntá Van

Professional Dancer
LIZZO

Taylor Louderman

Tony-Nominated Best Actress
MEAN GIRLS

Merri Sugarman

Broadway Casting Director
TARA RUBIN CASTING

Judith Franklin

Broadway Actress
TINA, SUMMER

Erika Henningsen

Broadway Actress
MEAN GIRLS

Justin Prescott

Broadway Actor
FUNNY GIRL

JJ Niemann

TikTok Star / Broadway Actor
THE BOOK OF MORMON

Galen J Williams

Broadway Actor
SLAVE PLAY, MOTOWN

Abby Mueller

Original Broadway Cast
SIX, BEAUTIFUL

Fana Tesfagiorgis

Broadway Dancer
MY FAIR LADY, AILEY

Samantha Pauly

Original Broadway Cast
SIX on Broadway

Zonya Love

Broadway Performer
BEETLEJUICE, THE COLOR PURPLE

OUR MISSION

The Academy of the Arts is committed to providing a high-level arts curriculum while engaging students in a rigorous academic education. It is our belief that creativity and the quest for innovation will foster individuality, allowing the holistic development of each artist.

OUR VISION

Building artists to engage in a practicum of pre-professional arts training balanced with rigorous academics.

We Are Committed To Providing

Access

to our educational programming to any students that possess the skills to attend our program regardless of their background

Scholarships

to a significant percentage of the student body based on financial need

Inclusivity

to students and faculty from all backgrounds

Diversity

in our student population, focusing on a wide geography encompassing the Western Suburbs

Core Values

Designing a multitude of opportunities for students to create and explore

Supporting students to discover their fullest potential

Developing independence and being responsible to giving back to the artistic community

Educating to recognize and acknowledge barriers that prevent learning for all while striving to provide just treatment and opportunity for each of our unique artists

Teaching students the art of discovery with unique techniques, opportunities, and experiences

Providing students opportunities to actively and conscientiously engage in the artistic
community

Key Supporters

These organizations are significant supporters of Academy of the Arts and the work we do.
We appreciate your commitment to our students and furthering arts education for our community.

Nondiscriminatory Policy

Academy of the Arts employs staff and admits students of any race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, gender, religion, and sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It doesn’t discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin, gender, religion, and sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.

Naperville, IL

(630) 243-5100

Same Programming, New Name! Academy of the Arts is now Illinois Conservatory for the Arts

what's happening

impact • june 10–14

impact • August 5–9

High-level arts meets high-achieving academics.

The Academy

Artistic Areas

The School

The Studio

IMPACT

Events

Our History

Student Wins

Previous Faculty

Chawntá Van

Taylor Louderman

Merri Sugarman

Judith Franklin

Erika Henningsen

Justin Prescott

JJ Niemann

Galen J Williams

Abby Mueller

Fana Tesfagiorgis

Samantha Pauly

Zonya Love

OUR MISSION

OUR VISION

We Are Committed To Providing

Access

Scholarships

Inclusivity

Diversity

Core Values

Key Supporters

Nondiscriminatory Policy

High-level arts meets high-achieving academics.

naperville, illinois • copyright 2024 illinois conservatory for the arts. all rights reserved.

session 1 • june 10–14, 2024

session 2 • August 5–9, 2024

Check availability

IMPACT is popular and fills up fast! You'll be forwarded to the registration form to grab your spot.

JOIN THE FALL 2024 INTEREST LIST

Evening & Weekend ClassesIndividual Courses & Conservatory Tracks

Fill out the form below to get on the interest list for The Studio: Fall 2024. We will update you with schedules and registration information mid-summer.

JOIN THE INTEREST LIST

The Pilot Program for ICA’s K-12 day school is launching Fall 2025.

Fill out the form below to get on the official interest list and access the survey form. Applications will open in Early Spring 2025.

High-level arts meets
high-achieving academics.

Evening & Weekend Classes
Individual Courses & Conservatory Tracks