Photo courtesy of TOArts.
New program builds a continuous pathway for young artists in Ventura County and beyond
THOUSAND OAKS — TOArts is launching the Junior Creators Conservatory, its first program designed specifically for middle school students, creating a new entry point for young artists to explore and develop their creativity.
The new program expands TOArts’ commitment to building a continuous arts pathway, from early exposure to pre-professional training, by offering students earlier access to mentorship, skill-building, and creative exploration. Designed for students not yet eligible for the high school-focused Creators Conservatory, the Junior Conservatory fills a critical gap in arts education at a formative stage.
The Junior Creators Conservatory is part of TOArts’ broader “from first five to first job” pipeline, which supports arts exposure, access and education across all stages of life. Students begin with early programs like Kids and the Arts, and can continue through the Youth Arts Leadership Academy, Creators Conservatory, and Artist Incubator for adult artists in all stages of their career
“TOArts is committed to support people from first five to first job and beyond, using the arts to foster creativity, build confidence, and develop skills that prepare individuals for success in any career.” said Niki Chopra Richardson, Executive Director of TOArts. “The Junior Creators Conservatory allows us to reach students earlier, helping them build confidence, develop their skills, and see what’s possible through the arts.”
Under the direction of Broadway veteran Julianne Godfrey, the program offers hands-on training across disciplines including movement, music, writing, casting, and performance. Students will work alongside professional artists in a collaborative environment designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and artistic growth.
“Working with young artists at the Creators Conservatory has allowed me to see how impactful even a day of arts education can be for their confidence and artistic voice,” said Godfrey. “Encouraging them to be both skilled and expressive is at the core of my work as an arts educator. I’m excited to do just that this summer with Junior Conservatory students so they can find ownership and authorship of their work long before entering the commercial arts industry.”
Applications for the Junior Creators Conservatory are due June 30. The program will take place July 13-17, at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. The high school-focused Creators Conservatory will follow, with applications due July 7 and programming running July 20-August 5 culminating in a public showcase at the Scherr Forum.
For more information or to apply, visit:
About TOArts
TOArts is the nonprofit fundraising and presenting partner of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks with a vision to make our community a place Where the Arts Thrive for All. TOArts delivers high-quality arts exposure, access and education to youth and world-class performances to the region, and provides vital support for local artists and nonprofit performing arts groups. For more information, please visit www.toarts.org, and follow TOArts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.