Artistic Gifted & Talented

The BCSD Artistic Gifted & Talented (AGT) program recognizes students in 3rd through 12th grade who demonstrate exceptional artistic talent in dance, theater, instrumental music, vocal music, and/or visual arts. AGT provides opportunities for enrichment, artistic growth, and advanced learning experiences through Visual and Performing Arts programs at the school and district levels.

Students identified as Artistic Gifted and Talented retain that designation throughout their school career and do not have to participate in the screening process each year. AGT students may also have opportunities to participate in district arts experiences such as Sea Island School of the Arts (SISA), an annual summer arts program that allows gifted arts students to learn, create, and collaborate with other students who share their artistic interests.

The AGT identification and selection process begins with a referral, followed by an audition or portfolio screening, and concludes with identification and placement.

The Student Referral & Screening Process Now Open!

The Referral and Screening process is offered to BCSD students in grades 2-11 with artistic aptitude and creativity in dance, theater, instrumental music, vocal music, and/or visual arts.

Important Dates

Referral Window: September 10-28, 2026
Screening Window: October 12-November 20, 2026
(Screenings will take place during the school day at the student's home school.)
Notification of Results: December 18, 2026

Click below for informational flyer pdfs.

The Referral & Screening Process Steps

1. Complete the Artistic Gifted and Talented Referral Form.

The referral window has now closed.

The referral form may be completed by a parent/guardian, teacher, administrator, or the student. Teachers completing the referral are not required to be district employees; private arts instructors may also refer students for AGT screening.
Referrals must be completed between Sept. 10, 2026, and Sept. 28, 2026.
Students may be referred and screened for more than one artistic area if they demonstrate artistic aptitude or potential in more than one discipline . Each discipline will be evaluated using its own screening requirements and assessment criteria.
Referral does not guarantee placement in the AGT Program as this is the first step in the process.

2. Prepare audition, demonstration, or portfolio materials for in-person screening.

3. Attend screening during the school day at student’s home school.

Screenings will be held Oct. 12 through Nov. 20, 2026. Be sure to come prepared (see above)! Students must have a completed a Referral Form and specific Audition Materials to participate. Each student will be evaluated based on evidence of high artistic performance and assessment criteria and scoring rubrics aligned with state-recommended guidelines.

View In-Person Screening Requirements | Requisitos para estudiantes con talento y aptitud artística for details.

Each screening includes:

Performance of a prepared piece of music, dance, or monologue (performing arts) or a portfolio review of four specific pieces (visual arts.)
Performance of unfamiliar music, choreography, or improvisation (performing arts) or a still life drawing (visual arts).
Interview with a panel of judges.

The exact screening schedule will be posted soon!

Students identified as Artistic Gifted and Talented will be notified by December 18, 2026.

Should I Refer A Student for AGT?

Characteristics to Consider

Characteristics to Consider

Educators, parents/guardians, and other individuals familiar with the student’s artistic development may consider the characteristics below when considering a student for referral.

High-quality artistic work in one or more arts disciplines.
Commitment and sustained engagement in artistic tasks and activities.
Strong interest and involvement in the arts.
Willingness to explore artistic problems, ideas, techniques, or approaches.
Originality and independent thinking in artistic expression and decision-making.
Creative thinking and problem-solving when developing artistic work.
Independent exploration of the arts, including engagement with an artistic discipline beyond required classroom experiences.
Thorough observation and attention to artistic detail.
Ability to elaborate on and develop ideas through artistic work.

These characteristics are considered collectively as part of the referral process. Students are not required to demonstrate every characteristic in order to be referred. The screening process provides an additional opportunity for students to demonstrate their artistic aptitude, potential, and performance.

More About the Artistic Gifted & Talented Program

Purpose of Artistic Gifted and Talented Identification

Purpose of Artistic Gifted and Talented Identification

The South Carolina Department of Education identifies the purposes of artistic gifted and talented identification as follows:

“The purposes of identification are (1) to find students who display talent beyond that of their peers in one or more artistic areas (dance, music, theatre, and visual arts); (2) to assess the aptitudes, attributes, potential, interests, and artistic behaviors of each student; and (3) to evaluate each student for the purposes of referral.”

In accordance with South Carolina Department of Education Regulation 43-220, students referred for artistic gifted and talented screening should demonstrate artistic potential to function at a high performance level in one or more of the fine arts: dance, music, theatre, and/or visual arts.

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