Fine & Performing Arts


Mission Statement
Dorchester School District Two Fine Arts programs provide meaningful artistic experiences that foster community, creativity, and excellence for ALL students.
Vision Statement
The fine arts are composed of many art forms and are united by their engagement of human creativity.
They are unique tools of expression that allow all people to express feelings and emotions, connect with other times and cultures, and develop new insights.
The fine arts are intrinsic and in every individual; they are connected to the human spirit and the imaginative mind. The study of the fine arts actively engages students in the creative process. In each class, students have the chance to explore and investigate new ways of artistically stating who they are and what they feel.
The fine arts contribute to a child’s development and foster the skills of communication, creativity, and cognition. Education in the arts benefits the student because it cultivates the whole child, gradually building many kinds of literacy while developing intuition, reasoning, imagination, and dexterity into unique forms of expression and communication.
The fine arts – visual arts, music, theatre arts, and dance – are fundamental ways of knowing and thinking. Each fine arts discipline has its own components and skills, techniques, expectations, outcomes, and cognitive development. In DD2, we value the arts for the distinct and significant effect they have on the lives of our students. It is our hope that students will resonate with and support their chosen art interest now, and throughout their lifetime.
Gateway / GT Artistic Screening - Auditions
Gateway is a challenging 15-day program for artistically talented students in grades 3 through 5. It is held on five Saturdays throughout the school year and two weeks in June. Students are served in the areas of creative writing, dance, theatre arts, visual art, vocal music, and instrumental music. All students grades 3-5 currently residing in the DD2 attendance zone are eligible for this program!
Audition & Application Timeline:
- Application Registration: Applications open August 17. Deadline for application is August 28!
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In District Students will now register within the PowerSchool parent portal
- Out of district students will register by following the link below
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Out of District Student Registration is Here
- Students will receive their audition time electronically by September 4
- Audition Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Auditions will be held at Rollings Middle School of the Arts
- 1635 Beech Hill Rd, Summerville, SC 29485
- (Proof of residency is required at the time of audition for non DD2 students)
- Auditions will be held at Rollings Middle School of the Arts
- Results Notification: Sent via email week of September 21
All Audition information is located via the Gateway tab on the Fine Arts webpage
For questions or additional information, please contact the Fine Arts Department at 843-832-5532.
Rising 6th Graders
Learn more about Fine & Performing Arts preferences!

High-Quality Arts Education for All Ages
Our award-winning arts program provides students of all ages with a high-quality arts education that fosters creativity and self-expression. Students have the opportunity to develop their talents and showcase their abilities in events and performances.
With a team of highly qualified and experienced arts educators, our district's arts program offers a well-rounded curriculum that helps students build a strong foundation in the arts.


Arts Calendar

Jason Walsh
Director of Fine and Performing Arts
Ms. Natalie Ropp
Fine Arts Secretary