A woman with long braids, wearing hoop earrings and an apron, carefully sculpts and paints a large clay pottery piece in a studio setting.

A dancer in a white dress leaps gracefully across a stage with an orange background, her hair flowing and arms extended, capturing a dynamic moment in mid-air.

A young woman with long hair and glasses draws at an easel, wearing a white top and plaid pants, focused on her artwork in a bright, indoor studio.

A group of young women are singing in a choir, each holding black folders with sheet music. The lighting highlights one singer in the foreground, who appears focused and expressive.

A woman with long hair wearing a light blue sweater stands by a brick wall and a window, holding a camera up to her face as she takes a photograph.

A young woman wearing a patterned dress and shawl is smiling, lit by a spotlight against a black background.

Four young women play cellos in an orchestra, seated closely together on stage, wearing black outfits and focused on their music during a performance.

Arts

At Miss Porter’s School, students use the arts to express their unique ideas, explore new perspectives, and shape how they see themselves and the world.

At Porter’s, creative expression is both craft and catalyst. Students develop technical skills, artistic voice, and the confidence to take risks, collaborate and lead.

Four people pose artistically, casting dramatic shadows on a screen lit with overlapping blue and green lights, creating a vibrant and dynamic silhouette effect.

“Arts aren’t intimidating here. There’s no expectation about how ‘good’ someone should be, which really promotes creativity and trying new things.”

A person paints a landscape on canvas using a brush, referencing a photo held in their other hand. Various art supplies and paint tubes are on the easel.

“The arts have allowed me to explore and express my creativity!”

A young woman in a white dress performs a graceful dance pose outdoors, one arm raised and one leg extended behind her, with a building and trees in the background.

“I’ve learned that creativity isn’t separate from leadership or academics; it’s connected to how I think and problem-solve.”

Visual Arts

A close-up of a painter’s palette with mixed purple paint, blobs of blue, red, orange, and white, a paintbrush, and paint tubes on a wooden easel. A person in jeans stands in the background.

Study painting, photography, ceramics and much more—all while engaging with big questions and complex ideas.

Visual Arts →

Performing Arts

Explore diverse forms of storytelling—both on and off the stage—while building your confidence, resilience and artistry.

Dance

Sharpen your strength, stamina, coordination and flexibility while using movement as a powerful tool for storytelling and self-expression.

Two young women play cellos indoors. The focus is on the woman in front with dark brown hair and a light gray sweater; the woman behind her is blurred. Both appear concentrated on their music. Brick wall in the background.

Music

Advance your craft through personalized instruction in your chosen instrument and genre, and perform at events and showcases throughout the school year.

A person in a dark hoodie stands at a table with audio equipment, holding a walkie-talkie to their mouth. A spotlight creates their shadow on the wall behind them.

Theater

Develop a versatile toolkit of theatrical skills—from acting and directing to set design, script writing, costuming and more—while collaborating with peers to bring productions to life.

BRING YOUR VISION TO LIFE

Creative coursework and co-curriculars help each Porter’s student elevate their artistic talents and make their voices heard.

A woman with long hair works on an art project at a table in a bright room filled with plants and art supplies. Sunlight streams through the large windows behind her.

“I try to help students be aware of themselves when creating art—what their interests are, what they want to explore about themselves.” 

— Grier Torrence P'21, '23, former Visual Arts Director

A young woman with light brown hair plays the violin in an indoor setting, with two other musicians blurred in the background. A brick wall is visible behind them.

“The music program at Porter’s is a vibrant, collaborative hub where students build community, express themselves wholeheartedly, and grow as artists and individuals.” — Patrick Reardon, Director of Music

Bright art studio with large windows, wooden floors, easels, stools, and art supplies. A portrait painting of a woman is on one easel. Plants and shelves with materials line the walls.

"Olin is my favorite building on campus. The beautiful art studio instantly gives me a calm, joyful feeling." — Isabel ’26

A group of dancers in black leotards perform on stage under warm yellow lighting, moving gracefully in coordinated poses as an audience watches.

“Our entire faculty in the arts department are working professionals outside of school…Everything we do here sets our students up for success in their lives after Porter’s.”  — Alexandra London-Thompson, Theater Director

A woman with long curly hair operates a control panel backstage, focusing on a monitor, as two other people work beside her in a dimly lit room filled with electronic equipment.

“The arts programs at Porter's taught me to explore my creativity fearlessly and never be afraid to try new things.”  — Clara ’27

Two people in winter coats view colorful paintings displayed on a gallery wall. Painted vases sit on a white pedestal in the foreground, partly obscuring the view of the people and artwork.

“Whenever I paint, I think of my teachers and the spaces in which I've created. The feeling of trust and serenity in the studio classroom is what I always come back to again and again.”  — Naya '09

Arts Facilities →

Porter’s is home to studios, galleries, stages and rehearsal spaces where you can pursue your passions and push your skills to new heights.

A modern building with large glass windows and brick walls sits behind a patio with benches and tables, surrounded by green grass and leafy trees in spring. — Students come together in Hacker Theater to build a wide range of drama and performance skills and to stage a variety of plays, musicals and showcases throughout the year.

A brown stone and shingle house with a steep roof, arched doorway, and a streetlamp in front, surrounded by greenery and yellow flowers. Trees and sky are visible in the background. — Our historic music building is a warm and inviting space where you can develop your singing voice or refine your instrumental skills.

A dark gray building with white trim, columns, and sign reading The Gaines Dance Barn is surrounded by yellow flowers, grass, and shrubs. — The bright, spacious Gaines Dance Barn is where our students gather for dance rehearsals, workshops and performances.

Modern red brick building with large tall windows, a sloped roof, and a small covered entryway. The structure is surrounded by grass, trees, and a stone-lined path on a sunny day. — The Olin Arts and Science Center is home to our ceramics, painting and graphic design studios, as well as a darkroom and student gallery.

Three young women sit at a table in a bright studio, smiling and shaping clay mugs with pottery tools. Various clay pieces and supplies are on the table, and shelves are visible in the background.

CLUBS & CO-CURRICULARS

Explore dozens of clubs and co-curriculars—including visual arts, dance and music—and discover endless opportunities to find your people and fuel your creativity.

Learn More →

Visiting Artists, Writers, and Speakers

Artists, writers and speakers visit campus to share their creative process and perspective. Throughout the year, professionals bring their work on campus, take part in a schoolwide talk, and attend classes with students.