New Freshmen
Power to shape society, spark innovation and move culture.
That’s what Peck School of the Arts offers every student artist. Attending an arts school embedded in a major research university means every student receives the support needed to positively affect, and engage, the wider community and the world. As entrepreneurs, students are challenged to explore sustainable solutions to current issues through innovation, artistry and community engagement.
Applying to the Peck School of the Arts is a two-step process. First, complete and submit your UW-Milwaukee application. Second, complete your Peck School of the Arts application. An audition or interview is required for our dance, music and theatre majors. Program specifics listed below.
Step 1: Apply to UW-Milwaukee
To receive communications through the Admissions process from Peck School of the Arts, make sure you select a program from our degree list when applying to the university.
Step 2: Apply to Peck School of the Arts
After being admitted to UWM, no further steps are required to be eligible for acceptance into the Department of Art & Design. However, admitted students interested in applying for scholarship aid should do so by December 15 for priority consideration.
Contact
art-admission@uwm.edu
To be considered for the Dance BA or BFA program, applicants must first be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, apply to the Peck School of the Arts and complete a successful audition. Applicants interested in department-level scholarships must complete requirements by March 1 for priority consideration.
NOTE: Applicants may submit twice per year. Transfer students must complete half their required dance credits in the Peck School of the Arts to earn their BA or BFA from UW-Milwaukee.
Application
Statement of Intent (minimum 300 words)
Upload a one-page pdf that describes how your interests and past experiences relate to your intended college choice and career path.
Auditions
During the 2021-2022 academic year, applicants will have the choice to audition in-person or by submitting audition videos.
In-Person
Dance auditions will be held in-person on the UWM Campus. Applicants can choose an audition date on the Dance Application. These auditions will include introduction to the faculty, tour of the facilities, technique classes in a variety of forms, performance of a one-minute solo, and question and answer session with the faculty. We will inform you of which technique classes will be included. Masks will be required of all visitors, in every studio.
Dates for *Spring 2022 and ‡Fall 2022 consideration
- Friday, December 3, 2021 *‡
- Friday, February 11, 2022 ‡
- Friday, March 11, 2022 ‡
- Friday, April 29, 2022 ‡
Digital Submission
For those students that are not able to make it to the UWM campus to audition, you can submit a Digital Audition. Applicants should record themselves in three videos: 1) a video of dancing in a technique class 2) another video of dancing in a technique class and 3) one solo performance.
Videos should be recorded in a studio or gym, not a residential space like a living room or bedroom (if at all possible). The videos can be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or a file sharing site like Google Drive or Dropbox. The links, plus related explanations and/or passwords, if not publicly shared, should also be included.
Contact
dance-admission@uwm.edu
After being admitted to UWM, no further steps are required to be eligible for acceptance into the Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres. However, admitted students interested in applying for scholarship aid should do so by December 15.
Contact
film-admission@uwm.edu
To be considered for the music BA or BFA program, applicants must first be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, apply to the Peck School of the Arts and complete a successful audition on principal instrument or voice. Applicants interested in department-level scholarships must complete requirements by March 1 for priority consideration. Upon acceptance to the university, students may declare a Music Minor without a formal audition or interview.
Application
Statement of Intent
Upload a 100-word statement describing your desired musical career and how studying at UWM will help prepare you.
Placement Exams
- Music Theory Placement Exam
All intended music majors are required to take an online theory placement exam. Although it is a requirement, this exam is for placement and will not impact your audition results. Applicants will receive an email a few days before their audition date with instructions and an invitation to take the exam. The exam is not required for music minors. However, music minors with theory experience are encouraged to take the exam for possible advanced theory course placement. - Piano Placement
Applicants with no prior piano experience should indicate this on the application. If you have prior piano experience, you will have the opportunity to perform a short composition to help place you in the appropriate course level. Compositions should be recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Videos should include two segments:- One piece hands together—classical in style, i.e., no original compositions, jazz, or pop music; no memory required
- Two scales—one major and one minor scale hands together, two octaves, with correct fingerings
Audition
All BA and BFA degree programs require an audition on principal instrument or voice. See Music undergraduate audition requirements for more comprehensive information. Applicants will choose an audition day on the Music Application. During this day, applicants will attend an orientation, a Department of Music student convocation, and meet with music faculty for their audition. The typical audition day starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends around 2 p.m. Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend. Presentations from Financial Aid, Norris Health Service, and University Housing will be offered.
Dates for *Spring 2022 and ‡Fall 2022 consideration
- Friday, December 3, 2021 *‡
- Friday, January 28, 2022 ‡
- Friday, February 11, 2022 ‡
- Monday, February 21, 2022 ‡
- Friday, March 11, 2022 ‡
- Friday, April 29, 2022 ‡
Contact: music-admission@uwm.edu
To be considered for the Theatre BA or BFA program, applicants must first be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, apply to the Peck School of the Arts, and complete a successful audition and/or interview with Theatre. Applicants may declare a Theatre Minor without audition or interview. See Theatre undergraduate audition requirements for more comprehensive information.
Required application materials vary by program and may include:
Resume & Statement of Intent (Required for all programs)
A one-page resume detailing your performance/production or teaching experiences and extracurricular activities, and an additional one-page statement describing how your interests and past experiences relate to your intended college choice and career path.
Letter of recommendation (Required for Production, Acting and Musical Theatre)
1-2 letters of recommendation from an instructor and/or employer familiar with your theatre or teaching experience and/or academic ability.
Digital audition (Required for Acting and Musical Theatre)
A performance you will record and submit with your Theatre application. Requirements vary by program.
Interview (Required for all programs)
You will be scheduled for an interview with a faculty member in order to share your motivation for pursuing this course of study and to answer any questions you may have. You may be asked to repeat your audition piece.
Dates for *Spring 2022 and ‡Fall 2022 consideration
- Friday, December 3, 2021 *‡
- Friday, February 11, 2022 ‡
- Friday, March 11, 2022 ‡
- Friday, April 29, 2022 ‡
Placement exams (Option for Musical Theatre)
Students with prior piano experience or music theory experience will have the opportunity to take placement tests prior to the start of the semester.
Contact: theatre-admission@uwm.edu
Transfer
UWM is the top transfer destination in the University of Wisconsin System.
Applying to the Peck School of the Arts is a two-step process. First, complete and submit your UW-Milwaukee application. Second, complete your Peck School of the Arts application. An audition or interview is required for our dance, music and theatre majors. Program specifics listed below.
If you attended a UW System school or Wisconsin Technical College, and would like to begin to evaluate how your courses may transfer, you can use the Transfer Information System or utilize the Transfer Equivalency Database. More information available on UWM’s transfer page.
Step 1: Apply to UW-Milwaukee
Congratulations on taking this next step toward a rewarding career in the arts! As a transfer student, you should apply to UWM by using the UW System application at the link below.
To receive communications through the Admissions process from Peck School of the Arts, make sure you select a program from our degree list when applying to the university.
Step 2: Apply to Peck School of the Arts
After being admitted to UWM, no further steps are required to be eligible for acceptance into the Department of Art & Design. However, admitted students interested in applying for scholarship aid should do so by December 15 for priority consideration.
Contact
art-admission@uwm.edu
To be considered for the Dance BA or BFA program, applicants must first be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, apply to the Peck School of the Arts and complete a successful audition. Applicants interested in department-level scholarships must complete requirements by March 1 for priority consideration.
NOTE: Applicants may submit twice per year. Transfer students must complete half their required dance credits in the Peck School of the Arts to earn their BA or BFA from UW-Milwaukee.
Application
Statement of Intent (minimum 300 words)
Upload a one-page pdf that describes how your interests and past experiences relate to your intended college choice and career path.
Auditions
During the 2021-2022 academic year, applicants will have the choice to audition in-person or by submitting audition videos.
In-Person
Dance auditions will be held in-person on the UWM Campus. Applicants can choose an audition date on the Dance Application. These auditions will include introduction to the faculty, tour of the facilities, technique classes in a variety of forms, performance of a one-minute solo, and question and answer session with the faculty. We will inform you of which technique classes will be included. Masks will be required of all visitors, in every studio.
Dates for *Spring 2022 and ‡Fall 2022 consideration
- Friday, December 3, 2021 *‡
- Friday, February 11, 2022 ‡
- Friday, March 11, 2022 ‡
- Friday, April 29, 2022 ‡
Digital Submission
For those students that are not able to make it to the UWM campus to audition, you can submit a Digital Audition. Applicants should record themselves in three videos: 1) a video of dancing in a technique class 2) another video of dancing in a technique class and 3) one solo performance.
Videos should be recorded in a studio or gym, not a residential space like a living room or bedroom (if at all possible). The videos can be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or a file sharing site like Google Drive or Dropbox. The links, plus related explanations and/or passwords, if not publicly shared, should also be included.
Contact
dance-admission@uwm.edu
After being admitted to UWM, no further steps are required to be eligible for acceptance into the Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres. However, admitted students interested in applying for scholarship aid should do so by December 15.
Contact
film-admission@uwm.edu
To be considered for the music BA or BFA program, applicants must first be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, apply to the Peck School of the Arts and complete a successful audition on principal instrument or voice. Applicants interested in department-level scholarships must complete requirements by March 1 for priority consideration. Upon acceptance to the university, students may declare a Music Minor without a formal audition or interview.
Application
Statement of Intent
Upload a 100-word statement describing your desired musical career and how studying at UWM will help prepare you.
Placement Exams
- Music Theory Placement Exam
All intended music majors are required to take an online theory placement exam. Although it is a requirement, this exam is for placement and will not impact your audition results. Applicants will receive an email a few days before their audition date with instructions and an invitation to take the exam. The exam is not required for music minors. However, music minors with theory experience are encouraged to take the exam for possible advanced theory course placement. - Piano Placement
Applicants with no prior piano experience should indicate this on the application. If you have prior piano experience, you will have the opportunity to perform a short composition to help place you in the appropriate course level. Compositions should be recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Videos should include two segments:- One piece hands together—classical in style, i.e., no original compositions, jazz, or pop music; no memory required
- Two scales—one major and one minor scale hands together, two octaves, with correct fingerings
Audition
All BA and BFA degree programs require an audition on principal instrument or voice. See Music undergraduate audition requirements for more comprehensive information. Applicants will choose an audition day on the Music Application. During this day, applicants will attend an orientation, a Department of Music student convocation, and meet with music faculty for their audition. The typical audition day starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends around 2 p.m. Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend. Presentations from Financial Aid, Norris Health Service, and University Housing will be offered.
Dates for *Spring 2022 and ‡Fall 2022 consideration
- Friday, December 3, 2021 *‡
- Friday, January 28, 2022 ‡
- Friday, February 11, 2022 ‡
- Monday, February 21, 2022 ‡
- Friday, March 11, 2022 ‡
- Friday, April 29, 2022 ‡
Contact: music-admission@uwm.edu
To be considered for the Theatre BA or BFA program, applicants must first be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, apply to the Peck School of the Arts, and complete a successful audition and/or interview with Theatre. Applicants may declare a Theatre Minor without audition or interview. See Theatre undergraduate audition requirements for more comprehensive information.
Required application materials vary by program and may include:
Resume & Statement of Intent (Required for all programs)
A one-page resume detailing your performance/production or teaching experiences and extracurricular activities, and an additional one-page statement describing how your interests and past experiences relate to your intended college choice and career path.
Letter of recommendation (Required for Production, Acting and Musical Theatre)
1-2 letters of recommendation from an instructor and/or employer familiar with your theatre or teaching experience and/or academic ability.
Digital audition (Required for Acting and Musical Theatre)
A performance you will record and submit with your Theatre application. Requirements vary by program.
Interview (Required for all programs)
You will be scheduled for an interview with a faculty member in order to share your motivation for pursuing this course of study and to answer any questions you may have. You may be asked to repeat your audition piece.
Dates for *Spring 2022 and ‡Fall 2022 consideration
- Friday, December 3, 2021 *‡
- Friday, February 11, 2022 ‡
- Friday, March 11, 2022 ‡
- Friday, April 29, 2022 ‡
Placement exams (Option for Musical Theatre)
Students with prior piano experience or music theory experience will have the opportunity to take placement tests prior to the start of the semester.
Contact: theatre-admission@uwm.edu
Graduate
A graduate education at UWM is more than just a degree. It’s an experience.
Whether you are interested in a professional master’s degree or advancing your career with a certification, you can be confident in knowing that we are just as committed to your education as you are.
Prospective graduate students must complete and submit an application to UWM’s Graduate School.
Have questions about the admission process?
Contact: Nicole Ridgway, ridgwayn@uwm.edu or (414) 229-6053
Prospective graduate students must complete and submit an application to UWM’s Graduate School.
Have questions about the admission process?
Contact: Daniel Burkholder, burkhol6@uwm.edu, or (414) 229-2648
Prospective graduate students must complete and submit an application to UWM’s Graduate School by January 15th.
The most substantive parts of the application include work samples (see below), a written statement of intent, and curriculum vitae.
- Time-Based Maker Work Samples
Submit URLs and passwords (if password protected) for two time-based work samples. If a work is longer than 20 minutes, please submit a URL for an excerpt of 5–10 minutes along with a URL to the full piece. With each URL, please include title of sample, total running time, year of production, and a clear indication of your role in the work. - Multi-Media Maker Work Samples
Submit a URL to one time-based work, and documentation for two additional works (installation, sculpture, performance, etc.). For each non-time-based work, please submit at least one still image. However, if the work is better represented by multiple stills, you may add up to 10 per work. With each work, please include title of sample, total running time, year of production, and a clear indication of your role in the work.
Have questions about the admission process?
Contact: film-grad-admission@uwm.edu
Before beginning your application to UWM’s Graduate School, please review your specific major’s audition and admission requirements below:
Have additional questions about the admission or audition process?
Contact: Tim Noonan, tpnoonan@uwm.edu or (414) 229-2286
Certification
Do you already hold a bachelor’s degree, but want to complete an additional undergraduate certification program?
Peck School of the Arts offers certification in three areas: Art Education (EC-A), Music Education (EC-A), and Theatre Education (EC-A). The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program is available for those who already hold an undergraduate degree in the corresponding content-specific area, and graduated with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. If you do not hold the corresponding content-specific undergraduate degree, you must instead apply as a second-degree seeking student.
All interested applicants are required to meet face-to-face with their future department area head prior to submitting the university application. To apply, first review the list of required materials below.
Important Deadlines:
Dec 15 for admission the following Spring/Summer
July 15 for admission the following Fall
Step 1: Peck School of the Arts Evaluation
Schedule Interview
Art Education | Email Liz Rex at rex@uwm.edu
-Requires visual arts undergraduate degree
-Portfolio review and discussion of prior undergraduate studies
Music Education | Email Sheila Feay-Shaw at feayshaw@uwm.edu
-Requires music undergraduate degree
-Primary instrument, piano, and sight-singing auditions
Theatre Education | Email Ralph Janes at janes@uwm.edu
-Requires theatre undergraduate degree or equivalent (subject to transcript review)
-Review related professional and educational experiences
Mail Official Transcript
Obtain official transcripts from all institutions of higher education, technical colleges, schools, and programs (except UWM) and send to the address below. The transcripts should bear an official embossed seal and remain unopened/untampered in the institution’s original envelope. If you attended UWM, you may submit unofficial transcripts.
UWM Peck School of the Arts
Assistant Dean, Student Services
Theatre Building Rm 120
2400 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
Submit Interview Materials
Portfolio (Art & Design only)
Upload a single PDF including 10-15 examples of your artwork representative of the breadth and depth of prior undergraduate studies. Identify each image by media, size, and year of completion.
Resume
Upload a resume that includes your educational background, work experience, special talents/skills, and other relevant experience with children. Do not exceed two pages.
Unofficial Transcript
Upload copies of unofficial transcripts from all institutions of higher education, including technical colleges, schools, and programs (except UWM).
Education License (if applicable)
Upload copies of Wisconsin or Out-of-State Education License(s).
Stipulations Letter (if applicable)
Upload any documentation that you may have received from DPI concerning any stipulations or license renewals that may pertain to your application or program requirements.