Location

London, England

Program Description

United Kingdom: Arts and Music is an award-winning program that places students with London, England arts organizations for four weeks of valuable professional experience. Students from the College of Visual and Performing Arts and students from other colleges with strong arts backgrounds will have the opportunity to experience one of the most exciting cities in the world while embedded with various London arts organizations.

CVPA is partnering with Creative Futures (UK) Limited to offer these international community music and arts practicum experiences. Led by Dr. Julian Knight, a past JMU Fulbright scholar-in-residence, Creative Futures is an innovative model for community arts education that offers meaningful opportunities for students. Each person will be placed with a host arts organization drawn from Creative Futures’ network of London partners that reflects their individual interests. Organizations from the 2025 program included Courtauld, Opera Holland Park, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, Music Masters, Ealing Music Service, and TriBorough Music Hub.

Creative Futures will arrange initial Zoom meetings for students with their arts organizations before departing from the US, host an Induction Session for all students on arrival in London, and facilitate a closing ‘Reflect and Review’ discussion at the end of the four weeks. Students will spend at least 20 hours per week working with their host organizations and engage in a broad range of activities to provide a rich and varied experience of the London arts scene.

Just a few of the positive statements from students who went on the 2025 program included:

“Being in this setting developed my experience as an art history student to think critically. This experience was transformative.”

“I was grateful to have access to so many free museums, historical sites, beautiful parks and gardens, and an international food scene in such a vibrant city. As a musician, I came away with a lot of inspiration and energy from attending many concerts and shows.”

“I loved this program and would 100% do it again. I already miss London and cannot wait to go back.”

United Kingdom: Arts and Music received the 2025 Catalyst for Transformation Award: Celebrating High-Impact Study Abroad Programs. This award goes to a study abroad program designed and successfully executed with a high level of experiential and engaged learning.

Students will enroll in one of the following courses:

• MUS 490: Special Topics in Music: Community Arts London (3 credits)
• MUS 690: Special Topics in Music: Community Arts London (3 credits)
• ART 475E: Community Arts London (3 credits)

Location Description

London has a thriving and vibrant arts scene and is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading cultural centers. Students will be placed with leading arts organisations in the city, and will have opportunities to also experience a number of cultural events, excursions and trips both in and outside the capital – all included in the Program Fee.

Director

William Dabback | dabbacwm@jmu.edu | School of Music

Accommodations

Accommodations will be provided for students through furnished apartments with internet access and full kitchen and laundry facilities.Three students will share a two-bedroom apartment. Housing accommodations are centrally located and public transportation is easily accessible.

Students will be allocated a weekly meal stipend that will cover approximately 14 meals per week. Most lunches and dinners will be provided as a part of the program. Students will have access to a full kitchen for breakfast in their apartments.

Additional Items to Consider

London is a city that requires a lot of walking, even when using public transport. A one-month “Oyster Card” (travelcard) will be provided which covers travel on the underground (“tube”) as well as London buses and “Overground” train services.

A full and valid passport is required, and an electronic travel authorization will need to be applied for well in advance. Students applying for this opportunity are recommended to ensure they have a valid passport as early as possible in the process. It is expensive to use US cell phones in the UK, unless connected to wifi. Students may want to buy a UK sim-card on arrival.

It is advisable to bring a suitable adapter to use for electrical items (such as phone/laptop) chargers. UK voltage is 240v. Before arrival in London, a background check will need to be processed to enable each student to participate in any events or programs involving children or vulnerable adults. 

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0.

Open to students in all class levels, including graduate students. Open to non-JMU students.

Preference given to students accepted to a College of Visual and Performing Arts major or a similar field at their home institution. Other students considered with a strong arts background.