Since the inception of the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts, many other states have initiated similar programs based on this model, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania used it in developing its other Governor's Schools. The Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts takes place on the campus of Mercyhurst College where a faculty of arts practitioners gathers from Pennsylvania, the greater northeastern United States, and from around the globe to work with the Commonwealth's most artistically talented youth. Applicants are asked to demonstrate their knowledge, level of skill, and creativity by submitting work samples in each area. Students may apply in no more than two art areas and must submit complete applications in each, if choosing to do so. Costs and Commitment All classes and activities take place on the campus of Mercyhurst College in Erie which offers excellent facilities for all arts disciplines.
Field trips provide additional access to arts resources in the tri-state area.
Students live in supervised, gender-separate residence halls. Tuition, room, board, instructional materials, and costs of program activities are provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Education to students who are selected to participate. Families are responsible for students' transportation to and from the program, money for personal needs, and a residential life deposit which is returned if all conditions are met at the end of the program. Students are expected to remain on campus for the full five weeks of the program and to arrive promptly for all classes and program activities. Families may visit on designated weekends.