CAPA College is one of the most exciting and innovative education providers in the North of England. Every year students from across Yorkshire and beyond flock to their corner of Wakefield to pursue their dreams of becoming the next Hollywood star, Oscar-winning filmmaker, director, choreographer, entrepreneur or creative.
Over two years of full-time study students (aged 16-19) achieve the equivalent of four A Levels, a portfolio packed with transferrable skills and all of the performance experience they need to progress to higher education and their chosen professional careers in Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, Production Arts or Media.
With an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating (Jan 2022), an alumnus in every major West End show, consistent 99% A*-C results, a ranking in the top 1% of all post-16 providers nationally for student progress, awards and accolades from the National Theatre, BBC, Sky TV and Arts Council England and almost 6 applicants for every place, CAPA College is a tour de force in Arts Education.
The college started in the corner of a Wakefield secondary school. After a long and tempestuous journey (marked by closure, redundancy and rally in the Houses in the Parliament), the newly invigorated College opened as Wakefield’s first (and still only) Department for Education funded Free School within Enhance Academy Trust in September 2018.
CAPA College is the only non-fee-paying, specialist Creative and Performing Arts College of its kind in Yorkshire or the North East.
In September 2022 CAPA College will move into new, purpose-built premises on Mulberry Way, Wakefield. Building work is complete and the new flagship Arts centre is equipped with some amazing internal spaces. It is, however, an empty shell.
The college are now seeking to raise £11,318 to purchase specialist teaching equipment to create a professional recording studio in the new home of CAPA College. The money raised will purchase cutting-edge technology, including a Mac Studio computer, Lewitt microphone and Blackmagic camera to enable students, community participants and visiting artists to record and disseminate their own vocal arrangements as well as explore new creative industries through sound production.
Claire Nicholson, principal says: ‘In the wake of the pandemic, the move towards digital arts has become an integral part of the performance and creative industries. This recording studio will help inspire the next generation of recording artists and enable our students and participants to be able to record professional tracks, audition tapes, showreels and music videos. We’re confident it will futureproof CAPA College for years to come and become an invaluable resource for artistic communities in the North.’
For more information or to donate to the CAPA College crowdfunding campaign visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/capacollege
