Beyond the normal events hosted at Lord Byng, the arts mini school offers additionally exclusive events that are more broad arts geared. "FAB" assemblies are guest performances held at the school by professionals in the Fine Arts community. Most of the time the guest performers are local artists but on occasion internationally traveling guests do appear. Originally known as "Fab Friday's" the performances were held after school once a month on Friday. However, in 2002 the consistent schedule of having them on Friday was replaced with a years calendar that could accommodate conflicting school events. Also, the school hosts an annual. Showcases of student work are put on display and several performances are presented by the theatre arts and music students. The gala includes an award ceremony, full course dinner, dance, and chess tournament.
Byng Arts Passport
Each Byng Arts students receives a "Byng Arts Passport" designed to record events that celebrate the arts: visual, literary, musical, and dramatic. Mandatory Byng Arts events such as the "fab" assemblies are also recorded. A rewards system is implemented through this passport where students compete for year end awards and prizes. The Byng Arts Passport was an idea to encourage students to participate, see, and support the fine arts.
History
November 2006, Mandatory VSB online test registration begins.
September 2004, the Literary Arts program expanded to include Grades 8 to 12.
September 2003, a Literary Arts discipline was introduced at the Senior level. This program included: Literature 12, Enriched English 11, and English 12AP.
September 2000, the program officially becomes Byng Arts Mini School.
September 1999, a Junior program is introduced.
Before September 1999, Byng Arts starts informally as a Senior program : Theatre Company, Honours Art, Concert Band, and Honour Orchestra.
Selection criteria
Students interested in the school undergo an extensive audition process. A Selection Committee begins by reviewing applications. Criteria such as previous arts experience and interest as well as the submitted cover letter, resume, and essay are overlooked. Those who pass the review stage are invited to audition at the school for their area of interest. Students interested in visual arts are asked to submit three well-chosen pieces of work spanning a variety of media. Literary Arts applicants are requested to submit five pieces of writing including at least one analytical and one creative work. The Selection Process has three distinctive steps: Application Review, Short List, and Auditions. Applications are reviewed and checked for: Eligible students will be added to a Short List if successful through the Application Review. The short listed students are notified of appointment times for testing, auditions portfolio assessments, skills assessments, interviews as appropriate. Students selected for Byng Arts are offered positions, and students on wait list are notified of their wait-list status.
Application dates
Complete the District on-line application in early December.
Complete the Byng Arts on-line application also in early December,
Submit the completed application package before Winter Break. The package includes:
Write the District-wide standardized cognitive skills test, writing sample, and mathematics test at a specified test centre,
Visual arts applicants only are required to submit other supporting documents as requested in the application package.
