West Virginia
West Virginia Wesleyan College to keep Governor’s School for the Arts through 2030
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West Virginia Wesleyan College will continue to inspire the state’s next generation of artists after being selected to host the West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts for another three-year cycle, extending the partnership through 2030.
The college first hosted the Governor’s School for the Arts from 2014 to 2016, and the program returned in 2024 for a three-year cycle. The announcement marks a continued partnership between the college and one of the state’s premier educational enrichment programs for talented young artists.
West Virginia Wesleyan College President James Moore, the college’s 20th president, came to the college in 2006 as director of jazz ensembles, where he built one of the most vibrant collegiate jazz programs in the region. Today, that jazz program is under the direction of Adam Loudin ’07, who studied under Moore and is continuing the tradition.
Moore said, “We are thrilled and honored that we have been trusted with another three years of this amazing program. This College has always been one that’s valued the arts, and it’s what brought me here in 2006 as a young faculty member. We see the value in these students and know that they need to be supported by an institution that understands that the contributions of artists are among the most valuable to society. West Virginia Wesleyan College is most certainly that place.”
A transformative, free-of-charge program, the Governor’s School for the Arts invites current sophomores interested in expanding their artistic talents and experiences in digital art/media, creative writing, dance, instrumental music, studio art, theatre arts and vocal music to apply. The state of West Virginia covers the costs of the program.
The announcement comes at a time when West Virginia Wesleyan College continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to the creative and performing arts. This fall, the college will welcome approximately 60 students in creative and performing arts, including several who attended the Governor’s School for the Arts in 2024. Overall, the college has welcomed more than 160 creative artists across the last three incoming cohorts, and 11% of students study creative arts.
Sophomores can apply at the West Virginia Governor’s Schools website once applications open in the 2026-2027 academic year.