This curriculum, written in ten consecutive units will be offered to juniors and seniors in the Cesar Chavez High School’s Academy of Fine Arts, Communications and Media for the first time in the fall of 2005. The curriculum unit was designed to develop the emerging artist at the high school level into a literate young adult, ready to compete in the real art world. The topic expresses the idea that an artist has a place in society. This coursework is designed to develop skills and knowledge which are necessary for entrance into an educational program to study the arts or begin an arts related career. Students will participate in a variety of activities designed to develop skills in literacy; journal writing, essays for scholarships; article summaries; and letters of intent; resume writing and artist’s statements. Students will research the artistic achievements throughout history, great theorists’ views on aesthetics, art careers and their educational requirements, and programs of study in the visual arts along with their application requirements. Each student will prepare a competitive portfolio of 12 to 15 thematic works of art in preparation for scholarship opportunities. The seminar members will work together in small groups as well as individually, developing directories and resource banks. Participants in this seminar will plan and execute a juried art exhibition. Students involved in the seminar will explore the opportunities in the Houston art community by job shadowing and internships. This is a unique curriculum for high school students, in that it invites professionals from the Houston art community and its local universities to participate as guest speakers on a variety of topics that expand the students’ frame of reference on opportunities in the arts.