The SchoolTime Arts Program builds on the success of COCA's theatre and education programs by presenting nationally known performers from the COCA Family Theatre Series and by engaging local artists for an extended period of time to work in-depth with students and school teachers in the classroom.

COCA artist-instructors work with K-12 students during the school day to provide arts experiences ranging from one-time performances/workshops to long-term programming up to 18 months.

In addition to helping participating students develop technical proficiency and aesthetic understanding of a particular art form, the success of these programs is largely based on COCA's ability to work closely with each school's principal and faculty to customize residencies that meet the schools academic goals.

After-school classes in dance, music, drama, visual arts, circus, computer art, and literary art are provided within schools and community centers throughout St. Louis.

These programs not only teach students about a particular art form, but also provide discipline, stability, and self-esteem through arts participation.

The Art & Technology Program began as a small pilot program at Jefferson Elementary School in the summer of 1999. Since then the program has grown to offer classes after school and during the school day at five St. Louis City schools.

The purpose of the program is to foster literacy, creativity, and technological skills in children. The Art & Technology program offers well-structured and closely-supervised computer-based art instruction, with a low student-teacher ratio of 3 to 4 students per teacher.

The curriculum includes digital painting, image editing, book making, digital storytelling, photo manipulation and Power Point presentations.

The Pre-Professional Dance Program offers long-term, highly individualized dance training designed to prepare students for careers in dance.

The program identifies, recruits and trains students and includes a range of support services including scholarship assistance, transportation, academic tutoring, career counseling, dancewear, and opportunities for advanced summer study.

The program offers training opportunities such as classes in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, acting, African dance, and voice, as well as master classes with nationally-known teachers and performers.

COCA Pre-Professional dance students have continued their studies and/or careers at nationally recognized institutions such as Interlochen, The Juilliard School, SUNY Purchase, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the Houston Ballet.

The program is supported by the Surdna Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and individual donors.

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The Scholarship Fund ensures that access to arts experiences is available to students who may not otherwise be able to afford such programs.

Each year, the COCA Scholarship Fund administers approximately $150,000 in assistance to more than 400 students for classes and camps at COCA's University City site.

Valuing diversity as a source of vitality and strength for any dynamic community arts center, COCA attracts students from a variety of cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and family experiences.