Naperville, IL

(630) 243-5100

Same Programming, New Name! Academy of the Arts is now Illinois Conservatory for the Arts

Don't Miss It!

A Night of Broadway

Friday, February 21, 2025

High-level arts meets high-achieving academics.

Illinois Conservatory for the Arts is a non-profit educational institution in the Western suburbs of Chicago.

ICA is committed to providing high-level arts programming while engaging students in a comprehensive academic education. We believe that creativity and the quest for innovation fosters individuality–allowing the holistic development of each student.

Performing Arts

Dance
Music
Theatre

Visual Arts

Drawing
Painting
Ceramics & Sculpture

Media Arts

Graphic Design
Animation
Photo & Video

Arts Business

Entrepreneurship
Finance
Marketing

The School

The Pilot Program for ICA’s K-12 day school is launching Fall 2025.

At Illinois Conservatory for the Arts, our students will engage in a practicum of pre-professional arts training balanced with rigorous academics.

Applications will open Early Spring 2025 for a limited number of spots. Selected applicants will audition for ICA with placement for those accepted in Late Spring 2025.

The Studio

The Studio offers evening & weekend classes in Music, Dance, and Theatre for adolescents and teens.

There are four eight-week sessions that take place throughout the year.

Registration for The Studio is closed!

IMPACT

IMPACT is our week-long intensive proogram offered during summer & winter breaks for middle and high school students.

IMPACT brings top professional artists–from Broadway, TV & Film, the Dance Community, and beyond–to work with students on growing their skills. The week includes a trip to see a show in Chicago and wraps up with a showcase and reception for family and friends.

SUMMER • Jul 28-Aug 1, 2025 • On Sale Now!

Events

ICA hosts exciting, star-studded events throughout the year.

Illinois Conservatory for the Arts is committed to community engagement, outreach, and fundraising. Events include concerts, workshops, and community outings.

Our History

ICA is the dream of three educators who have seen the positive impact of an arts-integrated education on overall academics.

With their combined decades in arts education, our founders recognize that young artists often learn differently because they are multifaceted. ICA believes that fostering creativity in all areas of their school experience benefits a creatively-driven child, whether they aim for a profession in the arts or land in a fulfilling career outside of the arts.

PAST FACULTY PAST FACULTY PAST FACULTY PAST FACULTY PAST FACULTY PAST FACULTY

Ica... future in the arts path to a career world of possibilities dream becoming reality

ica...

Dream becoming reality
future in the arts
path to a career
world of possibilities
"Working with professionals who’ve done what I dream of doing was inspiring. ICA is a place where you feel supported and part of an amazing artistic community."​
Ally
Student
"My child joined ICA at a vulnerable time in her life and this program truly helped her gain self-confidence, overcome obstacles, become more self-aware, and find skills inside her that she never thought she would have."
Andreea
Parent

“ICA gave me the tools to grow as an artist and the confidence to enjoy creating theater. The welcoming community here is like no other.”

Leon, student

"ICA offers programming unlike anything in the Western Suburbs. I didn't realize that [my daughter] could work with so many high-profile professionals right in our area."
Carolina
Parent
"IMPACT really improved my confidence in how I act, sing, and dance.  I’ve made so many great friends and it just feels like one big family. It is my dream to come to the school at ICA."
Amira
Student

"ICA gave me the confidence to try new things and learn from amazing teachers. I wouldn’t have had this opportunity without the scholarship, and it’s changed my life.”

Nicolas, student

Key Supporters

These organizations are significant supporters of Illinois Conservatory for the Arts and the work we do.We appreciate your commitment to our students and furthering arts education for our community.

Nondiscriminatory Policy

Illinois Conservatory for Arts employs staff and admits students of any race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, gender, religion, and sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It doesn’t discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin, gender, religion, and sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.

DONATE TODAY!

Illinois Conservatory for the Arts is a 501c3 not-for-profit arts institution. Your support provides high-level arts experiences for students in the Chicagoland area.

Stay Connected with ICA!

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news, upcoming events, and exciting updates from the Illinois Conservatory for the Arts. Be the first to learn about performances, student achievements, and opportunities to support our mission of empowering young artists through innovative arts education.

JOIN THE INTEREST LIST

The Pilot Program for ICA’s K-12 day school is launching Fall 2025.

Fill out the form below to get on the official interest list and access the survey form. Applications will open in Early Spring 2025.

JOIN THE STUDIO INTEREST LIST

Evening & Weekend Classes
Individual Courses & Conservatory Tracks

Fill out the form below to get on the interest list for The Studio. We will update you with schedules and registration information as enrollment opens.

JULY 28 - AUGUST 1, 2025

Check availability

IMPACT is popular and fills up fast! You'll be forwarded to the registration form to grab your spot.

Justice Moore / Dance

JUSTICE MOORE is a New York based performer and choreographer. Growing up in Dallas, Texas, she trained in all styles at Next Step Dance Performing Arts Center. Upon graduating from Allen High School, she had the amazing opportunity to open Hamilton in Chicago as ‘The Bullet.’ She then went on to open the second national tour of the show and join the Broadway production. Moore had the honor to work on projects by Keone and Mari Madrid such as Once Upon a One More Time on Broadway and The Karate Kid: The Musical in St. Louis. She worked on seasons four and five of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” with choreographer Marguerite Derricks. She made her movie debut in Disney+’ Better Nate Than Ever, directed by Tim Federle and choreographed by Zach Woodlee, and her television choreographic debut in CBS’ “East New York.” She was the associate choreographer for London’s Fangirls (under Ebony Williams) and New York City Center’s production of Jelly’s Last Jam (under Edgar Godineaux). Never limiting herself to one side of the dance industry, she continues to keep expanding her community, training, and possibilities. She performed with Doja Cat for MTV’s VMAs, Tyla for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and Stray Kids for the 2024 Youtube Brandcast. She is currently in Broadway’s Sunset Boulevard starring Nicole Scherzinger. Moore has captivated audiences online and off through her story telling, choreography, and comedy. She hopes to continue exploring the many ways dance and storytelling can connect with humans of all avenues. Instagram: @justicemoore_.

Samantha Pauly / Voice

Samantha Pauly is a Grammy nominated and Drama Desk Award winning actress best known for originating the role of Katherine Howard in SIX the Musical on Broadway. She was most recently seen starring as Jordan Baker in the premiere of The Great Gatsby at Papermill Playhouse. In the summer of 2019, Samantha was hand picked by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jamie Lloyd to play Eva Peron in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s critically acclaimed revival of Evita on the West End. The production went on to receive nominations and wins at The Evening Standard Theatre Awards, the WhatsOnStage Awards, and the Oliviers. After returning to the U.S., Samantha went on to tour with SIX the Musical and made stops at The Citadel Theatre, The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts before landing on Broadway in the early spring of 2020. She has starred in many regional productions including Mimi inRENT, Betsy in Honeymoon in Vegas, Eva Peron in Evita, Jovie in Elf the Musical, and Amber von Tussle in Hairspray, to name a few. In 2018, Samantha joined the first national tour of Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell as Valkyrie, before an abrupt cancellation. Soon after, she was cast as Katherine Howard in the US premiere of SIX the Musical at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre for which she received a Joseph Jefferson Award. She also tours and performs her solo cabaret An Evening with Samantha Pauly, and has performed in NYC, LA, Chicago, and more. Samantha’s TV credits include: Chicago PD (NBC), and ads for Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Purina, and T-Mobile. Since her journey with SIX began, Samantha has also been seen and reviewed in The New York Times, Vogue Magazine, The New York Post, The Associated Press, andthe Washington Post.

Kara Lindsay / Acting

KARA LINDSAY Broadway: Wicked (Glinda), Beautiful (Cynthia Weil), Newsies (Katherine Plumber) Original Cast/ Fathom Events Film, Once Upon a Mattress (Winnifred Standby for Sutton Foster). National Tour: Wicked (Glinda), Little House on the Prairie (originated role of Laura). Paper Mill Playhouse: Newsies, Jolly Holiday, Little House…Prairie. Sacramento Music Circus: Singin in the Rain (Kathy Selden). NCT: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins). Kansas City Starlight: Cinderella (Cinderella). Kansas City Rep: Cabaret (Sally Bowles). 5th Avenue: Lone Star Love (Miss Ann Page). Geva: A Christmas Carol(Belle). Film: Wicked Movie Part One ensemble vocals. TV: “Murphy Brown”, ABC’s “Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong”, ABC’s “The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II”, Tony Awards, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. BFA Carnegie Mellon University. Huge thanks and LOVE to my family and to Stewart Talent/ Amplified. @karalindsay1

Maggie Spanuello / Casting

MAGGIE SPANUELLO (she/her/hers) works at Gray Talent Group as an Associate Agent on the Chicago On-Camera and Voiceover team after working as a director and music theatre educator for ten years in Chicago, Off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally. Selected credits include work at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Brightside Theatre, and Hope Summer Repertory. She was the Associate Director on the award-winning Off-Broadway Production of THE WOMAN IN BLACK (“Best Play Revival”-Off-Broadway Alliance Awards, “Critic’s Pick”-NY Times) and the US Tour (Royal George Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Pasadena Playhouse, Seattle Rep, American Conservatory Theatre) directed by Robin Herford.

JULY 28 - AUGUST 1, 2025

Check availability

IMPACT is popular and fills up fast! You'll be forwarded to the registration form to grab your spot.