CAPA Registration

Pittsburgh CAPA 6–12 is a Creative and Performing Arts Magnet School located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Downtown Cultural District. The mission of Pittsburgh CAPA 6–12 is to provide students in grades 6–12 who excel in the arts with a comprehensive academic program rooted in a superior quality arts education experience that encourages excellence and success in their personal development as artists and cultural leaders.

The application for the 2026-27 school year opened on Saturday, January 17. Visit the magnet website for more information about the application timeline and process. Applications are due by 5 pm on Friday, February 13, 2026 for students to be considered for first-round auditions.

• The annual CAPA Recruitment Open House was held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 9 am - noon. Click here to view the flyer.
• Audition preparation workshops are planned for the morning of Saturday, February 7. Click here to view the flyer. The workshops will be held at CAPA. Details by department are below:
  • Dance: 8  - 11 am
  • Instrumental Music: 9 am - noon
  • Literary Arts: 8  - 10 am
  • Piano: 9 am - noon
  • Production Technology: 8  - 11 am
  • Theatre: 9 - 10 am & 11 am - noon
  • Visual Arts: 8 - 10 am
  • Vocal Music: 9 - 10:30 am
• Auditions for qualifying applicants will take place on the afternoon of Friday, February 20 and the morning of Saturday, February 21, 2026. Applicants will receive an Audition Ticket with details via email.

Visit https://www.pghschools.org/magnet to learn more about the online magnet application process.

All applicants to Pittsburgh CAPA are required to submit an essay with their application.  Essays are submitted via the online magnet application. Learn more about the essay requirement by clicking here CAPA Application Essay Requirements for the 2026-27 School Year.

All applicants to Pittsburgh CAPA are also required to obtain an artistic recommendation from an adult who can attest to their artistic skill and background. Artistic recommendations are submitted online using this form.

• This document shows how to request an artistic recommendation, for applicants. Requesting an Artistic Recommendation Form (for applicants)
• This document shows how to complete an artistic recommendation, for recommenders. Completing an Artistic Recommendation Form (for recommenders)

Acceptance to Pittsburgh CAPA is determined by an audition process. Audition details by art form for all art forms are in this document CAPA Audition Requirements by Art Form for the 2026-27 School Year. 

Please visit each department page for information about anticipated space.

Additional information regarding auditions is posted on the department pages linked below. 

Dance | Contact Person Ms. Morton emorton1@pghschools.org

Instrumental Music| Contact Person  Ms. Abadilla aabadilla1@pghschools.org

Literary Arts| Contact Person Ms. Bosser ebosser1@pghschools.org

Piano| Contacts Mr. Kurutz jkurutz1@pghschools.org & Ms. Aline Fink afink1@pghschools.org

Pro Tech | Contact Person Mr. DeLeone pdeleone1@pghschools.org 

Theatre| Contact Person Mr. Fuller mfuller1@pghschools.org 

Visual Arts | Contact Person Ms. Pultz spultz2@pghschools.org

Vocal Music| Contact Person Ms. Kendeall jkendeall1@pghschools.org 

Hover over (tap on mobile devices) the images below and click one of our departments below to view more information, including audition materials.