Art Philosophy

We believe:

Visual Art is essential to human development.  Artistic achievements have been with us since long before the printed word; art has been called our first language.  Through inquiry into the origins and traditions of art, students become more literate.  They learn about art concepts, cultural traditions, historical perspectives and the progress of civilizations.  This promotes student understanding and enables them to shape their visual environment while enriching their experience in the present and future. 

Perceiving

Art education is about our visual culture.  It helps students build the confidence to use their senses, knowledge and feelings to find meaning in their environment as well as in works of art.  These aesthetic experiences improve the quality of their lives.  The student of art in basic education enables all students to respond and react to visual aspects of the world.

Processing

All students process information and use cognitive skills while producing art.  The skills acquired through the study of the visual arts include the ability to imagine possibilities; to explore alternatives; to recognize and accept multiple perspectives; to generate new ideas from diverse sources; to reflect; to conceptualize and to communicate creatively.  These skills are essential to every contemporary workplace.

Creating

Success in Visual Arts is promoted through multiple approaches accommodating differing learning styles, ability levels, and behaviors.  Students are give opportunities to explore a wide variety of media, tools, technologies, and techniques through sequential development of skills.  Creativity as a concept of Visual Art is studied and explored through personal expression and multiple solutions.