Visual Arts

Art
A. Visual Arts
The elementary visual arts program seeks to fulfill several basic and essential functions within the context of the broader curriculum:

  • The development and continued enhancement of the child’s self-esteem and sense of pride in choices and results that are uniquely his or hers;
  • The ongoing exploration of ways “to get in touch with” and express deeper feelings and insights, involving increased sensitivity to the power of visual language as part of the continuum of human expression, and exposure to a variety of media and approaches;
  • The development of higher-level problem solving and critical thinking skills in areas where there may be no “right” answers;
  • The sequential development of increasingly sophisticated perceptual skills; the reinforcement and integration of motor skills; exposure to a variety of media and aesthetic ideas;
  • The appreciation of the widest possible range of artistic traditions, past and present, Western and non-Western;
  • The enhancement of children’s understanding of their own and other cultures and integration of this appreciation into the broader context of their lives;
  • The making of fine art a part of the daily experience of each child with the goal of equipping him or her to appreciate and enjoy this dimension of human experience throughout life.

B. Drawing (K-4)
Drawing, like handwriting or reading, is a teachable skill rather than an inherent talent. The primary objective of the drawing program is to develop in every child the ability to “see” accurately and to record what is seen. Skills of visual perception, careful observation, spatial orientation (including directionality and proportion), and a systematic approach to decoding complex drawing tasks are taught. The goal is to instill the lifelong skills of “visual learning” and careful and accurate record-keeping, as well as to reinforce the science, handwriting, math, and social studies curricula. It is taught in a positive, non-judgmental, non-graded way as a form of exploration.

C. Studio Art (K-6)
The studio art program focuses on problem-solving and individual, creative choice. Children must make decisions within carefully stated parameters for each assignment. Personal expression and craftsmanship are seen as mutually reinforcing so that the concept and execution are both stressed. Visual expression is treated as a language to communicate and whose elements include color, line, shape, form, pattern, and texture: the “vocabulary” for addressing the stated “problem.” During seven years of the curriculum, children develop an increasingly sophisticated and rich repertoire of responses and have better and better control over a variety of media.
Because varied, personal responses are encouraged, all student work is displayed whenever possible. Each student is encouraged to see art production as a joyful, satisfying, and non-threatening experience.
Throughout the seven years, fine art is looked at and discussed extensively and is often the motivation for students’ own expression. An extended project on a famous artist along with a trip to the Norton Simon Museum is a culmination for sixth graders.

Elementary School