Arts Education courses are aligned directly with the Arts Education Essential Standards and sequentially organized by four proficiency levels of Beginning, Intermediate, Proficient, and Advanced. Beginning courses are for those students who have not received a complete K-8 education within a particular arts education discipline. Intermediate courses are for those students who have received a complete K-8 education or who can provide sufficient evidence to the course instructor of having met beginning level standards.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Arts Education Department expects all students in all visual arts studio based courses to engage in learning art techniques and processes; applying those techniques and processes in the creation of art; produce finished works of art; respond to art, both personal art and art created by others, both art created in history and in contemporary times; and to understand that art connects artists to self by providing an opportunity for visual expression of internal thoughts, feelings, and ideas and connects us to others in our immediate, local, regional, state, national, and global communities.

CONTEMPORARY CRAFT AND DESIGN

BEGINNER

The studio based course is an introductory survey of contemporary craft through clay, metal, fiber, paper and other materials. Students will investigate design thinking; study and use Elements of Art and Principles of Design; explore the context of craft and the role of design in our world; begin to develop critical responses; and create and maintain an artistic journal.

Prerequisite: None

INTERMEDIATE

This studio based course is a continuation of study in Contemporary Crafts and Design through clay, metal, fiber, paper and other materials. Student will utilize design thinking, engage in critical analysis, develop problem-solving skills; conduct critiques; evaluate works of craft; and examine the economics of craft. Students will begin to take a more personal approach in their production of craft while maintaining an artistic journal and craft portfolio

Prerequisite: Demonstrated proficiency in Beginning Contemporary Craft and Design and Teacher Recommendation

PROFICIENT

The studio based course is a continuation of study and experience in Contemporary Crafts processes and utilization of Design Thinking. Students will be required to maintain a portfolio of Crafts work that showcases technical skill and personal style. Students should be self-directed and will actively explore a wide range of techniques and processes. The processes of critiquing, evaluating works of art and examining the relationships between contemporary craft, traditional craft and cultures will be conducted. Maintaining an artistic journal is required.

Prerequisite: Demonstrated Proficiency in Intermediate and Teacher Recommendation

ADVANCED

The focus of this studio based course is the development of a personal voice and aesthetic in creating contemporary crafts and objects of design while implementing Design Thinking. The advanced student must be self-directed and actively take ownership of their portfolio. Students will engage in personal and peer; formal and informal; oral and written critiques. Maintaining an artistic journal which includes the student’s artistic statement and reflection is required. Students must exhibit their portfolio.

Prerequisite: Demonstrated Proficiency in Proficient and Teacher Recommendation

AP STUDIO ART

DRAWING

This course follows the outline as provided by the Advanced Placement Program. Students will develop an advanced drawing technique and conceptual portfolio which contains selected works, range of approaches, and sustained investigation sections. Students will engage in critiques of their own and peers' art. Student must be self-motivated and exhibit perseverance in completing their portfolio.

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation and Visual Arts Proficient.

2-D DESIGN

This course follows the outline as provided by the Advanced Placement Program. Students will develop an advanced technique and conceptual portfolio which contains selected works, range of approaches, and sustained investigation sections. 2-D portfolios may be accomplished through a variety of processes learned in Photography, Contemporary Craft and Design, and Visual Art. Students will engage in critiques of their own and peers' art. Students must be self motivated and exhibit perseverance in completing their portfolio.

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation and demonstrated proficiency in Visual Arts Proficient, Photography Proficient, or Contemporary Craft and Design Proficient.

3-D DESIGN

This course follows the outline as provided by the Advanced Placement Program. Students will develop an advanced technique and conceptual portfolio which contains selected works, range of approaches, and sustained investigation sections. 3-D portfolios may be accomplished through a variety of processes learned in Ceramic, Contemporary Craft and Design, and Visual Arts. Students will engage in critiques of their own and peers' art. Students must be self-motivated and exhibit perseverance in completing their own portfolio.

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation and demonstrated proficiency in Visual Arts Proficient, Ceramics Proficient or Contemporary Craft and Design Proficient.