Urban Art

Urban Art for Social Change

Empowering Youth Through Street Art and Graffiti

As a result of receiving a Speak Up grant from the Ontario Ministry of Education, R.S. McLaughlin Students began "Sk8Board of Education", a Skateboard Club to learn about graffiti, contemporary art and skateboard design. Club members met almost daily to share their expertise and passion for various forms of urban and street art. In 2011, curriculum was developed to run a grade 10 Urban Art for Social Change course at M.C.V.I. which quickly grew into many sections and waiting lists. The Skateboard Club continued to grow and evolve with the ongoing assistance of Speak Up grants. In 2012, a grade 11 course was added to the course calendar at M.C.V.I. and quickly became very successful. We are pleased to announce that a grade 12 level Exploring the Arts course has been added to the 2016-2017 school calendar.

AWU 2O1 Grade 10 Urban Art Open

In this course students will examine the changing technological aspects of visual culture in a contemporary setting. They will study and create a variety of types of urban or street art and find ways to express their own views on a social justice theme. Designed to speak to the student’s own interests, the course is constructed to marry things that appear hip and exciting with activities that are hands-on and tactile. The course includes lessons, journals and studio activities, and a variety of assessments and performance tasks.

AWU 3O1 Grade 11 Urban Art Open

In this course students will examine the changing technological aspects of visual culture in a contemporary setting. They will study and create a variety of types of urban or street art and find ways to express their own views on a social justice theme. Designed to speak to the student’s own interests, the course is constructed to marry things that appear hip and exciting with activities that are hands-on and tactile. The course includes lessons, journals and studio activities, and a variety of assessments and performance tasks.

AEA 4O1 Grade 12 Exploring the Arts Open

This course offers students the opportunity to explore connections between digital music production, graffiti, street and digital art with an urban art focus. Students will use the creative process individually and/or collaboratively to produce integrated art works that draw on various disciplines, and they will critically analyze art works and determine how interpreting these works affects their own development. Students will develop responsible practices that are transferable beyond the classroom. They will explore solutions to integrated arts challenges and discover that art is everywhere, influencing and reflecting society