Art Department

Art Department Flow Chart/Course Strands

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* Laude Level Classes

Art Department Mission Statement:

The reasons for teaching or taking art at the high school level are many and varied.

We work daily with students whose love for the visual arts runs deep and will very likely lead to careers in the arts. Likewise, we see students who effectively use art as a means of expression and an emotional release. Both groups benefit.

A recent Louis Harris poll revealed that more than 80% of the respondents felt that experience with the arts “help young people develop discipline and perseverance” and enables students “to learn skills that can be useful in a job.” About 90% agreed that children who are involved with the arts in school become more creative and develop better speaking and writing skills.

As an art department, our philosophy is all students, no matter the level of interest, skill or ability, can learn and grow through art. We believe to be a better artist is to become more observant and understanding of life in general. Here, Art encourages visual acuity and communication. Creative thinking involved in the art process encourages collaboration, problem-solving, flexibility, self-confidence, and time management. These are all critical life-enhancing skills.

Finally, we offer a quote by the Renaissance master Michelangelo—“a man paints with his brains and not with his hands.” We like to think we’re in the business of helping students learn how to deal with new ideas and situations which, we believe, will help them lead more fulfilling lives in whatever their chosen career.