Art I: 2D Design & Drawing introduces students to the elements and principles of art through a two-dimensional lens while learning a variety of media, concepts and techniques. This will include elements and principles of design, sequential techniques with drawing, painting, printmaking, low-relief sculpture, ceramics and digital media. Students practice skills, explore historical and cultural relevance, gain an understanding of creative expression and learn to respond and evaluate artwork through close observation using critical thinking. Additional supply fees may be associated with this course; however, Plano ISD will take steps to ensure that costs will not prevent access to programs. This is a two semester course in which students must take both semesters, in sequence, to meet the one year fine arts requirement. 

Grade Placement:  9 – 12

Prerequisite:  None 

Credit:  1 

What’s next? Art II: 2D, Art II: 2D Honors, or Art II: 3D Honors  

Art II: 2D Design & Drawing is designed to spiral and expand on the Art I: 2D or Art I:  3D curriculum.  Students will continue to explore a sequential study of drawing, color theory, painting, printmaking, technology and ceramics. Formal compositions will be completed in realistic, abstract, and non-objective styles.  Students will build upon skills learned in Art I instruction in order to express big ideas with visual voice.  Additional supply fees may be associated with this course; however, Plano ISD will take steps to ensure that costs will not prevent access to programs. 

Grade Placement:  10 - 12  

Prerequisite:  Art I: 2D or Art I: 3D  

Credit:  1 

What’s next?  AP 2D Art and Design, AP 3D Art and Design, AP Drawing, or AP Art History

Art and Media Communications combines rigorous and relevant experiential study of modern, post-modern, and contemporary visual art and design with student learning in media literacy and technology applications.  Creation and analysis of student artworks will be balanced with explorations into contemporary practices across the visual and commercial arts fields.  Students will learn how to bridge traditional hand skills with current technology applications to create new media such as animations, digital images, multimedia presentation, digital video, websites, and interactive or site-based installations and performances.   Furthermore, student work will culminate in a capstone project that investigates an issue relevant to the student and uses art, design, and visual communications to address a problem within the community or effect change.  This project will afford students an opportunity to learn and practice creative research skills, develop a narrative, engage an audience, and connect an online community to their project.  This is a two-semester course in which students must take both semesters, in sequence, to meet the one year fine arts requirement.  

Grade Placement:  9 – 12 

Prerequisite:  None 

Credit:  1 

What’s next?  Art and Media Communications II or any Art I and/or Art II course 

AP 2D Art Design is a double-blocked, two hour advanced studio course for the college-bound and career-oriented student.  It is designed for talented art students who wish to pursue college level studies while in high school.  Emphasis will be on advanced drawing and painting styles, 2-D design, color study, and digitally created art.  Students will develop portfolios of artworks, consisting of two sections: Sustained Investigation and Selected Works, which fulfill current College Board requirements.  Students receive two credits, 1 AP credit and 1 honors credit.  This course prepares the student to take the AP exam.  Additional supply fees may be associated with this course; however, Plano ISD will take steps to ensure that costs will not prevent access to programs. 

For more about the course, please see the College Board's Course and Exam Description found here:  AP 2D Art and Design

Grade Placement:  11 – 12   

Prerequisite:  Art I: 2D or 3D 

Credits:  2 

What’s next?  AP 3D Art and Design, AP Drawing, or AP Art History 

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the rich traditions of western and non-European architecture, sculpture, painting and other art forms through factual knowledge and the skillful use of principles of aesthetics and comparative criticism. Students will learn how to respond to works of art with intelligence and sensitivity, examining the major forms of artistic expression of the past and of distant cultures as well as those of their own time and environment. Students may earn college credit by passing an exam written by the College Board. This course prepares the student to take the AP Art History exam. Additional supply fees may be associated with this course; however, Plano ISD will take steps to ensure that costs will not prevent access to programs

For more information about this course, please see the College Board's Course and Exam Description found here:  AP Art History

Grade Placement:  11-12 

Prerequisite:  None  

Credit:  1 

Prerequisites: None   

Credit: 1

IH Art I allows the students the opportunity to learn how to work with a large variety of materials. Students extend their basic understanding of art through drawings, color study, painting, printmaking, technology, sculpture, and ceramics. This course is vertically aligned with the expectations of the upper level IB course requirements. This is a two semester course in which students must take both semesters to meet the one year fine art requirement.