THE ARTS IS ABOUT CREATIVITY AND EXPRESSION

• We develop individuality. We want to excite students to think, create, and perform. We aspire to embrace other cultures, listen, observe with open hearts and minds, experiment and transform. We inspire our students towards a love of learning and personal growth through self awareness and responsible decision making.

• We work together through collaboration. We discuss ideas, share skills and processes, providing cross-curricular perspectives and sharing insights through the development of self management and relationship skills. We work to build community partnerships to showcase our creative talents.

• We believe in the imagination and where it can take us.  We believe everyone has the potential to be creative, or at least gain pleasure from the Arts. We believe that all students can succeed and that learning is ongoing and essential to the individual and crucial in the development of social awareness and understanding. We believe that everyone needs an Arts education.

• We believe in the heart and mind.  We understand that ‘one size does not fit all’ and are committed to providing an Arts education which embraces diversity, multiple intelligences, and key concepts which develop students’ potential in order to become active, contributing members of a global society.

• We understand that developing skills takes time and perseverance. We understand that taking risks is challenging but we are there to support and guide the process.

• The Arts are a universal language. The Arts are a language that brings together cultural, racial, educational and economic diversity to enhance awareness and appreciation for the creativity and accomplishments of humankind.

• The Arts are an outlet for self-expression. The Arts can be personal or public; reactionary or provocative. The Arts document and define who we are as cultures, societies and individuals.

• The Arts enhance the creative, critical and emotional process. Exposure to Visual & Performing Arts improves cognitive and emotional development as well as academic achievement. Students develop higher level thinking skills including - comprehension, application, analysis, problem solving, evaluating and creating. The Arts provides the means for every student to self-reflect, develop skills, communicate and to expand learning on multiple levels.