This beginning level art class allows a unique opportunity for students to experience a variety of media including: drawing, painting, clay, and sculpture. This course is targeted for students participating in the Functional Living Skills Program. Visual Art Basics can be taken one or both semesters as projects are not repeated throughout the school year.   

Semesters: 1
Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2 per semester
Prerequisite: Staff recommendation

Got creativity? Creative challenges are a part of everyday life. This is your opportunity to strengthen your creative and problem solving skills through the use of various art media and concepts. Media may include drawing, painting, ceramics, jewelry, and sculpture. Students will invent solutions through individual and collaborative activities, games, and projects that reflect personal interests, values, and a global perspective. No previous art experience is necessary, and everyone creates at their own level. This course serves as the preferred entry for all other Studio Art classes whether students are progressing through the four-year program or are interested in a creative experience.  To learn more about this course and the art program sequence, please visit your school’s art department website.

Semesters: 1
Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: None                                          

Set yourself apart by becoming creative problem-solvers and explore current digital technology. Many new and existing professions combine studio art skills and digital media. Students will use a combination of digital technology and creative art making to explore their world, identity, possible careers, and future. No previous experience is necessary and everyone creates at their own level. This course serves as one of two prerequisite options for all students whether they are progressing through the four-year program or are interested in a creative experience.  To learn more about this course and the art program sequence, please visit your school’s art department website.

Additional Information: This course or Visual Art Inventions serves as the prerequisite for the art program sequence. It also honors the computer credit requirement for graduation.

Semesters: 1
Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: None

“Who am I?” In Art and Identity students will learn about themselves by exploring who they are, how they want others to see them, and who they want to become.  Primarily using 2-D processes and individualized instruction, students will explore and develop their personal identity through the visual arts. Media may include drawing, painting, and mixed media. This intermediate course emphasizes creative individual solutions, conceptual thinking, and the development of design aesthetics while providing hands-on experience in a variety of media. Please visit the school’s art department website for additional information.

Semesters: 1
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Preferred completion of Studio Art 1: 2D/3D (653 & 654) or permission from instructor

What is my place in the world?  Students enrolled in Art and Community will explore this question by using 3-D processes in both individual and group projects.  This course will help students understand the impact of the arts on society, and how the arts can be a community, whether locally, globally or online.  This course emphasizes creative, individual and collaborative solutions through hands-on experience and opportunities.  To learn more please visit your school’s art department website for current information.

Semesters: 1 
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Studio Art 1: 2D/3D or permission from instructor

What is art for? In Art and Ideas advanced students will have the opportunity to create personal artworks based upon their own aesthetic interests, tastes, and values.  Students will examine and interpret art movements, and the manner in which societies have judged visual art both past and present.  This course will continue to develop art skills and refine creative techniques through the use of critical thinking and reflective practices.  Students will use this course as an opportunity to begin building their portfolio.  To learn more about this course and the art program sequence, please visit your school’s art department website.

Note: There may be other optional material costs associated with this course.

Semesters: 1
Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Studio Art 2: 2D or instructor approval

What kind of art will your generation be known for?  This course gives students the opportunity to experience what is currently happening in the art world, including public art, new technologies, mass production, street art, online art communities and new artists that challenge boundaries.  Students will explore and debate postmodernism, censorship, consumerism, and global issues.  Art and Current Trends offers artists open ended problems, to solve as they wish in any media of their choosing.  Students will work both individually and collaboratively on projects, critiques and group installations.  To learn more about this course and the art program sequence, please visit your school’s art department website.

Note: There may be other optional material costs associated with this course.

Semesters: 1
Levels: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Studio Art 2: 3D or instructor approval.

This course provides experienced art students with continued opportunities to individually explore personal art interests and advance their learning experiences as productive artists. This course offers students involvement in a creative, collaborative atmosphere where they will develop their own direction resulting in the creation of a cohesive body of work for portfolio and exhibition purposes. Curriculum project concepts and media are self-directed with the teacher acting as a facilitator.

Possible exhibitions may include solo shows or advanced group shows. Students will be encouraged to enter local and/or regional shows. Students may have possibilities to leave their mark within their school through permanent art.

While much of class time is studio, students may be expected to participate in some guided individual and/or group activities meant to further their ability to plan and formulate ideas for work, verbally articulate their artistic concepts and reflect on their progress. Activities may include verbal and written critiques, the keeping of a sketchbook/journal, and periodic individual conferences with their instructor. Artwork options can be any two and/or three dimensional media which may be supported by the Art Department, though the student is encouraged to provide additional media if necessary.

Efforts will be made to enroll students in sections of 2D and/or 3D Studio Art 4 based upon preference, but some requests may not be honored due to course or instructor availability, as well as potential conflicts with the student’s schedule.

Note: There may be other optional material costs associated with this course.

Semesters: 1
Levels: 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Studio Art 3 (2D or 3D)  or instructor approval

This course will provide students opportunities to refine their skills and create for a wide variety of purposes and audiences. Students will be allowed to choose their own areas of focus and explore ways that Art can make a difference in the world. This course offers students involvement in a creative, collaborative atmosphere where they will develop their own direction resulting in the creation of a cohesive body of work for portfolio and exhibition purposes. Curriculum project concepts and media are self-directed with the teacher acting as a facilitator.

Note: There may be other optional material costs associated with this course.

Semesters: 1
Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Instructor and Division Leader Approval

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then what do you want to say?  In Photographic Imaging I, students will examine how artists compose and manipulate images and utilize a variety of technologies to communicate ideas.  Students will use traditional, digital, and experimental photographic processes.  This course emphasizes problem solving, conceptual thinking, and the interpretation of images.  Students will explore such avenues as commercial photography, photojournalism, and fine art photography.  Please visit the art department website at your child’s school for additional information.

Semesters: 1
Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Visual Art and Technology.

Influence the world through your lens.  Art and Imagery 2 allows the dedicated photographer to further their skills and experiences, whether the student’s interest is fine art photography, photojournalism and/or commercial photography.  Students will examine the function of the image in history and today through a variety of photographic processes to strengthen their personal aesthetic and style.  Open ended projects will ask the photographer to interpret and capture unique solutions.  Students will use this course as an opportunity to begin building their portfolio.  To learn more about this course and the art program sequence, please visit your school’s art department website.

Semesters: 1
Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Photographic Imaging I.

Art is everywhere!  Posters, t-shirts, album art, logos, and websites are just a few examples of design that influences us. In this course, students will use current digital technology to transform artistic ideas into persuasive visual communication.  Concepts covered will include multiple image layering, the relationships of words and pictures, design aesthetics, and idea development strategies used by the expanding media industry.  Please visit the school’s art department website for additional information.

Additional Information: This course or Visual Art and Technology serves as the prerequisite for the art program sequence.

Semesters: 1
Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Visual Art and Technology.

How does design affect the world around you?  Design thinking and mastery of the media arts play an essential role in today’s careers.  This advanced course helps students learn to utilize design thinking as a real world problem-solving skill and help designers, illustrators, and digital media artists develop their individual style.  Students will be given opportunities to produce work for someone other than themselves as they would for a client or art director.  Projects may include t-shirt designs, animation, posters, web pages, video, logos or publicity for a variety of events, from school to local contests and even community jobs.  Students will use this course as an opportunity to begin building their design portfolio.  To learn more about this course and the art program sequence, please visit your school’s art department website.

*This course meets the computer requirement for graduation.*

Semesters: 1
Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Art and Visual Communication (Graphic Design I) or division leader approval.

Portfolio provides experienced art students with continued opportunities to individually explore personal art interests and advance their learning experiences as productive artists. This course offers students involvement in a creative, collaborative atmosphere where they will develop their own direction resulting in the creation of a cohesive body of work for portfolio and exhibition purposes. Curriculum project concepts and media are self-directed with the teacher acting as a facilitator.

Possible exhibitions may include solo shows or advanced group shows. Students will be encouraged to enter local and/or regional shows. Students may have possibilities to leave their mark within their school through permanent art.

Students may be expected to participate in some guided individual and/or group activities meant to further their ability to plan and formulate ideas for work, verbally articulate their artistic concepts and reflect on their progress. Activities may include verbal and written critiques, the keeping of a social media account that showcases the work, and periodic individual conferences with their instructor.

Additionally, students will be encouraged to contribute to a portfolio that might be used in an Advanced Placement^® course the following year.

Note: There may be other optional material costs associated with this course.

Semesters: 1
Levels: 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Photo 1 and Photo 2  or instructor approval

This course is intended to give the advanced graphic design and/or photography student the opportunity to have a “real-world” experience in their respective area. The majority of student work will be under the guidelines and wishes of various clients; be it staff or faculty in school, friends or relatives out of school or contests and opportunities found online. Advanced production techniques are stressed to develop graphic design (which may include t-shirts designs, logos, posters, etc) from idea to production-ready art for their client. Photography students may be asked to shoot in traditional or digital format. Work may include shoots for publications or events for school and creation of a production-ready file or a finished print for the client. Graphic Design and Photography students may work independently or together, depending on the job.

The instructor will work as a facilitator and mentor as the student develops a body of work with the goal of professional portfolio and exhibition.

Media and supplies may be supported by the Art Department, but fees may not cover all expenses.

Additional Information: Fees may not cover all expenses.

Semesters: 1 or 2 Semesters
Level(s): 12
Credit: 1/2 per semester
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 5 or 6 art classes & division leader approval.

AP^® Studio Art 2D, 3D and Drawing are three different year-long courses.  Each of them is designed for students that are highly motivated to do college level work in studio art while still in high school. AP^® is also an opportunity for students to qualify for college credit in a high school environment. AP^® work is not based on a written exam; instead, students are required to submit portfolios for College Board evaluation at the end of the school year. As an AP^® student, you will build your portfolio based on three sections; quality, concentration and breadth. AP^® work does involve significantly more time and commitment than most high school courses.

Semesters: 2
Level(s): 12
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 5 or 6 art classes (including Art and Media Techniques) & division leader approval. 

The (2012) College Board AP^® Course Description Guide states, “The AP^® Art History course should engage students at the same level as an introductory college art history survey. Such a course involves critical thinking and should develop an understanding and knowledge of diverse historical and cultural contexts of architecture, sculpture, painting and other media. It also provides an opportunity for schools to strengthen an area neglected in most curricula. In this course, students examine and critically analyze major forms of artistic expression from the past and the present from a variety of cultures. While visual analysis is a fundamental tool of the art historian, art history emphasizes understanding how and why works of art function in context, considering such issues as patronage, gender, and the functions and effects of works of art. Many colleges and universities offer advanced placement and/or credit to students who perform successfully on the AP^® Art History Exam.” 

This course is targeting students that are highly motivated, demonstrate critical thinking skills and strong literacy skills, as well as express an interest and passion for both history and the arts.  As a result of participating in this course, students will prepare (and are expected to take) the AP^® Art History exam.

Semesters: 2
Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: None