Visual Arts
The Visual Arts curriculum provides a sequential and meaningful focus on skills and concepts while emphasizing art production, art history, aesthetics, and art criticism.
Instruction and student learning are driven by the National Core Arts Standards ( 2015) and corresponding anchor standards of Creating, Presenting, Responding and Connecting. These standards foster development of Visual Arts literacy, inquiry skills, 21st century and life skills.
A quality education in the Visual Arts will provide students with the means to:
- Value art as an important realm of human activity, and a lifelong source of insight and understanding
- Offer self-reflective opportunities focusing on expression and development of personal style
- Provide opportunities to develop interpersonal skills through collaborative work
- Improve perceptual skills and strengthen knowledge base
- Enhance critical and creative thinking abilities as well as problem solving skills
- Develop visual literacy skills
- Broaden career opportunities and possible application
- Foster development of 21st century skills
Visual Arts Curriculum
The Visual Arts Department promotes artistic development, fosters development of visual literacy, critical thinking skills, intellectual risk-taking and lifelong learning. While the foundation for the curriculum is based on the (1994) National Standards, the ( 2015) National Core Arts Standards ( NCAS) provide an update on expectations for the 21st century learner. Instructional strategies and standards are focused on inquiry,exploration and development of skill and technique through student-centered experiences that promote meaningful discourse.
Visual Arts in High School
Student Imagery
WHPS’ Visual Arts program provides opportunities for students to understand the world through visual expression and to explore a variety of artistic media and techniques. Visual Arts teachers consider both the viewer of student art as well as the artist. While freedom of expression and development of individual style is encouraged, reasonable boundaries of content are a responsibility of the public school. Student art that depicts violence (harm to oneself or others), graphic nudity, or promotes substance abuse is not appropriate for a public school setting. This includes gruesome imagery (including blood), weapons, inappropriate language, sexually explicit imagery/nudity or use of illegal substances. Inappropriate content will not be displayed in public spaces (such as school lobby showcases) as such images may not be appropriate for the full range of students, public and visitors to the schools. Teachers are available to support a student by suggesting alternative ways to express ideas and problem solve complex topics. Student artists are encouraged to discuss their work with teachers relative to these guidelines to ensure the appropriateness of artifacts and their availability for class critique and public display.