The visual arts curriculum promotes a commitment to lifelong enjoyment and appreciation of all types of creative endeavors. Art encourages inquiry, discovery, and wonder. As art reflects and transmits its time and culture, it is a vital key to understanding the past and to realizing the future. The visual arts curriculum nurtures students’ creativity, increases higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills, makes use of current technology and tools, explores real-world applications, and provides cross-cultural understanding. Visual arts programs encompass a variety of media approaches including fine arts, crafts, art history, multi-media experiences, multicultural expression, aesthetics, and criticism.
The music and performing arts curriculum acknowledges all human beings are innately musical regardless of age, talent, or ability level. The study of music and performing arts benefits both students and society, touching human beings in ways that are solely unique to the music and performing arts disciplines. The music and performing arts curriculum provides avenues for self-expression, communication, and creativity and reinforces cross-curricular and life-skills training. Music and performing arts addresses a variety of interests, learning styles, and readiness levels and engages students in lifelong learning processes.