Fine+Arts

Fine Arts Department Art Department: Course Offerings Link

The Upper School Art Department embraces the mission of the school, and to that end educates students in the arts so as to instill in them the notion that lives of purpose can only be led by individuals who understand themselves and their place as a part of the community. The arts play a central role in that understanding, and the Upper School Art Department at MICDS teaches students to explore their own creative capacities and to make the arts a central part of their lives as they take on leadership roles. Artistic expression is the most direct and personal path to self-discovery, and all students in our program will have a safe and encouraging environment where they will be challenged to know themselves, find their voice and share their talents with the community as a whole.
 * Upper School Art Department Philosophy.**

We recognize the span of learning styles, from the essentially collaborative nature of the performing arts to individual and group efforts in the visual arts. Classes taught in the Art Department adhere to the Honor Council’s definitions of cheating, plagiarism and theft. Teachers will make clear at the outset of an assignment their expectations; students must recognize and adapt to the wide range of approaches in the arts and respond appropriately.  Collaborative work is based on individual contributions to a group effort; each student must provide the greatest possible contribution to a final collective product. In the visual arts and art history, student work is based on their own investigation, interpretation, experience or observation.
 * Plagiarism and Cheating Policy.**

Department Understandings: //Students will understand that….// 1. Understanding & the appreciation of the arts is a life long pursuit. 2. The Arts are an essential component of understanding human history 3. Artistic expression is the most direct path to self-discovery and self-expression. 4. Artistic creation involves process, reflection and product 5. The artist is responsible for her/his creation. 6. Awareness of others leads to self-awareness. 7. The arts are an essential component of any culture. 8. The product reflects the experience of the creator. Essential Department Questions: //:// 1. What influences art and the creative act? 2. How do we interpret the world around us and give that interpretation form? 3. What are the filters that affect interpretations of the art of other cultures? 4. How is the art form related to process, reflection and product? 5. How is my voice unique? 6. Why are the arts an essential part of the human experience 7. Why do people make, share and value art? Department Skills: //Students will develop the sills necessary to:// 1. Analyze, synthesize and assimilate personal experiences into works of art. 2. Master the mental and physical tools necessary to make art. 3. Communicate effectively their aesthetic experiences. 4. Realize the self-confidence to be fully involved in the creative process 5. Cultivate a work ethic essential to achieve their full potential 6. Respond effectively to art. 7. Analyze art history. 8. Develop effective creative solutions to complex, multi-variable problems All courses will be based on the Getty Model and be Disciplined Based. This means that each course will have a history, criticism, process and product component. This allows for the inclusion cultural, gender and global issues to be addressed. Visual Arts Understandings //Students will understand that….// Specific technical skills are necessary and attainable to create art. 1. Art is a language that must be “read.” 2. Complex problems must be broken down and require extended concentration. 3. The process of creating art is not linear, and must often be its own reward. 4. They have (or will have) something important to say. 5. The aesthetic experience can be analyzed and described. 6. Each individual has a unique voice. 7. Growth is a function of consistent searching and effort. 8. Art communicates reactions to and synthesis of experience that canb’t be expressed in any other “language.” Visual Arts Questions //Essential questions:// 1. How do I “read” a work of art? 2. How do I articulate the aesthetic experience? 3. How do people communicate through art? 4. What is my voice? Visual Arts Skills //Students will develop the sills necessary to:// 1. Create art that is reflective and personal. 2. Read art in context and recognize the visual arts elements of design and composition. 3. Sustain the effort needed to complete long range projects. 4. Appreciate the creative process. 5. Critique their own work and the work of others. 6. Recognize and articulate their strengths. 7. Recognize and communicate their ideas and feelings Each course will incorporate //“Best Practices”// and will include but not limited to: Authentic Experiences Small Group Activities Reading as Thinking (reading works of art / critiques) Representing to Learn Classroom workshops Reflective Assignments Integrated Units
 * The Visual Arts**

Performing Arts Understandings
 * The Performing Arts**
 * Performing can inspire, teach and expand boundaries.
 * Creating is never complete; each performance is unique.
 * Understanding the concepts needed to create a performance enable us to discover ourselves.
 * We learn as much through our failed attempts as through our successful attempts.
 * Product and Process are equally important.
 * Performing Arts are an essential component of any culture.
 * Performances reflect the experience of the culture.

Performing Arts Questions
 * What are my strengths and where do I feel discomfort?
 * What tools do I have to overcome that discomfort?
 * How do varying techniques affect my personal style?
 * How do we appreciate approaches that are unfamiliar to or difficult for us?
 * How important is the final product (Performance) to the process?
 * Why are the Performing Arts an essential part of the human experience?
 * Why do people perform?

Performing Arts Skills
 * Develop the self confidence that will enable us to take risks
 * Communicate effectively our reactions to both process and product.
 * Learn basic techniques and lingo that will encourage us to begin learning the more complex and challenging techniques
 * Understand full the concept of ensemble.

Graduation Requirements Class of 2011 / (12th grade Seniors) have completed their requirements for graduation and are free to pursue any art course they wish. Students who did not take an art in 11th grade must complete one trimester to fulfill their graduation requirement. Class of 2012 / (11th grade Juniors) must complete one trimester studio art course to complete their graduation requirements Class of 2013 / (10th grade Sophomores) must complete three trimesters of a studio art course to complete their graduation requirements Class of 2014 / (9th grade Freshmen) must complete a minimum of six trimesters, three of which must be a studio course.