Breadcrumbs

Visual arts

At ASL, we believe in the following enduring understandings:

  • The study of visual arts is a process of inquiry and critical thinking with a visible solution.
  • Visual literacy empowers people to navigate their complex, ever-changing world.
  • The endeavor of making art strengthens choice and voice in all aspects of life.
  • The dispositions nurtured through art making go beyond the art room and the school’s walls.
  • Analyzing and interpreting art cultivates empathy for others.

To best reach and teach all learners, the visual arts program provides students the opportunity to choose their own pathways of learning based on their personal interests and artistic passions. At the foundations level, students develop a creative “toolkit” of essential studio habits, art practices and visual language they can draw from throughout their creative journey. They may then explore their interests from a wide range of experimental offerings to further hone their skills in their chosen art disciplines. At the conceptual level, students direct their learning towards broader outcomes with cross-disciplinary tasks, integrating the 2D, 3D and/or 4D skills, techniques and processes they have acquired along the way. Finally, they develop a collection of work at the portfolio level based on personal criteria, and may choose to submit their portfolio to art schools, universities or the AP College Board.

Two arts credits are a minimum graduation requirement. Yearlong classes gain 1 credit and semester courses, ½ credit. Students wishing to pursue a pathway of learning to the portfolio level must take Foundations of Visual Arts, at least two experimental level courses and at least one conceptual level course.

Foundations level

Experimental level

Conceptual level

Portfolio level

Journalism

Publications