The ISM Art Department seeks to give students a sense of participation in the unfolding of contemporary culture thereby allowing students to reflect on cultural issues related to self and society. Through studying and making art, students become attuned to complexity. Children at ISM are given the opportunity to experience things related to their interests, enabling them to gain knowledge that will enhance their lives. They learn to recognize the cultural choices that underlie even the most mundane moments and actions of everyday life, and consider whether these are the choices they themselves wish to make.
In Visual Art, we follow the concepts in the National Core Arts Standards, while also including Art History, Culture, Aesthetics, meaning making, Art Criticism, interdisciplinary connections with other grade levels, and introducing the Elements and Principles of Design.
A lot of projects are open ended in which the students are guided through the creative process from starting with an idea and creating something completely new from their minds, brainstorming multiple approaches to creative art or problem solving. Creativity is greatly encouraged and focused on as well as criticism where we look at famous artists’ works and discuss what is seen, the meaning of it, and opinion about it.
Art speaks to all learners, it is good for expression, communication, relaxation, and good for emotional health. It expresses something from deep inside of us from our soul or the subconscious part of our mind.
