Visual Arts
High School Visual Arts Philosophy & Long-Term Transfer Goals
The High School Visual Arts Department is dedicated to fostering creativity, critical thinking and personal expression in every student. Art education plays an important role in developing innovative thinkers and helping to build a vibrant, culturally rich society.
Through artistic exploration, students learn to see the world from new perspectives and contribute their ideas to the broader artistic conversation. The department is led by Mr. Gordon, who has served the district for 12 years and continues to cultivate a strong, engaging program that supports artists of all skill levels.
Students are encouraged to develop and refine technical skills while discovering their unique creative voice. By working with a variety of tools, materials and techniques, they create original works that reflect individual experiences, ideas and perspectives.
The Visual Arts program values diversity and inclusivity in artistic expression. Students explore a wide range of styles, mediums and cultural influences, gaining a deeper understanding of art’s role in society while developing respect for the many voices that shape the creative world.
Through creating, reflecting, critiquing and revising, students build confidence in analyzing and interpreting visual works. These experiences encourage young artists to take creative risks, think independently and develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
We believe that visual art…
- is an essential component of a complete education;
- develops creative, analytical, and reflective thinkers;
- enriches both the individual and the broader community;
- fosters innovation and problem-solving;
- encourages personal voice and authentic expression;
- builds cultural awareness and global understanding;
- strengthens observation and interpretation skills;
- promotes perseverance through the creative process.
We believe that students…
- discover and develop artistic skills unique to their creative voice;
- gain confidence through experimentation and risk-taking;
- develop lifelong habits of creativity and inquiry.
Best practices in visual arts guide us to…
- design lessons that support studio production, critique, and reflection;
- set high expectations and clearly communicate them to students and families;
- expose students to diverse artists, movements, and cultural perspectives;
- use multiple forms of assessment to monitor artistic growth;
- maintain a safe and supportive studio environment where creativity thrives.
Guiding Principles & Beliefs
- The visual arts program cultivates skilled creators, critical viewers, and thoughtful contributors to the artistic community.
- Encourages lifelong engagement with the arts beyond formal education.
- Builds transferable skills including creativity, innovation, collaboration, and critical thinking.
- Develops global awareness through exploration of historical and contemporary art practices.
- Is accessible to all students and supports confidence, self-discipline, and resilience.
Standards
- Adopt K–12 student learning outcomes for Fine Arts-specific skills and knowledge.
- Align curriculum with Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Fine Arts standards.
- Integrate art history, criticism, aesthetics, and studio production into course design.
- Provide opportunities for exhibition and community engagement.