Art education in Fairfax County Public Schools is a core discipline, essential to the growth and development of all students.

The sequential art curriculum for grades K-12 is based in the four disciplines:

• art production
• art history
• art criticism
• aesthetics

The curriculum is designed to develop content knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• recognition of the role and importance of art and artists in society, culture, and history
• critical assessment of art works from aesthetic and cultural perspectives
• creative problem solving
• technical processes
• personal expression through art production.

Art instruction in Fairfax County Public Schools provides an environment which offers challenges to all students, builds on individual differences, and provides means by which students may express themselves and develop positive self concepts.