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Visual Art

Philosophy

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 organized in three strands:

• PROCESS: idea development, planning, material processes, and reflection
• PRODUCT: media, techniques, subject matter, content, craftsmanship, and presentation
• UNDERSTANDING: art history, cultural context, criticism, aesthetics, and art vocabulary

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

• personal expression through art production
• creative problem solving
• 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
• technical processes

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.

 

Video Highlights

3-D Art Class at Carson Middle School

Photography at Westfield HS

Art Helps at Churchill Road ES

Scholastic Art Awards

 

Elementary School Visual Art

Program of Studies

All students in Fairfax County Public Schools Elementary Schools receive art instruction from a certified art specialist.

The elementary art program of Fairfax County Public Schools is exploratory and conceptual in nature. Children are able to explore a variety of thinking processes, art forms, materials and techniques, and sources for inspiration such as observation, memory, and imagination. Students look at, talk and write about art from different cultures and times, as well as their own art and art of peers. Students use creative, critical and design thinking processes to solve problems or challenges to make meaning of their world.

Because children change emotionally, mentally, and physically throughout elementary school, the elementary art program is designed with a sustained focus on “A Sense of Place” allowing students opportunities to question, explore, and document their personal growth.  The students of Fairfax County Public Schools come to the classroom with diverse cultural backgrounds and unique life experiences.  “A Sense of Place” is an enduring idea that validates the experiences of young artists while challenging students to deepen their understanding of alternative perspectives.  The unifying idea of “A Sense of Place” is rich with opportunities for artistic exploration, creative work and dialogue.

By examining their own lives and experiences, our students can consider the enduring idea of “A Sense of Place” from a personal perspective.  By examining the enduring idea from multiple perspectives, students can begin to understand what it means to be human and become more empathetic to the people, cultures, and environments they encounter.  Developmentally appropriate exploration of “A Sense of Place” develops conceptual thinking abilities in both concrete and abstract ways.  These cumulative experiences in elementary school lay the foundation for using enduring ideas as a conceptual learning tool throughout middle school and high school.

The last time that all students are required to have art instruction is the 6th grade.

All 6th grade students also participate in the Sixth Grade Art Museum Field Trip as a culminating experience for elementary art.

Middle School Visual Art Course Offerings

Course Descriptions and Program of Studies

• ART FOUNDATIONS
  
• ART EXTENSIONS
  
• 3D ART EXPLORATION
  
• COMPUTERS IN ART
  

 

High School Visual Art Course Offerings

Course Descriptions and Program of Studies

View the High School Visual Art sequence chart

Art 1-4, Computer Graphics 1-4, and Photography 1-4 are standard course offerings at the high school level. Availability of the optional course offerings (2-D Studio Art, 3-D Studio Art, Visual Communications, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate) will vary.

• STUDIO ART & DESIGN 1
  
• STUDIO ART & DESIGN 2
  
• STUDIO ART & DESIGN 3
  
• STUDIO ART & DESIGN 4: PORTFOLIO PREPARATION
  
• COMPUTER GRAPHICS 1
  
• COMPUTER GRAPHICS 2
• COMPUTER GRAPHICS 3
• COMPUTER GRAPHICS 4: PORTFOLIO PREPARATION
• PHOTOGRAPHY 1
• PHOTOGRAPHY 2
• PHOTOGRAPHY 3
• PHOTOGRAPHY 4: PORTFOLIO PREPARATION