Like our music program, our visual arts program follows the Arizona State Standards for Visual Arts and the Core Knowledge Sequence. Our interdisciplinary approach to Art and Art History introduces scholars to key movements of different historical periods. Scholars attend an art class at least once per week. They gain an appreciation for the interpretation of art, issues, and viewpoints about art. They also grow in understanding the styles, influences and themes in art, and the historical and cultural contexts in which the art was created.
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
We know art education is essential to your child’s whole development. Children who receive an art education not only develop creativity; art has been shown to improve children’s problem-solving skills as art helps develop their critical thinking abilities. Children who receive an art education connect better with others and exhibit better communication as they explore layers of their non-verbal and verbal communication. Through art education, children learn about civilizations and become open to viewpoints while seeing things more deeply. They learn a healthy outlet for release and self-expression.
Art education has had its ups and downs in maintaining its relevancy in curriculums, with school districts leaning on structured academia to turn over higher test scores. With art as part of the curriculum, children perform better cognitively. Art has even shown evidence that children not only perform better academically; they also test better. In being true to our mission at Paideia Academies, we are committed to the development of our scholars’ whole-person – body, mind, heart, and spirit.
