Fine Arts

The teachers of visual and performing arts comprise the Fine Arts Department of Archbishop Williams High School.,

Goals:

In support of the school’s Goals and Objectives, the Fine Arts Department is particularly concerned with the growth of students, both as individuals, developing their God-given talents, learning the discipline necessary for artistic creation, and increasing their ability to be self critical, and also as groups, learning to work together cooperatively in creative activities and developing their abilities to benefit from mutual evaluation and positive correction.

Visual Arts Objectives:

• to develop aesthetic awareness;
• to instill and enrich a sense of culture and an historical understanding of art;
• to teach students to be more visually analytical;
• to develop manual dexterity and creativity.

These objectives will be attained through slide presentations of art pieces - both
historical and recent (i.e. masters like Da Vinci, as well as student work). Students and teacher together will analyze process, intention and outcome of the piece(s). Following this, the students will go about discovering their own abilities and creativity through the creation of their own pieces. In this process, they will be exposed to diverse elements of 2-D theory, color theory, various media techniques, etc.

Performing Arts Objectives:

• to present the performing arts in all of their aspects as human activities:
  a. a means of self-expression,
  b. a means of communication,
  c. a part of the social and cultural development of humankind,
  d. a science,
  e. an enjoyable activity;


• to present at least four live performances by students, faculty, and occasional outside groups each year;
• to provide the student body with the opportunity to participate in choral, instrumental, and theatrical arts;
• to encourage students who demonstrate talent to improve their proficiency;
• to provide academic courses in the fundamentals of the performing arts each year
  for interested students in Grades 10 - 12.

Note: All students must successfully complete at least one credit in Fine Arts for
graduation. This requirement may be fulfilled by successfully completing one
of the following:

1. Contemporary Music (Grade 10)
2. Art I (Grade 10)
3. Chorus (Grade 10, 11, 12)
4. Public Speaking (Grade 11, 12)

For course descriptions and requirements, click to view the Program of Studies Booklet.