While in the Fine Arts concentration, students will hone their artistic skills through practice, discipline, and constructive critique, while learning to synthesize knowledge and personal experiences in their creative work. They will learn how to generate innovative ideas, communicate through artistic literacy, and appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives. Ultimately, students will discover and refine their artistic voice, deepening their ability to interpret and respond to the world.
Senior Capstone
The Capstone course is a requirement for all Fine Arts Concentration students in the final semester of their senior year. Students engage in a self-directed project or performance to demonstrate the application and synthesis of skills and concepts gained from the courses and experiences of their chosen focus area. Working in close conjunction with Fine Arts faculty, students have the opportunity to explore a question or idea that intrigues them in a collaborative setting, allowing them to create, critique, and present their work to an audience. The Capstone also demonstrates the student’s ability to articulate the research and creative process of the work. The course concludes with a student-directed community showcase and serves as the culmination of each student’s experience as a Fine Arts Concentration student.
Fine Arts Concentration students are equipped with the ability to:
- Exhibit artistic excellence through practice, discipline, and constructive critique
- Synthesize knowledge and personal experiences in creative work
- Generate innovative ideas and solutions to problems
- Communicate through artistic literacy
- Understand diverse cultures & perspectives
- Reflect on one’s emotions, strengths, and limitations
- Analyze, interpret, and evaluate artistic work
Concentration Requirements: 2.5 Academic Credits from a Fine Arts Focus Area (Visual Art, Vocal or Instrumental Music, or Theatre) before taking the Fine Arts Capstone (.5 credit) during the spring semester of senior year
Fine Arts Focus Area Courses:
- Visual Art:
- Digital Art I (.5 credit)
- Digital Art II (.5 credit)
- Intro to Photography (.5 credit)
- Adv. Photo Techniques (.5 credit)
- Drawing and Design I (.5 credit)
- Drawing and Design II (.5 credit)
- Painting I (.5 credit)
- Painting II (.5 credit)
- Sculpture and Ceramics I (.5 credit)
- Sculpture and Ceramics II (.5 credit)
- Sculpture and Ceramics III (.5 credit)
- Sculpture and Ceramics IV (.5 credit)
- Art and Design Honors (1 credit)
- AP Art and Design (1 credit)
- Music:
- Chamber Choir (1 credit)
- Concert Choir (.5 credit)
- Concert Band (1 credit)
- Commercial Music Ensemble (1 credit)
- Guitar/Ukulele I (.5 credit)
- Guitar/Ukulele II (.5 credit)
- Music Through Technology I (.5 credit)
- Music Through Technology II (.5 credit)
- Theatre:
- Acting I (.5 credit)
- Acting II (.5 credit)
- Costume Design (.5 credit)
- Playwriting (.5 credit)
- Theatre Ensemble (1 credit)
- Intro to Theatre Arts (.5 credit)
- Theatre Arts (.5 credit)
Required experiences:
- Artist Guild audition and/or approved competitions each year
- Participate in all of your focus area shows/performances
- Attend one arts event outside your focus area per year with a written reflection
- Attend one professional arts event off campus per year with a written reflection
Experiential points (students should earn at least 5 points per year):
- Lunch and Learns
- Shadowing
- Summer Experiences
- Community Service in the Arts
- Leadership Positions
- Mentorships
Is it possible to pursue multiple focus areas?
The Capstone requires depth of knowledge, experience, and skills in order for students to be successful. Therefore, students should have at least 2.5 credits in a focus area. If a student has more electives to fulfill, then taking additional Fine Arts courses outside the focus area is possible.
What are the requirements for experiential learning and how will students make connections?
Students must earn 5 points each year they are in the concentration. These points should be earned through a combination of both on-campus and off-campus events. On-campus events such as Lunch and Learns and guest artists will be announced. The Concentration Director can help students make connections with arts experiences in the community. Students should propose experiential learning ideas to the Concentration Director for consideration.
How many years does it take to complete the Fine Arts concentration?
2.5 credits in a focus area are required prior to the Capstone spring semester of senior year. Many courses have prerequisites and because each class builds upon prior knowledge and skills, it takes three years to complete the concentration.
Throughout the year, the Fine Arts program hosts outside experts and leaders for lunch and learns, class discussions, and more. If you're interested in coming to talk with our students, serving as a mentor during our Capstone season, or partnering with the program to provide real-world learning opportunities to our students, please contact Director of Fine Arts Concentration Andrea Howard at [email protected]