Fine Arts Department Overview

The goal of the Fine Arts department is to introduce the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design, to encourage expression and creativity, to guide in the development of art skills, and to spread joy through the art produced.

Over the course of their studies in the Upper School Fine Arts Department, students…

• Connecting /Relating Artistic Ideas

• Creating

• Presenting/Exhibiting

• Reflecting/Responding

Art Foundations: Explorations of the Elements and Principles of Design

Grades 9, 10, 11 Semester .5 credit

Art Foundations is an introduction to art course which analyzes and interprets the elements and principles of design through drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and ceramics. Students are encouraged to develop their ability to see and interpret what they see through various exercises and projects, to improve their skills, and to exercise creativity with thoughtful responses to projects presented.

Introduction to Computer Science and Digital Design

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Note: This course is cross listed in Fine Arts and Mathematics. Students can determine if they wish to receive math or fine arts credit for this course.

This is an introductory project-based course for which no previous experience is required. In this course, students will explore the basics of hardware and software and use web-based tools and applications. The first focus will be digital media using the Adobe Creative Cloud (license provided by the school) where students will learn to create images and logos using Photoshop and Illustrator. The second unit is a website building section using free web-based tools where students will learn the basics of what makes a solid webpage and how to create an effective website. Last, the class will explore block-based coding with webbased tools, creating original games online. If time permits, the class will finish with basic text-based coding using Swift Playgrounds.

Media Arts: Filmmaking and Composition

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Students focus on digital storytelling with the goal of each student learning a multitude of skills related to digital video and audio content creation. Smaller project-oriented lessons will stack and build onto previous lessons ending with a cumulative with a final video project utilizing all the skills learned in the course.

Ceramics 1

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

1A (Semester) and 1B (Semester) .5 credit per semester

Prerequisite: Art Foundations or teacher recommendation; For 1B, successful completion of 1A.

Note: Ceramics 1 is composed of two semester courses, 1A and 1B; students who take 1A are not required to take 1B, and students do not need to take 1B immediately following or in the same school year as 1A. 1A and 1B each receive a .5 art credit.

Students gain knowledge of clay hand building and decorating methods as they use the three major forming methods pinching, coil, and slab to build a variety of functional, vessel and sculptural ceramic objects. Students explore surface decoration methods as well as glaze application. During 1B students work with wire forming 2- and 3- dimensional sculptures.

Ceramics 2

Grades 10, 11, 12 2A (Semester) and 2B (Semester) .5 credit per semester

Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior level.

Note: Ceramics 2 is composed of two semester courses, 2A and 2B; students who take 2A are not required to take 2B, and students do not need to take 2B immediately following or in the same school year as 2A. 2A and 2B each receive a .5 art credit.

Ceramics 2 is a second-level course with focus on hand-built clay vessels and sculpture on a larger scale. Students enhance their ability to create interesting and original ceramic objects. Students also continue to explore surface decoration with a variety of glaze applications.

Ceramics 3

Grade 12 3A (Semester) and 3B (Semester) .5 credit per semester

Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior level.

Note: Ceramics 3 is composed of two semester courses, 3A and 3B; students who take 3A are not required to take 3B, and students do not need to take 3B immediately following or in the same school year as 3A. 3A and 3B each receive a .5 art credit.

Ceramics 3 is an advanced clay course for students to broaden proficiency and develop a sense of personal artistic style in the clay form.

Studio Art 1: Beginning Painting, Drawing, and Graphic Design

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 1A (Semester) and 1B (Semester) .5 credit per semester

Prerequisite: Art Foundations or teacher recommendation; For 1B, successful completion of 1A.

Note: Studio Art 1 is composed of two semester courses, 1A and 1B; students who take 1A are not required to take 1B, and students do not need to take 1B immediately following or in the same school year as 1A. 1A and 1B each receive a .5 art credit.

Students explore drawing, painting, digital art, and collage in this two-dimensional fine arts course. Drawing skills are developed through the use of pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, and ink. Color theory and painting techniques are applied with oil pastels, watercolor, and acrylics. Concepts in design and abstraction are presented with abstract studies in collage. From representational to abstract and from basic drawing to the use of mixed media, students are encouraged to interpret, explore, and create.

Studio Art 2: Intermediate Studio Art: Painting, Drawing, Graphic Design, and Mixed Media

Grades 10, 11, 12

2A (Semester) and 2B (Semester) .5 credit per semester

Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior level.

Note: Studio Art 2 is composed of two semester courses, 2A and 2B; students who take 2A are not required to take 2B, and students do not need to take 2B immediately following or in the same school year as 2A. 2A and 2B each receive a .5 art credit.

Expanding on the knowledge and skills learned in 2D Studio I, 2D Studio 2 students explore design concepts, drawing and painting techniques, and color theory with an emphasis on individual, in-depth concentration and exploration, and development. Through group demonstrations and discussions, visual examples, digital design, and individual guidance, students develop their ability to interpret subject matter and produce thoughtful and creative works of art.

Studio Art 3: Advanced Studio Art, Creative Expression, and Exploration with Portfolio Assistance

Grade 12 3A (Semester) and 3B (Semester) .5 credit per semester

Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior level

Note: Studio Art 3 is composed of two semester courses, 3A and 3B; students who take 3A are not required to take 3B, and students do not need to take 3B immediately following or in the same school year as 3A. 3A and 3B each receive a .5 art credit.

Expanding on the knowledge and skills learned in 2D Studio 2, 2D Studio Art 3 students continue to explore design concepts, drawing and painting techniques, and color theory with an emphasis on individual exploration and development. In addition, a select group of artists are introduced, discussed, and interpreted. Through group demonstrations, visual examples, and individual guidance, students will develop their ability to interpret subject matter and produce thoughtful and creative works of art. Serious art students will also have the opportunity to build a portfolio.

AP 2-D Art and Design: AP Drawing

Grade 12 Yearlong 1 credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior level and teacher recommendation

This AP course includes two sections: Sustained Investigation and Selected Works. Sustained Investigation (60% of exam score): Students will submit images and writing to document their inquiry-guided investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision: with 15 digital images that include works of art and design and process documentation; with typed responses to prompts, providing information about the questions that guided their investigation and how they practiced, experimented, and revised, guided by their questions. Students will focus on in-depth, inquiry-based art and design making; on skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas; and on articulating information about their work. Selected Works (40% of exam score): For the portfolio, students will submit works of art and design and writing to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas: for AP 2-D Art and Design, there will be five physical works or high-quality reproductions of physical works with written responses on paper describing the materials, processes, and ideas used.

Global Online Academy Fine Arts Offerings

The courses below are a sampling of the course offerings through Global Online Academy. These courses have been taken previously and recommended by ICS students. Visit https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/student-courses to see all approved Fine Arts course offerings through GOA.

Global Online Academy: Architecture

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

The Architecture course provides an introduction to elements, principles, and processes of architecture.

Global Online Academy: Arts Entrepreneurship

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Build the networking and personal branding skills necessary to succeed in creative careers.