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Kenzie Formeck » Visual Arts at Decatur » Art Opportunities

Art Opportunities

Where to Enroll in Classes or Workshops:

 

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Middle School
 

Middle Schoolers Applying to High School Art Programs:

Applying to High School Art Programs

  • Deadline: There are TWO ways for students to audition for Senn Arts VISUAL ART
        1. Schedule an In-Person Audition for one of three dates through GoCPS. This is the preferred option. (November Deadline)
        2. Submit a Digital Audition Submission instead of attending In-Person. (December Deadline)
      • An audition-based Fine & Performing Arts Magnet Program where creative Chicago students pursue artistic and academic excellence. Senn Arts provides students with an environment that fosters academic, social, and personal growth to cultivate artistic members of the global community.
  • Deadline: 9 am, Monday, June 15th
      • Honors Art I³ is a special class designed for freshmen who have a strong interest and talent in the visual arts. It is expected that students in this course intend to continue on into advanced studio art classes in subsequent years. It is taught by all three of the art teachers, each teaching in their area of expertise, is more rigorous and advanced than Honors Art I, and is modeled on the format and requirements used in the advanced studio classes. A major component of Honors Art I³ is the 20-Hour Project, which is a self-directed, independent project that students create outside of class each semester. Their work is then featured in special exhibitions at the end of each semester.
        1. 2026 VA Presentation
        2. Portfolio Tips
        3. Portfolio Template
  • Deadline: TBA
  • Deadline: TBA - December 2026
    • The mission of the LPHS Visual Art Staff is to emphasize the value of the visual and creative arts that impact contemporary society. By exposing students to traditional art forms and digital media, we nurture creative expression and instill appreciation of the importance of the arts, and the impact that the visual arts have on our everyday lives. We teach students to develop as independent artists through a variety of course offerings that emphasize global concepts, and IB ATL skills through exposure to areas of art. We present authentic art experiences that mirror the work of professional artists, designers and photographers. All experiences are rooted in the Artist Studio Habits of Mind. We provide a pathway for all students that express interest in the visual arts through Honors, AP and IB visual arts coursework. All students are encouraged to explore the visual arts as a career pathway or area of interest.
    • Visual Art Pathways
    • VAM Application Information

Art Programs Without Application Requirement

      • The Visual Arts mission is to embrace and teach any motivated student: whether they are the eager artist with little skill, the emerging artist with developing skill or the gifted artist with considerable skill. Our only expectation is that students work hard and trust that creativity is learnable, and therefore, teachable. Initially, students will find their visual voices through exploration and mastery of different artistic methods and materials. As students build a strong foundation of abilities, courses will rely less on teaching students how to communicate, and will investigate and facilitate what ideas they want to communicate through reflection of self, peers and process. Students will be encouraged to participate in a culminating experience class, such as Advanced Placement Portfolio or Capstone Seminar. These classes will allow truly meaningful and independent demonstration of visual expertise and purpose through collaboration, presentation and personal expression.
      • Art Concentration Curriculum Map 
      • The Arts are vital to an education that prepares students to solve 21st Century problems with innovation and ingenuity. At Lane, we believe all students are artists, and each has important ideas to share with the world. To help students express their unique vision, we offer an incredible array of opportunities and experiences in the visual arts. Lane courses range from digital design to fiber arts, painting to metals, and traditional to contemporary arts. All Lane students can take elective art courses where they will find ways to express their creativity even if they have little or no prior experience making art. In addition, students can declare to be in Art Concentration, taking a three or four year sequence that leads to a deep and well-rounded artistic training, the development of a portfolio and a final art exhibition.
      • To provide a strong foundational/introductory course and a wide range of course options that allow students to choose both intermediate and advanced level courses based on areas of interest. All visual art courses are designed for students seeking lifelong enrichment through visual arts. The Taft Visual Art teachers are proud to be part of the global International Baccalaureate learning community. IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
      • Disney II is a Fine Arts and Technology Magnet School.  As such, we are proud to offer an uncommonly robust list of Fine and Performing Arts classes. Art I, Advanced Art Lab, Mixed Media I & II, Sculpture I & II, Ceramics, Graphic Arts, and Multimedia Arts.
      • Our department nurtures students in becoming successful visual communicators, and we support students in exploring individual concepts while developing a variety of art techniques and skills. Our department has a unique blend of traditional and digital media with contemporary art practices and creative problem-solving at its core. Students have the option to explore and create work in digital photography, animation, and video. In addition, students can take classes in traditional areas such as drawing and painting, mixed media, ceramics and portfolio development. Within each of these disciplines, students consider how their technical and aesthetic choices support their investigations of topics that interest them.
      • Students will learn art forms such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, design, photography, printmaking, crafts, photography, video, filmmaking and architecture. Artistic disciplines such as performing arts, conceptual art and textile arts involve aspects of the visual arts as well as arts of other types. Applied arts such as graphic design, fashion design, industrial design, interior design and decorative art are also included within the visual arts.
    • Our goal is to empower students by tapping into their creative instincts. By giving them creative academic programming such as an art integrated curriculum and "habit of mind" initiative we are changing the engagement of our students and developing their creativity, curiosity, and intellect in a way that educates the whole student. 
    • Our Fine & Performing Arts Program allows students to explore a range of artistic disciplines, from media and visual arts and music to dance and theater. Whether they are just starting or looking to pursue more advanced instruction, we strive to meet each student at their level and help them grow as artists.

 

Community High School Art Programs