The capacity of human beings to think creatively, to create and appreciate the arts is indispensable in developing the “whole” person. The benefits of Art Education are numerous. Some of the main benefits are:
- Art enhances the problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and learning in other subject areas.
- Arts education gives students the exposure to a variety of cultures, empathy, tolerance and openness to working with others.
- Arts education prepares students for success in college and prepares students for success in the 21st century workforce through innovation, creativity and imagination.
- Arts education nurtures collaborative school culture, builds a sense of community within the school, creates ties to surrounding communities and provides a fun and creative environment.
Visual and Performing Arts has four disciplines – Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts. Each of the disciplines has standards that are grouped under the following strands: Artistic Perception, Creative Expression, Historical and Cultural Context, Aesthetic Valuing and Connections, Relationships, and Applications.
Glendale Unified School District believes in the importance of teaching the Visual and Performing Arts from K – 12th grade. The arts are an integral part of the district’s instructional program. Arts education in the elementary schools is part of the basic curriculum with students introduced to various visual and performing art experiences in the classroom program. In addition elementary students may sign up for instrumental music and choral music.
Middle and high school students have the arts available to them as both required and enrichment courses. A variety of visual and performing arts program are available for middle school students. A highlight of the middle schools performing arts event is the GUSD Middle School Honors Orchestra held during the spring semester. The three comprehensive high schools have strong performing arts programs. The performing arts program includes dance, theater, technical theater, band, orchestra and choral music. An extensive visual arts program is available at all of the high schools. The visual arts include ceramics, design, drawing and painting, photography, cinematography, and graphic design. Advance Placement Studio Art, Art History, and Music Theory courses are also available.
