Fine Arts

FOCUS AND PHILOSOPHY

The study of Fine Arts at Wichita Collegiate School is a requirement for students in all Divisions. We provide an appropriate and in-depth introduction to and participation in the multi-faceted world of the arts as an important form of expression. We prepare students for college-level work, both for those who will enroll in college fine arts classes to fulfill graduation requirements or for personal interest, and for those who intend to pursue professional goals in the field. Our class offerings span both visual and performance art. We believe that the study of Fine Arts has profound academic implications in addition to its expressive power, and we believe that such study should have an equal status to other academic regimens at the school.

We strive to:

- build a foundation of knowledge about Fine Arts in both visual and performing arts

- create an atmosphere for freedom of expression for each individual student's talents

- teach the discipline and techniques of creating and mastering art
- instill an appreciation of all forms of art

- encourage and mentor students choosing to pursue a Fine Arts Degree in college

We believe:

- students should support the arts through participation and attendance
- the study of Fine Arts provides a unique look at the human condition both present and past
- arts help develop the expressive capacity in students
- arts add an excitement to the student and the school
- research and data show that children who have access to an arts education curriculum do better in all other subject matters
- students learn adaptability, flexibility, self-discipline, sacrifice and an ability to work in teams
- arts provide an alternate but equally valid path to learning and knowing

We hope to:

- graduate students who are comfortable with and appreciative of the expression of thoughts and emotions through Fine Arts, either by their own contributions or the contributions of others

- graduate students who are prepared for a college-level study of the Fine Arts in their particular area of interest

UPPER SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS

The study of Fine Arts can best be accomplished through performance. At Wichita Collegiate School students have many opportunities to demonstrate their learning through art exhibits, concerts, plays and musicals. Classes for instruction in photography, 2-D art, 3-D art, videography, choral music, instrumental music, and drama all come with benefit of performances. We also teach a music theory course for those students needing a more solid foundation in the mechanics of music. The obvious outcome of this focus is that students are more able to use all of their senses and to express themselves and communicate well.