Visual Arts HS General Arts I

The Grade 9 Visual Arts curriculum serves as a sophisticated capstone of artistic agency, transitioning students from internal psychological exploration to the professional spheres of public art, social activism, and commercial design. The year begins with “Culturally Immersive HeART,” where students use the creative process as a tool for self-discovery and global empathy, researching family histories and diverse cultural traditions. This inward focus moves outward in “My Block, My Story,” as students conduct field research in their local neighborhoods to create public-facing street art that reflects community identity. The curriculum deepens its social commitment in “Your Voice. Your Art. Your Power,” where students draw inspiration from the Chicago-born AfriCOBRA movement to master the vibrant visual language of activism.
Technological and spatial innovation take center stage in the latter half of the year, starting with “What Sound Does it Make?,” which challenges students to engineer multi-sensory sculptures that utilize mechanics and tension to imply "sonorous capacity." This is followed by “Map Your Own Story,” where students act as environmental designers, translating their personal journeys into cartographic installations that physically transform the school’s landscape. The year reaches a professional peak with “Design Beyond the Sign,” a commercial design challenge where students synthesize their personal heritage with global icons to create impactful brand symbols. Throughout this progression, students find profound joy in their evolution from makers to "Artivists" and designers, developing advanced skills in semiotics, engineering, and site-specific analysis to ensure their unique voices command attention in both local and global contexts.

Units

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