Introductory Remarks About the Fine Arts Programs

The fine arts play a key role in our culture and the human experience, past, present, and future. The arts help define and bridge cultures. The arts are integral and central to our success, well-being, and quality of life. Without the arts, our lives would be dull, colorless, and lack creativity and expression. The arts are the unique part of the human experience that integrate emotion and intellect to express the power and soul of the human spirit.

The Boulder Valley School District offers a variety of studies in the visual arts, music, and performing arts in all schools at all grade levels. The programs in the schools are more alike than different in that student participation, appreciation, creativity, skill acquisition, knowledge, performance, production, and artistry are key components in the expectations we have of our students in all fine arts classes. The fine arts course work in all BVSD schools is relatively standardized, but there are variations that reflect professional preferences, community interests, and traditions within the school. With the BVSD standards and curriculum as guiding principles for instruction, each teacher brings his or her unique professional expertise that makes each class a special experience for students.

The BVSD fine arts faculty and staff thank the entire Boulder Valley community for your support of our programs and for the opportunity to work with your students.

Assessment in the Fine Arts

Assessment is a key component of the fine arts programs in Boulder Valley. Formal assessments play a role in determining student attainment of our educational goals. In all areas of the fine arts, public performances and shows are the assessments that are open for public review and enjoyment throughout each school year. Student performances and shows are a body of evidence that display our students' creativity, artistry, and mastery of the intellectual concepts that are essential for artistic expression. Classroom assessments coupled with public performances and exhibitions are a continuous showcase for the achievements of our students and professional staff. We encourage the community at large in the Boulder Valley School District to attend musical events, art shows, and theater productions on a regular basis. 

More Fine Arts Information 

The table at the top of all our fine arts pages contains links pointing to a variety of information about the fine arts programs in BVSD. Be sure to check the websites of specific schools for more detailed information about classes, faculty, and special events. Any correspondence or questions may be addressed to Roy Holloway at roy.holloway@bvsd.org, Director of Fine Arts, Boulder Valley Schools.