Visual Arts
Here at BVSD, we seek to embrace the whole child and nurture each and every student's abilities to create meaningful works of art. Authenticity (meaning 'real-world' in this case) is a strength of our program as well. We strive to get student's work displayed to the public in multiple forums throughout the city and state each year.
We take great pride in our expansive offering of Visual Arts classes throughout all levels of schools in this district, from the classical forms of art through to cutting edge 21st Century technological art classes.
Elementary
Curriculum
Kindergarten
- Identify that art represents and tells the stories of people, places, or things
- Create two- and three-dimensional work of art based on personal Relevance
- Personal feelings are described in and through works of art
- Artists and viewers recognize characteristics and expressive features within works of art
- Develops an understanding that elements can be arranged together in order and used to create works of art.
- Artists interpret connections to the stories told in and by works of art
2nd Grade
- Artistic intent
- Individual ideas to make meaning
- Make connections
- Language of art
- Art-making process
- Historical and cultural ideas are evident in works of art
- Art has purpose
- Basic studio skills
4th Grade
- Artistic intent
- Communicate ideas
- Critique process
- Infer artistic intent
- Different points of view
- Critique process
- Interpretations in works of art
- Materials and processes
- Historical time periods and cultural studies respond with empathy
1st Grade
- Use a variety of Materials & Techniques
- Art History lessons will be drawn from the grade level Social Studies curriculum. Other artists and cultures will be included
- Reflect on similarities and differences
- Personal experience as the source for invention and creation
- Transfer visual arts knowledge into other areas of study
- Aesthetic awareness will inform critical thinking
3rd Grade
- Artistic intent
- Individual ideas to make meaning
- Make connections
- Language of art
- Art-making process
- Historical and cultural ideas are evident in works of art
- Art has purpose
- Basic studio skills
5th Grade
- Communicate human experience
- Evaluative criteria when responding to works of art
- Analyzing qualities of art
- Communicate personal and objective points of view
- Assign intended meaning to works of art
- Respond to art from familiar and unfamiliar cultures
- Use technological media
- Intended meaning
- Art processes and creative thinking
Learning Materials
Middle
Middle School Art Courses
A variety of art classes are offered at the middle level to give students exposure to a variety of art types. Courses may include: Exploratory Art, Art 1 and 2, Crafts, Visual Arts Focus, Advanced Art, Three Dimensional Design, Ceramics, Photography, and Digital Art.
See here for all middle school arts classes. Note: Not all courses are offered at every school. Check your school's course catalog.
High
BVSD offers over 30 Visual Arts classes at the high school level, with multiple challenging tracks
4 levels of:
- Drawing and Painting
- Pottery and Sculpture
- Photography
- Portfolios Arts
and 3 levels of:
- Studio Art
- Digital Art and Design
See here for all high school arts classes. Note: Not all courses are offered at every school. Check your school's course catalog.
Art Shows
Every year Boulder Valley School District hosts at Art Show for students in Grades K-8 and a separate show for High School Students and BVSD teachers. These are great ways for students to show off their work in a public way and take pride in the beautiful art they've created. Explore the slideshows below to see some past art show work.
Contact Us
Emily Cosmos
Coordinator of Language Arts and Humanities, Northwest
720-561-3134
Aubrey Yeh
Coordinator of Language Arts and Humanities, East
720-561-5085
Angel Stobaugh
Director of Language Arts and Humanities, Southwest
720-561-5040