Visual Arts Handbook
Denver School of the Arts, Visual Arts Department
VA Studio Phone: 720 424-1776
VA Studio Phone: 720 424-1776
VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT
HANDBOOK
HANDBOOK
Mission
The VA Program is designed to provide students with a strong interest or ability in visual arts the opportunity for in-depth study of all aspects of art. Curriculum spirals out from solid foundation classes at the middle school level to advanced techniques and individualized projects in high school. Strong technical skill, aesthetic awareness, critical thinking and historical background play integrated roles in this study. Students learn to read, write and talk about art as well as develop their own work.
We seek to nurture the personal vision and voice creative spirit while and providing strong foundation skills from which to grow. We promote a strong work ethic recognizing that success requires hard work, regular practice and a commitment to grow and evolve.
The visual arts are used to strengthen cognitive and emotional development as students are trained to be creative, critical thinkers. The Department’s primary goal is to create lifelong advocates for the arts with a sophisticated sense of visual literacy. It is our hope that students leave DSA with a strong appreciation of art and skills to decipher, evaluate and comprehend meaning in our contemporary world. Graduates leave DSA with a strong portfolio preparing them for a career in the visual arts should that be their choice of profession.
FACULTY
Deb Rosenbaum
A native of Denver, Deb received a B.A. in Art History from the University of California and completed graduate study in art education at Florida International University. She chaired the art department at Hannan High School in New Orleans for 9 years, developing curriculum for studio art, art history and Louisiana history. While Director of the Kauai Academy of Creative Arts in Hawaii, she received state grants to write art and social studies curriculum for public elementary schools. Deb is a mixed media artist working in sculpture, drawing, painting, printmaking and mixed media box assemblage. Her work is in the collection of Hawaii’s State Foundation for Culture and the Arts and she has shown work professionally in Hawaii, New Orleans and Denver. Deb is the recipient of study fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts (1995, 2009), the National Endowment for the Humanities (2003 and 2008), The Fund for Teachers (2007), Chicago Art Institute (2005), the Japan Memorial Fulbright Fund (2006), and the Kansas City Art Institute (2005 and 2009). She currently serves on the Public Art Committee for the City of Denver and the Personnel Committee at DSA.
This is her 7th year at DSA. deb_rosenbaum@dpsk12.org
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
The Visual Arts program is a seven-year educational study. The majority of new students are accepted into the 6th and 9th grades. Other grades are accepted on a space available basis.
Students interested in applying to the department are required to attend a pre-audition meeting in December and submit an application on line. Drawing auditions and interviews are scheduled at the December meeting for late January. Accepted students are notified in March for the following school year. Additional qualified students may be placed on a wait list as further openings become available.
The audition is consists of a one-hour group drawing session at DSA. Those who meet the drawing and creativity criteria will be “called back” for a short interview and portfolio review about one week later. Portfolios must have 8 finished pieces of the students’ choice. See the “auditions” link on our web page for more information.
CONTINUED ENROLLMENT
All VA students take part in Juries at the end of each semester with the art faculty. Annual reacceptance into the program is dependent on class grades, fulfillment of department requirements, participation, attitude and work ethic. In May, all students must present an updated resume, a complete portfolio the year’s work and be prepared to discuss progress and objectives for further study. Students must maintain a B for the semester grade to avoid Arts Probation. Under “probation” the student has one semester to bring the grade up to a B or they must leave the program.
CURRICULUM
Curriculum is designed to spiral out from a tight center of basic skills and knowledge in the middle school to more complex media exploration at the high school level. (See VA Scope and Sequence link on our web page). Juniors and seniors do concentrated work on individual portfolios under AP Studio guidelines. DSA curriculum is aligned with Denver Public School District and State Visual Arts Standards. Students at all levels will have the opportunity to learn skills and concepts while experiencing a variety of media. Department curriculum is integrated with two and three-dimensional forms and includes art history, art criticism, technique and principles. Our goal is to integrate other disciplines and departments at DSA with visual art projects.
Visual Art Majors are divided into three tiers: beginner, intermediate and advanced. VA students have art for a 110-minute block daily except for bloc days when classes are 90 minutes. Teachers reserve the right to place students in classes based on their maturity, skill level, or class size rather than chronological age or grade. Students alternate between the two art teachers and guest artists.
The Visual Arts Department also offers art electives. Course offerings vary each semester but may include aesthetics, drawing and painting, ceramics and sculpture.
Beginning Level, Grades 6 – 8, Basic Skills
Emphasis is placed on the art elements, principles of design, foundation drawing, and painting. World Art including Western and Non-Western Art History is presented through a variety of themes. Students develop art vocabulary as they learn to analyze works of art and participate in critiques. Classes usually complete a community service art project each year. Students learn about the variety of art careers.
Intermediate Level, Grades 9 – 10, New Techniques
Students will continue to explore the art elements, drawing, painting and design through the medium of printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and jewelry. Impressionism through Modern Art periods are surveyed. Guest artists provide additional experiences and study. Students learn to accept and implement suggestions and critiques from their instructors and peers, enter competitions and hang art exhibitions.
Advanced Level, Grades 11 – 12, Portfolio Development
As students acquire mastery in theory and technique, they are encouraged to develop a personal voice and to identify themes and techniques of particular interest to them. Emphasis is on the completion of a portfolio demonstrating breadth at the end of the junior year. Seniors create a concentration portfolio on a specific theme or media of their choice. A required senior show is held every spring. Contemporary Art and “new media” will be surveyed in art history. Growth and experimentation are expected.
SYLLABI
A syllabus for each class can be found on the department web page at the beginning of the term. The syllabus provides specific information including standards, class objectives, requirements, grading information, format and a class outline.
DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS
• GALLERY REVIEWS are designed to encourage students to view art at local galleries and museums and are mandatory for all VA students. A Gallery Trip Form must be filled out for each visit and can be downloaded from the VA web page. Students follow the 4-step format learned in class. Two reviews are required of middle school students each semester. Three reviews are required per semester of high school majors. Other written assignments may be substituted for reviews at the high school level. Students can get teacher approval to present their written work in alternative forms such as orally, video or audiotape.
• ARTIST INTERVIEWS with a professional working artist are required each semester from all high school students. Forms with questions can be found on the web page.
• QUARTER SHOW ATTENDANCE Openings are held at DSA at the end of each quarter and are preceded by an optional family potluck dinner. Students are required to attend all show opening in which they have work shown.
• CRITIQUES are a fundamental component of visual art education. Constructive criticism is a learning process that promotes growth and critical thinking through open dialogue. Successful artists develop verbal and writing skills to explain their thoughts and objectives in making art and are able to evaluate the work of others. The critique is also a forum for exploring a variety of political, social, emotional and philosophical issues. Students will be taught skills and etiquette for critiques and will become familiar, and comfortable with the process.
• ENTRY IN COMPETITIONS OR SHOWS outside of DSA. Pirate Gallery's annual Day of the Dead Show, Scholastic Art, and Denver Public Schools annual shows are examples of “outside” shows. Class assignments are not considered outside shows at the high school level. Competitions and art contests are announced throughout the year and posted on the web and on the studio bulletin board. Middle School students must participate in two contests or shows per year and High School Students must enter three contests or shows per year. Due to contest demands, selected work (including that of graduating seniors) may not be returned until the following academic year.
• TOOLBOXES must be brought to class every day. The “VA Toolbox” link on the website provides a list of required personal supplies. VA students keep the same toolbox for their entire stay at DSA but must periodically replace pencils, blades, erasers or lost items. Teachers will check toolboxes periodically and give preparation points for having all materials on hand.
• SKETCHBOOKS must be brought to class everyday and are considered the artist’s most valuable resource. The book used for planning projects, as well as a personal textbook with class notes, observations, journaling, and a place to collect visuals found in various media. Students should get in the habit of keeping a sketchbook with them at all times. Sketchbooks may be graded.
SUPPLY FEES
Student studio fees are $45 per year for middle school and $55 per year for high school to be paid at registration. Fees pay for consumable supplies used by the student such as paint, paper, and clay. Denver Public Schools provides a budget that is used for tools, machinery, paper towels, soap and the rest of consumable supplies. Students may wish to purchase items for specific projects which extend beyond the scope of the class assignment. Students may be assigned items to gather or bring in from home. Specific supplies for each class will be listed in the class syllabus.
PLAGIARISM
All work done for presentation (. i.e. audition, critiques, portfolio, assignments, contests, shows etc.) must be original. Work that makes direct use of Internet images, photographs, published images or other artists’ work must show substantial and significant development beyond duplication. It is unethical, constitutes plagiarism, and often violates copyright law to simply copy an image (even in another medium) that was made by someone else.
It is always acceptable to use pictures for reference in drawing. Students should consult with their teacher if they have any questions about the appropriate use of a model. It is traditional and acceptable in the study of art to copy the work of others as a learning exercise; however, all copied work should be clearly labeled "after the work of" (supply name of artist).
HARD WORK, FLEXIBILITY AND KEEPING AN OPEN MIND
VA students are expected to commit to hard work and discipline. Drawing and sketching and other art exercises are considered practice drills in the same way musicians practice scales or dancers do daily stretches. Serious study of art includes research and continuous practice of skills previously learned. Students are expected to put in time outside of class on assignments and projects. It is assumed that students come to DSA to learn about all facets of art. Students must be open to comprehensive study and experimentation.
Some class assignments allow students greater opportunity to inject their own subject matter, personality and style, but all school assignments are designed to reinforce or teach specific concepts and skills. Assignments often require students to solve particular technical or creative problems. Part of the artistic challenge is for the student to make assignments interesting or personal. Many assignments are designed to push students in new directions, beyond their current comfort zones. Experimentation is crucial to growth. Students who do not want to grow or try new things, should not attend an art school!
DEPARTMENT RULES
Punctuality and Attendance
Students are required to be inside the studio at the beginning of class and be prepared to work. Studio time is considered valuable. Tardy students miss important instruction and warm-up exercises and usually disrupt the class when they enter late. Attendance will greatly affect the participation grade.
Absences and Late Work
Students are responsible for all work regardless of absences, suspensions or other school commitments. When returning from an excused absence, students should immediately check with the teacher to find out what they have missed. For each day of an excused absence, the student will be given two days to make up class work. Family travel is not considered an excused absence at DSA. Late work is penalized 10% per day. Work not finished for a critique will be penalized another 10%. After 10 days, credit is awarded at the discretion of the instructor.
Graffiti
DSA policy prohibits graffiti in any parts of the school. We are proud of our ability to exhibit art and want to keep our art displays "temporary" and removable so everyone has an opportunity to show their work. We provide opportunities for VA students to show their work in a manner that does not deface the building or its grounds. Students are not allowed to draw or paint on any equipment, furniture or building spaces in any of the art studios. Defacing the work of others is not permitted. If you have any questions about appropriate placement or permanence of artwork, please ask. The facility manager must approve all installation proposals.
Sale of Artwork
A 20% commission will be subtracted from all student work that is sold while on display at DSA or in DSA sponsored exhibitions. Funds are placed in the VA activity account.
Behavior
Art studios by nature are noisy places due to concrete floors, high ceilings and machinery. Horseplay, yelling and other disruptive behaviors are magnified in this setting and are not permitted. While some students may be able to work with music and loud talking, others may find these distractions disruptive. Since the studios are communal workspaces, instructors will determine the appropriate sound level according to activity. A quiet studio helps all students benefit from comments and suggestions made to individuals.
Earphones cut students off from their teachers and peers and prevent students from hearing useful information and comments made during class. Students must ask teachers for permission on a daily basis before using headsets.
Students are required to follow all safety procedures. Failure to comply with rules will result in suspension of studio privileges and/or assigned maintenance and clean up duties as deemed necessary by the instructors.
Food is prohibited in all DSA classrooms. It is especially dangerous to mix food and art materials. No food or drink of any kind is allowed in the art studios with the exception of water bottles with a screw-on lid or cap. Students should remember to wash their hands after working in the studio before handling food.
Respect and honesty is mandatory for a successful learning environment and communal workspace. All students should be aware of and respectful of the work of others to avoid damage. Constructive comments are a part of the educational process in art, but should be reserved for formal critique sessions or when they are directly asked for. Respect for teachers and all students is expected at all times. Bullying will not be tolerated.
GRADING
The grading plan for each class is outlined in its individual syllabi.
Participation points are important components of the semester grade and are based on attendance, attitude, behavior, work ethic and class critiques.
Tests and quizzes are an important tool for assessing comprehension and progress. Students are expected to learn art vocabulary and concepts, as well as techniques, so they can fully participate in dialog and discussions. A successful artist must be able to spell and communicate.
Projects consist of longer assignments that often require additional time outside of class to complete. They may include gathering specific materials, research, and presentation of a finished piece at a formal critique.
VISITING ARTISTS
Visiting artists are an important component of the DSA visual arts education. The Friends of DSA provide funds for this purpose along with money we raise as a department. Guest artists may present a talk, slide show or demonstration of their work, or, they may be invited to do specialized workshops for our students. Guests may also be used to provide expertise in setting up a particular area or program.
Many art school representatives visit our classes to show student work and to talk about advanced art study. All Visual Arts Majors should take advantage of special presentations within the department even if the presenter is not specifically for their class or in their particular area of interest. Students are required to attend presentations held during their scheduled class and to treat all guests with respect.
Parents and students are invited to suggest artists, however selection of appropriate guest artists is at the discretion of the Visual Arts Faculty. The faculty will review and interview all prospective presenters to be sure their presentation is appropriate and relevant to current study. Visiting artists who have specific skills and talents not offered by our faculty are preferred.
VIEWING ART IN THE COMMUNITY
The Denver area offers a wealth of diverse visual art experiences in the form of museums, galleries and performances. Viewing art, talking about it and writing reviews is an important part of our program. Class field trips will be scheduled during the year, but we encourage VA families to make art excursions a family affair. Students should become familiar with the Denver Art Museum and plan to visit different, specific floors and shows at the museum to fulfill their review requirements. The museum is free on the first Saturday of each month. Gallery Trip Forms are available on the VA web page. We also have Denver Gallery maps showing neighborhoods with concentrations of galleries.
VISUAL ARTS FAMILY GROUP
Parents are a vital part of our program. Active families support and assist Visual Art Department activities in many ways. Please be sure the VAFG has your correct e-mail or phone number so you can receive for news and be included in our Family Directory. Parents chaperon field trips, help with fund raisers, assist us in hanging shows and help prepare work for contests. Please plan to attend our family meetings posted on the web site. Quarter shows are usually preceded by a family potluck supper and parent committees sometimes meet after dinner.