The primary goal of the Visual Arts program is to broaden our children's ability to creatively express themselves. The creative arts are a means whereby children give aesthetic form to their ideas and feelings and gain personal satisfaction through individual accomplishments. The Visual Arts program at Lippman, with its emphasis on integrated curriculum, is designed to encourage observational and aesthetic awareness, introduce principles of art and materials, teach creative problem solving, and the self-evaluation process, as well as nurture growth, self-esteem, and a sense of understanding about the diversity of our world.
The environment within the Visual Arts program encourages each child:
- to become aesthetically sensitive, observant, alert, aware, perceptive, critical, and analytical
- to broaden their ability to express themselves using the elements and principles of design
- to solve problems independently using ideas and solutions which are uniquely their own
- to understand, use, and develop criteria for the creative and evaluative process
- to develop a deeper sense of pride in him/herself as the result of growth, learning, and creative effort
- to develop a deeper understanding of their community, culture, history, and world
Kindergarten & Elementary School
Kindergarten & Elementary school children participate in the Visual Arts program which is designed as a disciplined-based program. This concept was first introduced in the Getty Foundation Report which emphasized the importance of art education for today's children.
- "The visual arts convey knowledge and meaning through two-and three-dimensional forms, such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, architecture, technology, and product design. The ability to understand the meanings communicated by these visual forms requires instruction that teaches children how to understand them."
Disciplined-based art education emphasizes four major areas of study:
- Personal Expression and Response
- Artistic Heritage
- Art in Society
- Aesthetic Judgement
Middle School
Middle School children engage in the Fine Arts program which progresses through the following areas of study:
- Visual Self-Expression
- Art History
- Aesthetics
- Art Criticism
- Studio
- Impressionism
- Surrealism
- Expressionism