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Elementary Arts | Secondary Art | Art Education Office | Student Exhibitions
Elementary Art Program
Spectra Art (K - 5)
Spectra Art is our District-funded elementary art program. It provides students with sequential, standards-based art instruction over the entire school year. Students work with a wide range of media and processes. Spectra is an art-centered curriculum with a focus on developing skills and encouraging self-expression. Artist-teachers rotate among the classrooms of new teachers (first, second, and third years in PAUSD) providing weekly or bi-weekly lessons.
Meet the Masters Art Heritage Program The Meet the Masters program has been supporting our basic art curriculum for over 20 years. Docents from the community are trained by the PAUSD Art Education Office to deliver Meet the Masters lessons to classrooms of requesting teachers. Lessons cover art history and hands-on projects based on the work of 12 selected "master" artists. Everyone enjoys this fun and rewarding program.
Volunteer! Become a Meet the Masters Art Docent. Training sessions are held throughout the year. For information about how to become a docent, please visit Volunteer! or contact the Art Education office at (650) 329-3939.
Secondary Art Program
The Visual Art program in secondary schools extends the instruction provided in elementary education and gives interested students the opportunity to further their skills and expression. Classes are aligned with state and District Visual & Performing Arts Content Standards.
In Middle School, the visual arts are elective courses, and classes are offered at beginning and intermediate levels.
In High School, students have the opportunity to take advanced classes, including several advanced placement courses. Specific classes may vary at each school. Details are provided in school course catalogs.
| Art Spectrum |
Ceramics/Sculpture |
| Art History/AP |
Design: 3-Dimensional |
| Drawing & Painting |
Photography/Advanced Photography |
| Advanced Drawing & Painting |
Video Production |
| Studio Art AP |
Graphic Design |
| New Digital Media |
|
Art Education Office
The PAUSD Art Education Office provides valuable resources and assistance for K - 12 teachers who want to plan lessons that include aspects of the visual arts. Some of the available resources include:
| Library |
Books about art, artists, art history, cultures and traditions, art techniques and processes, and children's literature selected for its artistic content |
| Multimedia Materials |
Video tapes, slides, transparencies, and large art reproductions |
| Take 5! |
60 portfolios developed around different themes, each containing five art reproductions |
| Idea Drawers |
A collection of lessons on arts and crafts as well as integrated lessons, taken from many sources |
Student Exhibitions
Youth Art Exhibition
As part of Youth Art Month in May, we display selected K-12 work. The Palo Alto Art Center generously provides their main gallery for a major three-week exhibition. The show, which traditionally opens on Mother's Day each year, is among the most popular shows at the Art Center. In addition, selected artwork of elementary students is displayed in many other venues around the city, such as local legislative offices, businesses, and Stanford University's School of Education.
Youth Art Exhibition (K - 12)
Palo Alto Art Center
May 11 - June 1, 2003
More details will be posted in May.
Rotating District Art Show
Throughout the school year, the Art Education office coordinates a rotating display of student work in the hallways of the District office (25 Churchill Ave.). Each middle school and high school has its own six-week show. Elementary schools share a six-week display. Visitors are always welcome!
School Art Shows
Each PAUSD school displays student artwork in various settings throughout the year. Contact individual schools for details. Many schools also present online galleries on their Web sites. Please visit!
Patty Larrick, District Art Coordinator
If you have questions, contact Art Education at (650) 329-3939 or arted@pausd.org.
Revised January 2003 |