Curriculum & Educational Philosophy
The underlying premise of Arts in Action VAP is that all children are artists. Our process-oriented curriculum demystifies drawing, painting, and sculpting in a logical and analytical way, empowering children to create with confidence.
Learning a visual arts language deepens a child’s perspective and insight just as it does in math, reading, and academic subjects.
The sequential curriculum for children and adults builds basic component skills of: the perception of edge & line, form & space, understanding of composition, creation of colors, light & dark, negative & positive shapes, mass & volume; all are concepts that ultimately fuse into a finely tuned sense of visual awareness. Each lesson introduces one or more of these skills & concepts, along with art materials & techniques.
The subject of each lesson becomes a catalyst for children to see in a richer & more accurate way. When a child is able to look beyond their initial perception of the subject, they are free to effectively create what they imagine.
Cognitive shifts into right brain creative thinking produce breakthroughs that are revealed on the faces of students & their artwork: experiences that are key to unlocking creativity in every child.
Visual awareness becomes another language that children use to express who they are, how they feel about themselves and the world around them.
Studies have indicated that a sequential, skill-based fine art education develops crucial abilities for school-aged children:
- Critical Thinking
- Sequencing
- Fine Motor Coordination
- Analytical Reasoning
- Lengthened Attention Span
All of these areas enhance learning of other subject areas such as reading, writing and math. The AIAVAP curriculum also fosters self expression, self esteem and a sense of empowerment.