10th Grade Visual & Performing Arts

Exploration of how varied line weights and tonal ranges create the illusion of form and depth on a flat surface.

Students differentiate between 2D shapes and 3D forms, applying techniques to create the illusion of volume and depth on a flat surface.

An investigation into the science of color mixing and the emotional associations of different palettes in contemporary art.

Students apply linear and atmospheric perspective techniques to create realistic and surreal architectural spaces.

Students explore how artists create the illusion of texture through various drawing techniques and analyze the impact of actual texture in mixed media.

Students analyze how artists use symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial balance, and techniques for creating focal points in a composition.

Students explore how repetition, alternation, and progression create visual rhythm and direct the viewer's gaze through an artwork.

Students investigate how artists achieve visual harmony while maintaining interest through the strategic use of diverse elements.

Students learn fundamental techniques in digital painting and graphic design software, exploring how digital media expands compositional possibilities.

Students apply formal art criticism methods to analyze and evaluate their own and peers' 2D artworks, focusing on elements and principles.

Analyzing how time signatures, syncopation, and tempo influence the physical and emotional response of the listener.

Students explore the construction of melodic lines, intervals, and how phrasing creates musical sentences and emotional arcs.

Students examine the relationship between melody and harmony, focusing on how different scales evoke specific cultural or emotional contexts.

Students investigate the unique sound qualities of different instruments and voices, and how instrumentation choices shape a piece's character.

Students analyze common musical forms (e.g., binary, ternary, rondo, theme and variations) and how they provide coherence to a composition.

A look at modern music production and how technology has expanded the definition of an instrument.

Students explore how different cultures use musical elements to express and evoke specific emotions, comparing Western and non-Western traditions.

Students analyze the function of film scores, sound effects, and leitmotifs in shaping narrative, character, and audience experience.

Techniques for building a believable character through internal objectives and external physical traits.

Students practice vocal techniques including projection, articulation, and inflection to convey character and emotion effectively.

Students explore physical storytelling through gesture, posture, and stage blocking to enhance character and narrative.

An analysis of set design, lighting, and blocking to understand how the physical environment shapes the narrative.

Students investigate how costumes and props contribute to character, setting, and thematic elements of a theatrical production.

Deconstructing dramatic texts to identify themes and determine how to translate written words into action.

Students develop improvisational skills to foster spontaneity, quick thinking, and collaborative storytelling in performance.

Students explore the role of the director in conceptualizing a production, guiding actors, and unifying artistic elements.

Students examine different theatrical genres (e.g., tragedy, comedy, absurdism) and their conventions, exploring how style impacts audience reception.

Understanding how dancers use the space around them to create shapes and convey meaning.

Students analyze the fundamental components of dance: how the body moves, its use of space, temporal qualities, and dynamic energy.

Students learn methods for creating original movement sequences using tools like repetition, contrast, and canon.

Students develop spontaneous movement responses, exploring personal expression and collaborative creation without pre-set choreography.

Examining how dance has been used historically and globally to protest, celebrate, and define cultural identity.

A survey of major historical dance forms, from ancient ritual dances to the emergence of ballet and modern dance.

Students explore contemporary dance practices, including fusion genres and collaborations with other art forms like visual art and technology.

Exploring the rebirth of classical ideals and the development of perspective and anatomy in European art.

Students analyze the dramatic intensity of Baroque art and the elaborate, playful aesthetics of the Rococo period.

Students examine the contrasting ideals of order and rationality in Neoclassicism versus the emphasis on emotion and individualism in Romanticism.

An exploration of artists' attempts to capture fleeting moments of light and color, and subsequent movements that emphasized emotional expression and symbolic meaning.

An analysis of how industrialization led artists to abandon realism in favor of abstraction and expressionism.

Studying the visual traditions of Indigenous cultures and the importance of protecting traditional knowledge.

An overview of major artistic traditions from East and South Asia, focusing on their philosophical underpinnings and unique aesthetic principles.

Students explore the diverse artistic traditions of Africa, emphasizing the functional, spiritual, and symbolic roles of masks, sculptures, and textiles.

A study of art from Latin America, focusing on pre-Columbian traditions, colonial influences, and modern movements that address identity, politics, and social justice.

Students examine art from the late 20th century to the present, exploring themes of globalization, identity, technology, and the blurring of artistic boundaries.

Learning the formal process of description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment to evaluate a work of art.

Students apply their knowledge of art elements and principles of design to formally analyze artworks and support their interpretations.

Students delve into the interpretive stage of criticism, considering historical, cultural, and personal contexts to uncover deeper meanings in art.

Exploring how the arrangement of artworks in a space creates a dialogue between pieces and tells a larger story.

Students examine the history and function of art criticism, analyzing different critical approaches and their impact on public perception and art markets.

Investigating the role of murals, monuments, and installations in public spaces and the controversies they sometimes spark.

Students explore historical and contemporary cases of art censorship, debating the boundaries of artistic freedom and societal responsibility.

Students investigate performance art as a genre that challenges traditional art forms by using the artist's body, time, and space as primary mediums.

Students explore large-scale, site-specific artworks that transform spaces and engage viewers in multi-sensory, immersive environments.

An examination of how new technologies (e.g., virtual reality, AI, interactive sensors) are transforming artistic creation and audience engagement.

Students explore the relationship between sound and sight, analyzing how artists and musicians create works that evoke a synesthetic experience.

Students investigate how stories are told across multiple platforms and art forms (e.g., film, graphic novels, video games, interactive installations).

Students reflect on their personal interests, influences, and recurring themes to articulate their unique artistic perspective and intentions.

Students learn best practices for selecting strong pieces for their portfolio and professionally documenting their artwork through photography and digital organization.

Students craft compelling artist statements that contextualize their work and develop professional resumes tailored for artistic opportunities.

Students present their curated portfolios to peers and receive constructive feedback, refining their presentation skills and artistic rationale.

Students explore diverse career paths in the visual and performing arts, from studio artist to arts administration, and learn about educational and professional opportunities.