Classical Art at School
Christian Art Curriculum
Frequently asked questions
How does this curriculum benefit the student as a whole?
Drawing from nature retrains the brain to attend. As our attention spans get shorter and shorter, this is an ever pressing need. Drawing demands focus and intense observation. In pursuing it students are able to focus on detail more and more. As crazy as it may sound, drawing helps us to think clearly.
Why? Why should everyone learn to draw? How is it different than a hobby?
We draw in order to connect with nature, our Creator, and thus know the Truth.
I’m concerned it's too video heavy, is there a way to modify it?
We get it. In fact, we don’t even give our own teenagers cell phones. So… why did we make a digital art curriculum? First: Art is a visual language, so it is helpful to watch drawing demonstrated and many art teachers do not have the confidence in their own drawing skills to demo live - its not easy. Second: It’s hard to draw in front of a class and teach at the same time. Using our program keeps students engaged, drawing along with the demonstration, thus allowing the teacher to circulate the room and give personal feedback. But to answer the question: Yes, you can use our curriculum in the way it best fits your school. You can alternate video lessons with off screen lesson we can help design, or mix in other projects throughout the school year that your teacher may specialize in. For example, after learning how to draw the sphere with the video lesson, students can do an independent lesson drawing the phases of the moon with their new skills (without using any screens). Call us and discuss, we’ll help you customize the curriculum to fit your school.
We only teach art once a week, can this curriculum accommodate that schedule?
Yes, our curriculum can be modified to fit nearly every schedule. I can assist the teacher in a customer service call to tailor it to the schools available schedule by removing certain lessons or in some cases adding lessons for longer time slots.
How is art history incorporated?
Rather then separating out art history lessons that often don’t hold students attention, we have a unique way of organically incorporating art history into our drawing lessons. As students learn a concept we then, reinforce it be showing how the art masters used these same techniques and what specific pieces of art that it was used in. This is a special method because the students have just used the technique themselves in the lesson making them now also apart of the lineage of artists from the past. We call it, Standing on the Shoulders of Giants. It’s a big part of our curriculum that as we learn to draw we do not rethink the basics but continue in a long legacy of artists that passed down their technique from Master to Student from Greek art until Sargent.
What is Mimesis? How does it apply to this curriculum?
Learning through observation and imitation. Atelier training heavily focuses on drawing what you see in nature and also after a master artist. This is how the masters all learned how to draw and this is how we teach students how to draw and why you will see them start to draw on their own within months of using our curriculum. It’s empowering. Our curriculum also has creative lessons interwoven with observational lessons, because it is also important skill to practice but mores because young students really enjoy it and it gives a break from observational drawing. Our objective is to create a compelling classical art curriculum that students are excited for. This weaving of observational drawing with drawing animals or drawing from our imagination helps keep the students really loving their art class.
What is process verses project based learning? How does it apply to this curriculum?
Our art curriculum is process based, which means its an incremental approach to teaching the students a solid skill to be able to draw. This gives them access to a visual language necessary to innovators of all types. Project based learning however is designing an art curriculum around different fun projects losing the focus of what skill they are developing. This type of curriculum leaves the student unable to develop the skill on their own time.
Should advanced students also start with foundations?
Yes, it is important that all students begin with foundations. Scales to music are as drawing shapes to art. We don’t outgrow this skill, but hone it. After the foundations course, if you’d like to modify or move around curriculum that can be discussed and accommodated.FAQ 1 description
We have small high school classes and combine 3 years of high school into one class. How can we utilize this curriculum?
Yes, you can combine your classes, in fact many schools do! By integrating some foundational lessons into each year, the curriculum can then be cycled so that all grades do the same content for 3-4 years and then circle back to year 1. We can help customize this in a customer call or email if you like.
What materials are necessary and how are they stored?
Great attention has been given to keep supplies simple, affordable and easily stored. Year one requires a simple graphite pencil set which can be shared between two students ($30), and then year 2 uses the same materials and adds on to them a painting gouache set used by two students at a time ($50). From year 3 onwards no extra supplies are necessary. Just refills of paper and what supplies run out. You will need one classroom set for multiple classes to share. If you have andart classroom or ‘art on a cart’ - these supplies will work well to make beautiful artwork.
What technology is necessary to teach this content?
A TV or an Epson Projector, connected to a laptop.
Can this curriculum work with a warm body scenario?
This is always a strange sounding question, but the short answer is Yes. We have several schools that have a science or math or parent volunteer teach the art curriculum. After one or two lessons they get the hang of it and learn along with the kids. We are also here to answer any concerns by email or phone.
Can this curriculum work with an experienced art teacher?
Yes, this is ideal. This would be the best scenario to have a confident art teacher work with our developed curriculum. Beyond, outstanding student artwork the teacher will also be able to focus on personal relationship building with students through the process.
Art Critique, Art Gallery: How do you incorporate it?
It is highly recommended to have a designated wall to hang student artwork as they complete it. This can be in a cafeteria, an art room, or anywhere. Art is one of the few subjects that produces a tangible product - so display it! Also, students take it more seriously if they know their artwork will be seen. And once it is hung, even if it's on a clipboard, then critique happens naturally. First simply by observing how other student drawings compare with their own and then by complimenting what they like about other students work and then moving onto constructive criticism. It is so valuable to learn from peers! We’ve had schools even tell us that having the artwork in their halls has increased their enrollment in the school.
How do you roll out the art program with multiple grades?
If you started this curriculum in 7th grade, then the first year using it would mean that 7-12 all do year 1. The following the new 7th grade would do Year 1, and 8-12 would do year 2. The following year then 7th would do year 1, 8 would do year 2, and 9-12 year 3…. And so one.
Is it $600/year for all courses? Is it for a calendar 12 month year or an academic 10 month year?
Yes - you get access to all the curriculum available through the annual subscription which is for a calendar year of 12 months. So, don’t wait to subscribe so that your teacher can preview the curriculum before the school year starts, if desired.
Can I have a reference, and speak to someone who has already used this curriculum?
Of course, send me an email and I’ll give you the contact info.