Students attending Southwestern Central Schools are given the opportunity to express themselves through art at an early age. Beginning in kindergarten, and continuing through the high school years, the arts are an integral part of a child's life. The Southwestern art department believes that giving a child a creative outlet is key to being successful in many other areas of their education.
Children in the elementary school receive art instruction on a six-day cycle where they have the opportunity to learn a variety of skills, art history and to try different media.
Once they reach the middle school, students receive art instruction every day, for 10 weeks each year. Students are able to enjoy art production, art criticism, art history studies and art appreciation. The curriculum is sequential beginning in sixth grade with the basic elements and principals of art, followed by art history studies from ancient art to the present in seventh grade, and finally in eighth grade there is a greater emphasis on the purposes of art and what it all means. Eighth-graders also receive an introduction to careers in art and are guided as to which high school art classes may best suit them.
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Students attending Southwestern Central Schools are given the opportunity to express themselves through art throughout their time there.
As the students enter ninth grade they are encouraged to take Studio in Art, the foundation course for all the classes available in the high school. Studio in Art explores many media techniques while expanding on the student's art history knowledge.
After the completion of Studio in Art, students may choose from a number of art electives specific to their particular interests. Ceramics, sculpture, crafts, photography, drawing and painting are among the classes offered. As a senior, art majors may choose to participate in Advanced Placement art to receive college credit.
The Southwestern art students also have an opportunity to participate in a field trip to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, a student art show at the Lakewood Library, several traveling exhibits in the community and a final show during the May Lawn Social.
The learning that takes place in the visual arts is essential to education in the 21st century. It strengthens literacy, as the arts are an essential language. It helps develop a globally competitive work force, as the arts develop essential skills for global competitiveness. Finally, the arts promote active and complex learning to nurture the all levels of learners.