Visual Arts

Imagine. Create. Inspire.

Rooted in Dalton’s progressive spirit, the K-12 Visual Arts curriculum values the creative journey as much as the final art piece. Whether students dive into art as a passion or discover their artistic talents through exploratory Assignments, the program embraces all skill levels, interests, and abilities. Each student progresses at their own pace and is encouraged to bring their individual backgrounds and cultural perspectives to their work, building artistic confidence and a personal voice.

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Balancing Freedom and Structure in Creative Exploration

The Visual Arts program encourages both experimentation and discipline, blending guided exploration with teaching essential art techniques that require focus, patience, and perseverance. Through hands-on experiences, interdisciplinary collaborations, and self-reflection, students develop a deep appreciation for the artistic process. Studio time includes Labs and collaborative learning opportunities, empowering students to take ownership of their work.

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Art as a Vibrant Part of School Life

The Visual Arts Department enriches the school community by integrating art into the fabric of school life. Exhibitions and open studio spaces celebrate students’ unique visions, providing platforms for creativity to be experienced and appreciated. By showcasing independent work that reflects their creativity and individuality, Dalton fosters an environment where art is not just a class but a meaningful part of everyday school life.

Visual Arts Curriculum

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First Program

The Visual Arts program fosters each student’s natural curiosity and creativity by encouraging exploration of art materials and self-reflection throughout the creative process. With guided exploration and hands-on instruction, students develop skills in various art materials, tools, and techniques, building confidence in their artistic vision. Through experimentation, students develop an understanding of the unique qualities and properties of different art materials, problem-solve, and integrate new insights at their own pace and plan.

Students are encouraged to draw inspiration from their personal experiences, memories, and feelings. They learn what inspires their art-making, and how they work best in the studio. They develop an understanding of lines, shapes, forms, colors, textures, patterns, and composition across multiple media, including paint, clay, paper, cardboard, fabric, wood, and found objects. Students express their personal imagery through drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, sculpture, and construction.

The program emphasizes respect for the creative process — teaching students to value their own work, value others’ art, and care for the environment by using recycled materials and treating tools and resources with respect.

To learn more about the First Program Visual Arts program, please click on the First Program curriculum guide.
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Middle School

The Middle School Visual Arts curriculum is joyful rigor that encourages personal expression and inventive thinking through the use of various art materials and techniques. Emphasizing a hands-on studio experience, the program incorporates core elements of art—line, shape, color, pattern, texture, and space. Assignments expand students' artistic skills through the exploration of media, a broadening of visual perception, and art renderings in both 2D and 3D.

The studio environment promotes compassion and respect for each student’s creative process. Students engage with a diverse range of artists, styles, cultures, genders, time periods, and media, which nurtures their exploration of new ideas and finding their own artistic voice.

The Visual Arts Department celebrates the artistry of every child and honors their artwork by displaying it throughout the school.

To learn more about the MS Visual Arts program, please click on the Middle School curriculum guide.
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High School

The High School Visual Arts program offers an expansive range of courses in two-dimensional, three-dimensional, digital, and multimedia art, providing every student with a platform to develop their artistic voice while engaging in the creative process with purpose, rigor, and dedication. The program is further enriched by a genuine studio experience where students collaborate closely with teachers to navigate the creative process, refine their visual perception, strengthen aesthetic judgment, and master technical skills.

Whether students pursue art and architecture schools or integrate art into a broader liberal arts education, they receive dedicated faculty support and guidance in preparing art portfolios.

To learn more about the HS Visual Arts program, explore the High School course catalog.
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