Curriculum

The philosophy of the Diocese of Arlington is based on the belief that each person is a unique creation, having worth as a child of God, and as a gift of God, possessing many talents. The child develops an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the order and beauty of God's creation and of man-made works of art. Art is a visual language that can be read and understood by children and teachers alike as an important part of their response to beauty in God's created world. It is the task of the teachers of art in the diocese to encourage and challenge each student to fulfill his/her spiritual, moral, social, physical and creative potential through the development of these talents. Teachers of art are charged to engage students in making, looking at, discussing and learning about art in the cultural, social and historic context. The art curriculum can sequence visual concepts, artistic media, and the study of art historical periods and themes with concepts being covered in other academic subject areas. Study of historical and cultural contexts gives students insights into the role played by the visual arts in human achievement. As they consider examples of visual art works within historical contexts, students gain a deeper appreciation of their own value, of the values of other people, and the connection of the visual arts to universal human needs, values and beliefs. They understand that the art of a culture is influenced by aesthetic ideas as well as by social, religious, political and economic factors.

The art curriculum is designed to stimulate the child to think creatively, to plan, to attempt, to evaluate and to choose to work in a variety of visual, oral and written languages with a variety of media, tools and technologies. Students understand that making and responding to works of visual art are interrelated and include perception, analysis and critical judgment.

Diocese of Arlington Office of Catholic Schools
Art Curriculum Guidelines