Students often involve themselves in two or three arts at the same time, and creative accomplishment, with the high regard it enjoys in the community, becomes a significant part of their school life. Studio Commonwealth houses studios for printmaking, ceramics, and drawing and painting, along with two darkrooms. In addition to working in their regular art classes, students often spend free periods in the studios. They design their own projects, with advice from instructors, and work at their own pace. Beginning and advanced courses in life drawing provide an opportunity to sketch and paint from live models, and include the study of anatomy and composition.
Art teachers assist seniors in preparing portfolios.
Commonwealth students regularly win awards in the Boston Globe Scholastic Art competition. The school is home to a number of talented musicians. About a quarter of the student body, and a third of the faculty and staff, sing together in the chorus, rehearsing works from a variety of periods, cultures, and composers. A smaller chorale, for which singers audition, practices demanding shorter works, and along with the student chamber orchestra joins the chorus for its winter and spring concerts. Vocal and instrumental soloists perform at those concerts, as well as at music assemblies in May and at graduation.