Students and staff have earned significant recognition for their achievements and are expected to continue to do so. The department received the Golden Bell Award as the first place winner for excellence from the California State Boards Association in 1992. Rapidly changing world conditions impact not only the nations of the world, they also impact their schools.
Art schools are no exception.
Arts High, in the year 2000 and beyond, will maintain goals and objectives that emphasize creativity, flexibility, and adaptability. The Visual Arts Department will continue to meet the needs of all students, not just the gifted, with an effective portfolio review process and by maintaining parallel academic standards. The department encourages students to develop artistic expression and the skills necessary to develop visual literacy and emphasizes respect for individuality in order for students to achieve their maximum potential as makers and consumers of visual images. The department encourages students and staff to become sensitive to gender balance and receptive to people of color pursuing non-traditional careers in the visual arts. The department also encourages students to attain aesthetic, creative, and technical excellence by teaching advanced problem solving and the skills necessary for evaluating images and the by-products of creativity.