The safe and responsible use of materials and tools is essential for environmental and personal safety. Students relate the visual arts to various historical and cultural traditions. It is one of humankind's most notable contributions throughout history and within all cultures. When students examine works of art from their own and other cultures, places, and times, they understand the role of the visual arts in shaping cultures and building civilizations. The exploration of art, history, and culture teaches students to understand their own expression in relation to the expressions of others.
Students analyze and evaluate the characteristics, merits, and meaning of works of art.
The study of art develops citizens who make informed critical judgments. Through thoughtful observations, descriptions, and analysis, students gain knowledge about visual communications. Students learn to respect their own ideas and artistic expressions and those of others. Aesthetic theories generally include mimetic, formalist, expressive, instrumental, institutional, and postmodern. Aesthetic inquiry - Asking questions about works of art, describing and evaluating the media, processes, and meanings of works of art, and making comparative judgments.