Four Ways MUSE Global Teaches Visual Arts
At MUSE Global, we believe in a holistic approach to education that infuses academics with passion and a true love of learning. From early childhood education (ECE) all the way through high school, students at MUSE are encouraged to find what drives them, what excites them, what keeps them asking “why” and “what else.” As individuals, students learn in a variety of different ways and are motivated by an abundance of different topics and ideas. Because of this, we thoroughly recognize the importance of going beyond academics and include Specialist Programs as part of our curriculum, one of which is our Visual Arts Program.
MUSE Visual Arts Curriculum
Not long ago, art education was considered a luxury. Even in today’s world, we often see public schools scale back classes in the arts when budget reductions are made, with more resources and time pushed to traditional academic curriculums. But at MUSE, we understand that arts integration, especially visual arts, is crucial in enriching a student’s education and creating a basis upon which to thrive academically and beyond. At MUSE, the visual arts are a critical part of our students’ education. Learning through visual arts can provide a gateway into more difficult concepts, making them easier to understand. They help students to develop motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making, and inventiveness. They can help to both bridge gaps between cultures and celebrate the beauty in our differences.
How MUSE Teaches Visual Arts
1. Using Visual Arts Throughout Education
The great visual artist Pablo Picasso is often quoted as having said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” For MUSE students, education in the visual arts starts from the earliest ages and continues and expands throughout their time here. MUSE’s ECE students begin to develop their skills by learning basic fundamentals and, over the years, grow to understand artistic perception, creative expression, and the value of aesthetics. As their skills improve, students experiment with different mediums and techniques. They study art throughout history and learn how it has both shaped and continues to a driving force in the world today.
2. Pursuing Visual Arts Abroad
Once they reach middle school, students at MUSE are eligible (and encouraged!) to apply for our International Visual Arts trip. On this trip, students spend an entire week abroad, studying some of the world’s greatest works of art firsthand and becoming immersed in the culture of a new and exciting city. In the past, MUSE students have traveled to places like Tokyo, Japan, and Florence, Italy!
3. Contemporary Art in Japan
In Tokyo, MUSE students had the opportunity to meet real-life artists and animators at Studio Ghibli, one of the most acclaimed animation studios in the world and creators of beloved films like Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. They had an extraordinary immersive experience at TeamLab, a contemporary art collective whose members (artists, programmers, engineers, animators, mathematicians, and architects) create works that explore the convergence of art, science, tech, and nature. The students were able to further engage with the rich culture of Japan by staying at a traditional residential home, thereby directly experiencing the beautiful way of life in this faraway city.
4. Renaissance Art in Italy
In Florence, students were able to explore the city that gave rise to Europe’s Renaissance. They visited the Uffizi Gallery, home to exquisite works of art by great Italian artists such as Botticelli, Giotto, Cimabue, and Michelangelo. And speaking of Michelangelo, they even got to visit his world-famous statue of David (among many others!) at the Galleria dell’Accademia. In addition to the central arts focus of this excursion, students stayed at a traditional Tuscan olive oil farm and spent some time assisting with harvesting crops and even met some farm animals.
Visual Arts in Summary
The visual arts are a pivotal component of a student’s education. At MUSE Global, we strive to inspire and prepare our students for their future ahead and to celebrate all ways of learning. Finding passion in learning lies at our core, and exposure to (and an education in) the visual arts is just one of the ways MUSE Global embraces the interests of all of our students and encourages them to pursue what they love.
Learn more about our specialist programs.
