At Park, the arts are an essential part of our daily lives. They frame our experience of the world, serve as vehicles for personal expression, and enhance our exploration of history, culture, and heritage. Our students experience the arts as painters, actors, dancers, and musicians, as audience members, critics, and teachers. Art is often part of teaching and learning in other subjects. Art is everywhere in the school.
In Kindergarten through eighth grade, a sequenced and developmental program in visual and performing arts emphasizes expression, creativity, and skill mastery. In the Upper School, the arts program provides opportunities for advanced study and accomplishment in several art disciplines.
Special programs and performances bring artists to our community. An Exhibitions Program brings several shows by visiting artists of national reputation to the school each year. An Upper School Exhibitions class assists in curating the shows and speaks about them in assemblies and to smaller groups in gallery presentations. Students in all grades meet and work with local and national artists, create works of art that address similar themes, and hang their pieces in a complementary exhibition.
Residencies, assemblies, and trips to museums, theaters, concert halls, and studios provide additional opportunities for students to learn from visual artists, musicians, dancers, and actors.