Specialized HS Programs

Specialized HS Programs

Visual Art & Design

NY High Schools

  • Art and Design High School (02M630): Commercial Art: Cartooning, Illustration, Fashion Design (M60P)

  • Bayside High School (26Q495): Digital Art & Design program (Q12A)

  • Brooklyn High School of the Arts (15K656): Visual Arts program (K47J)

  • Dr. Susan S. McKinney Secondary School of the Arts (13K265): Visual Arts program (K42A)

  • Edward R. Murrow High School (21K525): Fine and Visual Arts (K57K)

  • Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts (03M485): Fine Arts program (M80J)

  • Fordham High School for the Arts (10X437): general program (X51A)

  • Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School (30Q501): Fine Arts program (Q40J)

  • Gramercy Arts High School (02M374): Visual Arts program (M66A)

  • High School of Fashion Industries (02M600): Art, Photography, and Graphic Design program (M68J)

  • Hillcrest High School (28Q505): Academy of Performing and Visual Arts program (Q24L)

  • Newtown High School (24Q455): Major Art program (Q34K)

  • Queens Technical High School (24Q600): Graphic Arts program (Q68B)

  • Susan E. Wagner High School (31R460): Visual Arts program (R17H)

  • Theatre Arts Production Company School (TAPCo) (10X225): Visual Arts program (X20T)

  • Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing & Visual Arts (03M415): Visual Arts (M26J)

  • St. Ann’s School

  • Little Red School House & Elisabeth Irwin High School

  • Packer

  • Stuyvesant High School


Portfolio

HS VISUAL ARTS:

AEA 10-Session visual Arts Course Outline

Goals:  Each student will complete 5 fully developed drawings and prepare a professional portfolio with 5 edited images and an artist statement by the end of the course.

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Piece 1: Abstract Art (Geometric & Color Harmony)

Medium: Colored pencil or watercolor.
Process: Abstract design using geometric shapes, contour drawing, and 5 different styles of mark-making.
Focus:
- Demonstrate principles of design (balance, movement, rhythm, contrast).
- Explore complementary color harmony.
- Use different styles of mark-making to different render values: hatching, cross-hatching, sgraffito, scribbling, and stippling.
- Create a dynamic composition that emphasizes shape, form, and color interaction. 

Piece 2: Dimensional Still Life in Perspective

Medium: Graphite pencil on paper.
Process: Student selects 5 objects from their environment that are related thematically. The objects will be different types of materials/have different surfaces or textures. Drawn using 2-point perspective, directional lighting, from observation.
Focus:
- Select objects that tell a story about your personality and interests.
- Use perspective techniques to create depth and dimension.
- Practice shading, texture, and composition to enhance the realism and narrative quality of the still life.

Piece 3: Proportional Figure Drawing

Medium: Graphite pencil on paper.
Process: Drawn from observation with directional lighting.
Focus:
- Capture the human form in correct proportions.
- Use gesture/body language in the pose to communicate emotion or action.
- Study how lighting affects form and shadow.
- Learn how to draw fabrics on form

Piece 4: Symbolic Self-Portrait

Medium: Graphite pencil for the figure, colored pencils for the background.
Process: Drawn from both a photograph and direct observation.
Focus:
- Explore personal symbolism using imagery or objects in the background that express aspects of identity.
- Use of value scales, directional lighting, and texture
- Develop skills in proportion, contour drawing, values, mark-making and blending.

Piece 5: Student’s Choice

Medium: Open, any material or technique. 2D or 3D
Process: Concept and plan developed by the student and teacher
Focus:
- Encourage personal expression and creativity.
- Explore any theme or subject matter that reflects the student’s interests.
- Experiment with different materials, techniques, and styles.

Piece 6: Preparing the Portfolio

  - Photography: Learn how to photograph each artwork professionally.
- Editing: Use Photoshop or other editing tools to enhance images (color correction, cropping).
- Portfolio Curation
- Artist Statement: Write or record a statement that discusses:
- Creative influences and inspirations.
- Personal experiences and processes in art-making and hopes for future work.

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Materials to bring:

1. Graphite pencils: HB, 4B, 4H, and one mechanical pencil .3 or .5 

2. 11x14 (smooth) Bristol Sketchbook

3. White Mars Eraser

4. Metal ruler 

Materials Provided: 

Charcoal, erasers, colored pencils, watercolor, brushes, photographs, and others

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AEA 15-Session Visual Arts Course Outline

Pieces- 1-5 (see above)

Piece 6, 7: Student’s Choice
Medium: Open, any material or technique. 2D or 3D
Process: Concept and plan developed by the student and teacher
Focus:
- Encourage personal expression and creativity.
- Explore any theme or subject matter that reflects the student’s interests.
- Experiment with different materials, techniques, and styles.

Piece 8: “Fantastical Sandwich Imagination Pencil Drawing”
Focus: (only for Art and Design High School, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Art, and/or Frank Sinatra School of the Arts)

Piece 9: Video Student Introduction.
Process:
- Select three pieces of artwork from your portfolio (Piece 1 and Piece 2 must be included).
- Upload a short video about the three uploaded pieces of original artwork.
- Photography: Learn how to photograph each artwork professionally.
- Editing: Use Photoshop or other editing tools to enhance images (color correction, cropping).
- Portfolio Curation
Artist Statement: Write or record a statement that discusses
- The materials, techniques, inspiration for subject matter in the work.
- Creative influences and inspirations. Personal experiences and processes in art-making and hopes for future work.

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DIGITAL ARTS, ILLUSTRATION AND DESIGN

Piece 1: Self-portrait, Piece 2: Still Life, Piece 3: Figure Drawing (see above)

Pieces 4-7: Additional 1 to 4 pieces to your portfolio.
- You may select pieces that were created using any material in any form.
- Suggestions: Re-design 5 characters from your favorite live-action TV show or movie. Create a poster design promoting an upcoming event or advertising a new product. Include imagery and text.
- Create a book cover design of your favorite book: Include title and author. Redesign a logo from one of your favorite companies.

Piece 8: For Animation: Fantastical Sandwich. 
Process:
- For Digital Arts or Illustration: Using pencil and paper, stage an interesting scene of a character eating a sandwich in 3 phases.
- For Graphic Design: MTA Subway Poster Advertisement. (Image and brief description of the sandwich, Name of the restaurant and sandwich, Slogan for the sandwich stating why it is special)


HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS LINKS


  • Applications are available from October 11, 2023 through December 1, 2023.Tuesday, October 1, 2024: Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) Registration Opens 

  • Friday, October 18, 2024: SHSAT Registration Closes