Studies have shown that art enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, lateral thinking, complex analysis and critical thinking skills. No matter what career you choose, those who can arrange, present and display material in a way that is aesthetically pleasing have an advantage.
Art programs begin with observation of the real world: recording, analysis and creation of a visual response to the surroundings. Art encourages students to look at things anew and to discover the tools for expressing your culture, you interests and your feelings.
The teaching of Art and Design here at AIS School aims to promote an understanding of the many disciplines of art and design such as Painting, Drawing, Graphic design, Digital art making, 3D Crafts and 2D Crafts in many variety’s. Through focusing on key areas of art and design and different cultures, art history and contemporary art, we develop rich, truly independent
Art can prepare you for careers in the medical, engineering and business fields especially for visual learners, you will learn to synthesize information visually, develop designs, diagrams, present work, digitally record problem solving and stages of design; we aim to prepare students for the many growing IT and Computer related digital design careers.
Visual arts 1 for high school explores painting, drawing, graphic design, ceramics, print and other varieties of crafts throughout the year promoting the students research, design and artwork skills based on relevant themes.
Visual arts 2 is a more intensive and in depth approach to teaching and learning through our arts program.
IB visual art is an HL course whereby students explore one theme in depth, in a studio-project format over a period of 2 years culminating in an exhibition of their work, a process-portfolio and a graded comparative essay. Students experience a wide variety of media and select and choose the types of artwork they wish to explore with the instructors guidance.
Over the past few years, AIS has emphasized that all students should have access to quality instruction in the Performing Arts. High school students select their best course of study according to their interests and talents, which will include Guitar I and II, Piano I and II, Drama I and II, Dance I and II, Choir, and Band. Level II classes will allow advanced students to progress and offers more opportunities for performance.
Guitar and Piano:
Students taking Guitar and Piano courses will learn to use their fingers with more dexterity while learning a variety of scales and chords. Using these techniques, students will learn new music in a variety of styles while understanding how to read and understand music more effectively. Students will also learn collaboration and teamwork by working together to play musical pieces and build their self-confidence by performing in front of their peers.
Drama equips students with a better awareness of their body and teaches how to communicate non-verbally. Students will learn to be in control of their body language despite a variety of internal emotions. They will also gain a better understanding of their identities and emotions through dialogue and self-analysis. Through improvisation and script-writing, students learn to utilize their creativity, and through performance, students will gain confidence in speaking and performing in front of their peers.
Dance provides a way for students to become more aware of their bodies while allowing students to express themselves and tell stories through music and movement. Dance focuses on ballet and jazz and allows students to become grounded in basic technique. Students learn to work collaboratively and express themselves with poise and confidence.
Choir and Band:
Choir and Band are both ensemble-based classes where the goal is to create beautiful and expressive music. Choir focuses on vocal music, where students learn to sing in harmony with each other as well as build their own vocal technique. Band allows students to learn a new instrument, whether it be a Brass, Woodwind, or Percussion instrument. Both classes focus on proper technique, the ability to read and understand musical notation, and how to perform expressively.
Each year AIS students are given the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular musical activities. These typically include a Winter Show, which includes clubs in drama, dance, singing, and instruments, an Elementary and High School Musical production (in 2018, this was Pirates the Musical and The Lion King), AIS Got Talent, and more. These activities are fun to participate in and a great way to reinforce musical skills taught in class while helping to develop students’ creativity, self-confidence, and teamwork. When students are striving toward a unified goal in a collaborative way, we enhance the school culture of “community” and enrich the lives of the students.
Why Learn about Music?
Music has proven to be a vital part of every child's education. According to the Metropolitan School of the Arts, here are 14 reasons everyone should participate in music:
- Increase your IQ
- Increase the Capacity of your Memory
- Increase Mathematical Ability
- Improve Reading Comprehension
- Build Self-Confidence
- Reduce Stress and Be Happy!
- Enhance Hand-Eye Coordination
- Learn Perseverance and Self-Discipline
- Increase Cooperation
- Learn Responsibility
- Learn Cultural History
- Boost Listening Skills
- Enhance Respiratory System
- Make Lifelong Friends
For more details about the benefits of the performing arts, see the following link:
We hope to see all AIS students learning and performing using Music, Drama, and
Dance during the 2018-19 school year!