So to graduate high school you have to take one year of visual and performing arts. Believe it or not, I have yet to fulfill that requirement. Most of my friends have taken the Fundamentals of Art class. They are currently trying to convince me to sign up for that class. I don;t want to. For me, there is only one rule in Art: express yourself and have fun. For me, that should be the only rule in an Art class and the only factor that goes in the grading process. Let’s face it, now most high school students take a class or do some club or activity just to put it on their resume to impress Standford.

I’m not saying it’s not important to go over and learn all about the different types of art there are. Nor am I saying that having a project pretaining to each art style is wrong. What I’m saying is that art teachers (with all due respect) should be a little more lenient int heir grading. Some of my friends that are currently in art classes complain about how they got a C+ on a project just because there “wasn’t enough shading.”

I think the best way to manage an art class is to go over the styles that are most common, famous,  or well known from each different period in history. Terminology and other classic classroom stuff should also be covered (it is important). There should be at least one project pertaining to each style covered so that students can get to know their strengths and which styles they like the most. During the midterms, there should be a test covering all the vocabulary and terms. Students should also have to do a “free style” project in which they can express themselves without the worries of grading.

That’s my ideal art class. Until that is possible, I will stick to Photography and Music.