The Fine Arts Department is dedicated to fostering a love for art in every student, nurturing their creativity, and building confidence through personal expression. The exposure to a wide range of artistic experiences helps students develop a deep appreciation for the arts and encourages them to explore their unique perspectives. By providing a supportive and inclusive environment, the arts empower students to express themselves freely and confidently, both as individuals and as members of a creative community. The curriculum is designed to inspire imagination and lay a strong foundation for lifelong engagement with the arts. As young artists develop over time, so too does our program. Our courses provide the opportunity to grow aesthetically; to develop and expand a critical awareness of their cultural heritage; and to acquire the skills needed to distinguish the fine from the mundane. The intent is to help students increase their perception and awareness of the environment, to encourage an imaginative and creative approach to problem solving, and to develop self-discipline and confidence.

Fair Lawn Public Schools Elementary Art curriculum is designed to foster creativity and artistic growth through a comprehensive approach aligned with New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Visual Arts.

Creating: Students explore various media and techniques to express their ideas and emotions. They engage in hands-on projects such as drawing, painting, and sculpture, developing their skills in visual communication and artistic problem-solving.

Performing: While primarily focused on visual arts, students are encouraged to present their artwork to peers and participate in art exhibitions or classroom critiques, building confidence and public speaking skills related to their artistic process.

Responding: Students learn to analyze and interpret artworks, both their own and those of others. They practice critical thinking by discussing artistic choices, identifying elements and principles of design, and reflecting on how art connects to their own experiences and the world around them.

Connecting: The curriculum emphasizes the relationship between art and other disciplines, as well as its role in cultural and historical contexts. Students explore how art intersects with subjects like history, science, and language arts, fostering a deeper understanding of its relevance and impact.

Fair Lawn Public Schools Middle School Art curriculum is designed to continue to foster the creativity and artistic growth that was begun at the elementary level  through a comprehensive approach aligned with New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Visual Arts.

Creating:  Students generate, conceptualize, organize, and develop their ideas through studying various artists and time periods. They explore various ways to creatively solve artistic problems. Students then refine their ideas and complete projects using various media and art techniques including digital art.

Presenting:  Students are given the opportunity to select, analyze, and interpret works of art by famous artists as well as their peers.  They individually and collaboratively create and present artwork for both critique and display.

Responding:  Students are given the opportunity to see how visual arts can influence their understanding and responses to the world around them.  They learn how aesthetic choices are influenced by culture and environment and can change over time.  Through evaluation and critique, students are able to differentiate between objective evaluation and personal opinion.

Connecting:  Through the artmaking process, students learn how visual arts can enrich people's lives and make positive contributions to reflect a group’s identity.  They will also learn how to relate artistic ideas within societal, cultural and historical contexts to deepen understanding and how these ideas can change over time. Students also learn to make connections to other subjects as well.

The Fair Lawn High School Fine Arts Department  mission is to create a dynamic and inclusive artistic environment where students immerse themselves in the creative process, develop their unique voices, and connect their work to broader cultural contexts. The Fine Arts Department offers all students opportunities to enhance their aesthetic growth and cultural awareness. We aim to improve students’ perception, foster imaginative problem-solving, and build self-discipline and confidence. Our diverse courses challenge students, promoting higher performance and appreciation in the arts and align with New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Visual Arts.

Creating: Develop and refine their artistic skills by experimenting with diverse mediums and techniques, and by producing original works that reflect their individual perspectives and creativity.

Performing: Present their artworks in various formats, demonstrating the ability to articulate and share their artistic vision with confidence and clarity.

Responding: Critically analyze and interpret both their own art and the art of others, engaging in meaningful dialogue that fosters growth and understanding of artistic expressions and their impacts.

Connecting: Link their artistic experiences to personal, historical, and global contexts, recognizing the significance of art in shaping and reflecting cultural narratives and human experiences.

Through this comprehensive approach, we aim to inspire lifelong engagement with the arts and empower students to become thoughtful, innovative, and culturally aware artists and individuals.

For more information on high school level art courses, click here.