Visual & Performing Arts

Creativity That Inspires Expression

At JCHS, the Visual & Performing Arts program encourages students to explore ideas, discover their creative voice, and express themselves through visual, dramatic, musical, and digital media.

Project-based learning is at the heart of every course, allowing students to build technical skills while pursuing meaningful creative work. Along the way, students learn to think critically about artistic choices, explore historical and contemporary approaches to art, and develop an appreciation for the role creativity plays in every aspect of life.

Art extends beyond the classroom through performances, exhibitions, gallery showcases, and collaborative projects that enrich the entire JCHS community.

Creative Disciplines

Visual Arts

Explore drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media while developing technical skills and personal artistic expression.

Drama

Develop confidence, creativity, and collaboration through acting, improvisation, storytelling, and performance.

Music

Perform as a vocalist or instrumentalist while strengthening musicianship, creativity, and technical skills in a collaborative ensemble.

Filmmaking

Bring stories to life through writing, directing, filming, editing, and digital production using professional tools and techniques.

Visual & Performing Arts Requirement

Students must complete one year of a core Visual & Performing Arts course.

Explore Visual & Performing Arts Courses

CORE COURSES

  • Subject Area: Performing Arts
    Open to: 9, 10, 11, 12

    Students learn the fundamentals of acting and storytelling through improvisation, scene work, games, and acting exercises. Drawing from techniques developed by Viola Spolin, Keith Johnstone, Meisner, and Stanislavski, students build confidence, creativity, vocal control, physical expression, and character development while learning to observe and critique performance.

  • Subject Area: Performing Arts
    Open to: 9, 10, 11, 12

    This performance-based ensemble brings together vocalists and instrumentalists in a collaborative musical experience. Students strengthen their technical abilities while performing a wide variety of music selected from classical, jazz, contemporary, film, and student interests.

    Along with regular performances, students explore music theory, improvisation, audio engineering, music notation, and other music technology skills.

  • Subject Area: Visual Arts
    Open to: 9, 10, 11, 12

    Students explore the complete filmmaking process—from story development and scriptwriting to filming, editing, and post-production. Through collaborative projects, students learn visual storytelling, camera operation, lighting, sound, editing, and special effects while studying influential filmmakers and cinematic techniques.

    Students gain hands-on experience using professional editing software to create original narrative films.

    Please Note: A Mac or PC laptop capable of video editing is required. The school provides licenses for Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.

  • Subject Area: Visual Arts
    Open to: 9, 10, 11, 12

    Students learn the fundamentals of photography using both digital and traditional film techniques. Working with DSLR cameras, students develop skills in composition, manual camera operation, lighting, motion, and visual storytelling through classroom projects and neighborhood photo walks.

    Students also explore black-and-white film photography and darkroom printing.

    Please Note: DSLR cameras are available for checkout through JCHS.

  • Subject Area: Visual Arts
    Open to: 9, 10, 11, 12

    This foundation studio course introduces students to drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media while encouraging experimentation and creative exploration. Through hands-on projects, critiques, and collaborative learning, students develop technical skills, artistic confidence, and their own creative voice while learning to think critically about visual expression.

  • Subject Area: Visual Arts
    Open to: 9, 10, 11, 12

    Students explore three-dimensional design through materials including clay, plaster, wire, paper, found objects, and mixed media. Projects emphasize both technical skill and creative problem-solving while examining how sculpture communicates ideas, identity, culture, and history.

    Students build an understanding of form, space, scale, and visual language through studio work, discussion, and independent projects.

ELECTIVE COURSES

  • Subject Area: Visual Arts
    Open to: 11, 12
    Prerequisite: Concepts & Processes or Honors Photography, plus Department Approval

    Students develop a college-level portfolio in 2-D Art and Design, 3-D Art and Design, or Drawing. Through sustained investigation, experimentation, and revision, students create original artwork while documenting their creative process and artistic growth for submission to the College Board AP Portfolio program.

    Please Note: AP Studio Art requires additional afternoon and/or weekend work sessions throughout the year. Cameras are available for checkout if needed.

  • Subject Area: Visual Arts
    Prerequisite: Materials and Methods or Sculpture

    Students expand their artistic practice through drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, murals, and mixed media while exploring both traditional techniques and contemporary experimentation.

    Emphasis is placed on design principles, technical growth, creative risk-taking, critical thinking, and developing a personal artistic voice.

  • Subject Area: Visual Arts
    Prerequisite: Filmmaking

    Building on the introductory filmmaking course, students create more ambitious collaborative film projects while exploring narrative and experimental filmmaking. Students study cinematic genres, visual storytelling, copyright, and production techniques while producing increasingly sophisticated original films.

    Please Note: A Mac or PC capable of professional video editing is required. Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro is recommended.

  • Subject Area: Visual Arts
    Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Photography

    Students refine both their technical photography skills and their personal artistic vision through advanced digital and darkroom techniques. Projects encourage experimentation, creative risk-taking, and the development of an individual photographic style.

    Please Note: Cameras are available for checkout through JCHS.