Fine Arts Education
Arts Education Changes Perspectives and the World, Americans for the Arts
SD57 believes that a strong Arts education benefits all students, communities, and societies by contributing to the development of well-rounded, educated citizens. The Arts connect students with history, heritage, culture, and community, fostering an understanding of the diverse values and perspectives of global, Indigenous, and Canadian societies. Arts education also stimulates students’ imaginations, innovation, creativity, and a sense of well-being while developing competencies useful to students’ education and careers.
SD57 has shown a commitment to the Arts:
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full time Fine Arts Resource Teacher in the district to ensure that there is support for professional growth and assessment of the Arts
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support of many district-wide Fine Arts opportunities such as;
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District Choral Fests (Christmas Nights of Music and Singfest)
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District Visual Arts speed painting competitions (Art Battle)
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PGSS Performing Arts Program (Polar Performing Arts Focus) which is a cross secondary program open to all district high schools for students who demonstrate commitment in any of the Fine Arts areas
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Cultural Committee works hard to find quality Arts performances to bring in to the schools or present at a district venue in order to enrich experiences students may otherwise not receive
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School-level support for the Arts has also been highlighted through:
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Family of Schools Fine Arts nights, which invites feeder schools and high schools to join together and share their passion for the Arts
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Secondary band programs, small group ensembles, drama productions, dance programs, and visual arts opportunities
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Individual elementary schools hold musicals, school wide concerts, and variety shows and as well as integrating the Arts into other subject areas
Collaboration with other district partners such as our Indigenous Education department:
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bringing Indigenous artists and musicians in to the schools to teach drumming, singing, carving and other Art work
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Ts'udelhti (We Honor the Journey) Indigenous Graduation Ceremony
Provincial collaboration with ASSAI (After School Sport & Arts Initiative) which involves students in after school programming in the arts and sports in order to increase engagement and connection within their school and community.
The district has also welcomed many community partners to assist in creating a global Arts environment. Some of the partners involved currently are: Two Rivers Art Gallery, Prince George Symphony Orchestra, Theater Northwest, Northern FanCon, Art Battle Canada, and Cold Snap Music Festival.