The Hillsboro High School Visual Arts Technology Grant ~ Est. 2008
Visnulimited / C. Hagen Studio ~ Dell Foundation ~ International Baccalaureate World Schools ~ Hillsboro High PTSA
Art is at the visual center of the 21st Century internet market and computer science industry. Photography, fine art, graphic design, and music impact all forms of international information delivered on the web AND when sites are not illustrated or poorly designed, the lack of impact is noticeable. At a time when there is a growing trend toward occupation-specific high school curriculum, it appears that an International Baccalaureate Higher Learning (HL) liberal arts education is timely preparation for students who want to excel in a contemporary web-assisted business market. A liberal arts education is an approach to learning that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change. It provides students with broad knowledge of the wider world (e.g. science, culture, and society) as well as in-depth study in a specific area of interest (e.g. fine art, music, foreign languages). As a grant sponsor and parent of an IB Diploma Candidate, I believe the Hillsboro High School IB program accomplishes this goal. IB prepares our students to become communicators and well-rounded leaders, a perfect foundation for this quickly evolving technology renaissance. Carol Hagen
PROJECTS:
- The VISUAL ARTicle Portfolio offers an opportunity for students to learn how to document and display art online. Each Visual Arts AP or IB student is offered a Flickr Set and Collection Mosaic, artwork is added as it is completed and photographed. As the school year proceeds, students learn how to photograph, Photoshop, and upload their images to their folders. Flickr provides a respectful way for students to look at artwork done by their classmates; as well as (19) students who graduated in 2010 and (1) 2009 graduate. The portfolios also enable students in IB programs around the world to see what we are doing here at the Hillsboro World School. LINK: http://www.flickr.com/photos/visual_arts_portfolio/
- The VISUAL ARTicle Blog features student artwork that is chosen from the weekly class critique. The Featured Artist writes a brief statement about their work of art, or technique, or subject matter. Last week we initiated a new blog category, Congratulations, which features an IB or AP Visual Arts student who has been featured in a magazine, exhibition or has won a scholarship
- A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER comes to class to photograph artwork for students in the fall before college early-action applications are due and in the spring prior to shipping the IB portfolios and posting AP art work online. Students are instructed in the finer points of digital photography, after which reference notes are posted on the VISUAL ARTicles pages. This service aids young artists whose photography skills are not yet equal to their artistic skills.
MISSION:
- To ensure equity among Hillsboro High School Visual Arts IB and AP students who are required to present digital images of original artwork to IB or AP examiners.
- To ensure graduating Hillsboro High School IB and AP Visual Arts students have a digital portfolio.
- To ensure universities can easily and quickly view artwork by applicants from the IB and AP Visual Arts program taught at Hillsboro High School in Nashville, Tennessee.
CHALLENGES:
- One important requirement for obtaining an IB Diploma or AP credit is sending an image of the original artwork to independent examiners. Our grant provides a color scanner to ensure an accurate representation of colorful artwork. For those works of art too large to be scanned, our grant provides two digital cameras and two computer stations fully loaded with adequate memory, photography and portfolio software.
- Prior to our grant, Hillsboro seniors were expected to provide their own printed images of IB and AP artwork. This meant some students provided black and white xerox copies of their colorful, detailed artwork. The unfortunate result was an inaccurate representation of hours of diligent work. Still other students could not afford to copy their artwork and so it fell to their teacher to provide copies and to determine how many students benefit from the remaining class budget or the teacher’s personal income. It was this unacceptable set of circumstances that prompted the Hillsboro Visual Arts Technology Grant.
IMPACT:
- 2010 was the first year in which 100% of International Baccalaureate Visual Arts SL and Visual Arts HL applicants received either an IB certificate or the IB diploma.
- 2010 - 11 Visual Arts SL and Visual Arts HL applicant received an IB Diploma
- 2010 - All AP Visual Arts SL and Visual Arts HL students received AP credit
For visitors less familiar with IB, the IB Diploma is in addition to a US high school diploma, additional course work and exams are required. Learn more.
CLOSING COMMENT BY OUR GRANT SPONSOR
In this time of 10% unemployment and record deficits, I challenge you to adopt a teacher and impact a group of students. I am not a wealthy person, so my time and this grant is my way of supporting one International Baccalaureate teacher, Marti Profitt-Steuli, who teaches visual arts at one Metropolitan Nashville Public High School. I believe a similar act of generosity will enrich your life with soft spoken thanks and – if we all do it – will raise the caliber of public education.
Carol Hagen -
Hillsboro High School IB Diploma Candidate Parent, International Baccalaureate Advocate, Professional Fine Art Photographer and Documenter
