Fine Arts Emphasis: Art, Theatre, Music
The goal of the Fine Arts Program at Stuart Hall is to support the development of all students' knowledge and appreciation of Visual Art, Theatre, and Music. For those students whose interest and commitment qualify them to concentrate in the fine arts, Stuart Hall offers a college preparatory degree with an emphasis in Art, Theatre, or Music. The designation "Visual Art Emphasis," "Theatre Emphasis," or "Music Emphasis" appears on the diploma of the student who successfully completes the program.
Requirements for Visual Art, Theatre, or Music Emphasis:
- Students must be in the program a minimum of two consecutive years, 11th and 12 grades. (Exceptions may be made for qualified students who transfer to Stuart Hall for their last year only.)
- Students must complete a capstone experience in their last year in the program. For Visual Art Emphasis students, this is the portfolio. For Music and Theatre Emphasis students, this is a special focused activity or activities.
- To enter the program, students must complete an application form and be approved by the director of the program and the Upper School Director.
Visual Art Emphasis The art and design curriculum is structured for students to learn basic skills and techniques during their first years in the program and then work more independently as they progress. The Visual Art Emphasis Curriculum includes:
Ninth Grade
- one period of studio emphasis
- participation in at least one additional art activity (i.e. studio hours, community service, arts festivals) as agreed upon with the director of the program.
Tenth-Twelfth Grade
- two-periods of Art Emphasis course
- one-half credit Art History
- participation in at least one additional art activity (i.e. studio hours, community service, arts festivals) as agreed upon with the director of the program.
- Senior Capstone Project - Portfolio
Visual Arts Emphasis students have been accepted by the Pratt Institute, the Parsons School of Design, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Otis School of Design, and the Rhode Island School of Design. Regardless of whether they decide to Choose careers as artists, Visual Arts Emphasis students will graduate from Stuart Hall knowing how art fits into their lives.
Theatre Emphasis students follow a set curriculum of at least one course per year. The courses include:
- Introduction to Theatre
- Acting Studio
- Shakespeare in Performance
- Senior Capstone experience
Additionally, Theatre Emphasis students have mandatory involvement, in a substantive way, in at least two theatrical productions a year.
Theatre Arts Emphasis students have been accepted into colleges and universities that offer strong theatre programs such as New York University, Dickinson College, the University of Virginia, Davidson College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Michigan, and Elon University.
Music Emphasis program requires the following courses as well as two additional music related classes (performing groups or assisting with an ensemble) each year:
- Music History
- Music Theory
- AP Music Theory
- Senior Capstone project
One of the goals of the Music Emphasis program is to help students determine if they have sufficient dedication and talent to pursue a career in music. Those who have found these qualities in themselves have gone on to study at institutions like the New England Conservatory of Music, Shenandoah Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, Indiana University, and the Manhattan School of Music.
Barbara Coyle Holt
Director, Visual Arts Emphasis Program
bholt [at] stuart-hall [dot] org
Brett Sullivan Santry
Director, Theatre Emphasis Program
bsantry [at] stuart-hall [dot] org
Andrew MacDanel
Music Director
amacdanel [at] stuart-hall [dot] org
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