This website is designed to support teachers, instructional coaches, and leadership with all levels of visual arts curriculum, instruction, and assessment.  Please use the navigation tools at the top of this page to access needed documents and resources. 

Visual arts include the traditional fine arts such as drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture; media arts including film, graphic communications, animation, and emerging technologies; architectural, environmental, and industrial arts such as urban, interior, product, and landscape design; folk arts; and works of art such as ceramics, fibers, jewelry, works in wood, paper, and other materials. –National Art Education Association

The Des Moines Public Schools offer a comprehensive, hands-on approach to learning and mastering the skills in visual arts as a key part of our Educational Philosophy, Vision, Mission, and Student Expectations.

Vision
Becoming the model for urban education in the United States.

Mission Statement
The Des Moines Public Schools Exist So That Graduates Possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to Be Successful at the Next Stage of Their Lives.

Student Expectations
Students demonstrate proficiency and understanding of a rigorous core curriculum, including:

• They demonstrate an understanding of the value of fine and performing arts in society.
• They demonstrate proficiency in technological and information literacy.

Students possess the knowledge and skills to be self-directed and autonomous:

• They demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• They exercise sound reasoning in making complex choices.
• They exhibit creative, innovative and entrepreneurial thinking.
• They understand the attributes of physical and mental well-being.

Students have world awareness:

• They learn from and work with individuals representing diverse cultures and religions in a spirit of mutual respect in school, work, and community.
• They understand the rights and obligations of citizenship at local, state, national, and global levels.
• They are actively engaged in community life.
• They will be exposed to languages and cultures of the world.