Visual Art 1 is the foundational course in art for high school students specializing in visual arts. In the course, students will receive instruction in the 2D and 3D studio areas (design, drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, etc.). Emphasis is placed on creating, presenting, responding, and connecting. The course provides experiences to increase student knowledge and ability through art production, art criticism and the study of art elements and principles, compositional techniques, purposes of visual arts, and art history (diversity of artists, art movements, and styles from the past to the present). The student will begin to develop an art portfolio reflecting their artistic growth and is introduced to career options in the visual arts.

This is a second-level course in which the student is involved in challenging studio problems in design, drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and textiles as well as in art history (past and present), art criticism, and aesthetic material related to full development of the talent and interest of the individual. In Visual Arts 2, the student continues to select work for a portfolio to be used for college/career pursuits and will spend time in the studio. Students explore further career options in the visual arts. In completing this course, students consider various techniques, methods, venues, and criteria for analyzing and selecting their art for preservation and presentation. A grade of C or higher in Art 1 is required.

This is an advanced third-level course in art in which the student works on teacher-planned and individually selected problems to develop fine art and craft. The student in Visual Arts 3 is expected to keep a portfolio of artwork that reflects developing technical skills and their own artistic styles. Students will continue to explore further career options in the visual arts. In completing this course, students consider various techniques, methods, venues, and criteria for analyzing and selecting their art for preservation, presentation, and display. Earning a C or better in Art 2 is required.

Visual Arts 4 is the advanced, seniors-only, fourthlevel course in art in which the student works on student-teacherplanned and individually selected problems to develop fine art and crafts products that reflect the interest and talent of the individual. Experiences in art history and cultural perspectives, art criticism, and aesthetics that complement the studio experience are integral parts of the course. The student in Visual Arts 4 is expected to complete and present a portfolio of artwork that reflects refined technical skills; a personal style; and an exploration of a specific theme, idea, or concept for college/career pursuits. A résumé, artist statement, and other forms of writing are also components of the advanced portfolio.

This is an elective course for non-Visual Art Program students. This course will introduce students to the basic fundamentals of artistic expression. This course includes experiences in a variety of 2D and 3D art processes, including drawing, painting, sculpture, clay, and fabric. Students learn problem-solving strategies by “thinking like an artist” through application of artistic process and design thinking strategies. A study of contemporary and historical art and artists from a worldwide perspective and development of art presentation skills will increase students’ ability to respond to art and connect through art to the world around them.

Students meeting academic requirements are eligible for Dual-Credit Humanities. This course can fulfill the Humanities requirement, or it can be counted as an elective course if the Humanities requirement has already been met. Students successfully completing this course will receive a total of six hours of college credit. The course is taught in collaboration with UofL professors and a Butler teacher. It will focus on an in-depth look at art history as well as provide an overall context for understanding a variety of cultural subgroups and their artistic contributions to our culture in America.

Textiles introduces the student to a variety of processes and techniques in textile design, surface embellishment, and fiber arts construction. Specific textile/fiber arts processes may include weaving (on or off-loom), felting, stitchery, dyeing, quilting, fashion/garment design, etc. Students in printmaking explore relief, intaglio, planography, and serigraphy using a variety of media. Students are encouraged to link their art experience in a cross-curricular manner. An examination of historical/cultural perspectives (including a diversity of major artists, movements, styles from the past to the present), aesthetics, purposes, and careers in textiles and printmaking will correspond to assignments. Students engage in critiques of their artwork, the works of other students, and those by professional textile/fiber artists and printmakers. Works produced in this course will lead to the creation of portfolio-quality works and presentation experiences. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Visual Arts 1 or Basic Design or teacher recommendation.

This course emphasizes technical training, musicianship building, and performances of various types of orchestra music. Some out-of-school rehearsals and performances are required. This course is for students entering the ninth grade.

These courses emphasize continued technical training, musicianship building, and performances of various types of orchestra music. Some out-ofschool rehearsals and performances are required. Private lessons are encouraged as is participation in the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) Solo/Ensemble Festival. Students in this class are encouraged to audition for the JCPS All-County Orchestra. These courses are for students in grades ten through twelve.

(Prerequisite: Participation in middle school band or special permission given only by Butler’s director of bands) This class requires after-school rehearsals and performances. This class meets after school, and students receive additional academic credit.

This class is open to students who play a percussion instrument or who receive special permission from Butler’s director of Bands. This class requires participation with the marching band and other after-school rehearsals and performances.

This course is an in-depth training ground for students wanting to be a member of a big jazz or jazz ensemble. Emphasis is placed on continuing technical and aural training, rehearsal, and performance of jazz ensemble literature. Concert performance is required. Students must audition and/or have a music teacher recommendation.