PSD's Commitment to Art Education
Visual art education fosters skills of deep understanding and divergent thinking. The artmaking process cultivates collaboration, communication, critical thinking, curiosity, innovation, and problem-solving skills. Poudre School District is committed to offering comprehensive visual art education at all levels. With site-based management, each school determines how visual art is offered to students. For site specific information, contact your school principal.
PSD Art Shows
- Creative Endeavors
- This district-wide art exhibit emphasizes the vital importance of the creative process in the education of our students.
- Artwork from all grade levels will be exhibited Nov. 21 - Jan. 15 at Foothills Mall, 215 E. Foothills Parkway, Fort Collins.
- Opening Reception: 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21
English Creative Endeavors Flyer | Español Creative Endeavors Flyer
- SuperArt!
- This year-long exhibit showcases the visual arts while honoring art students from across our district. PSD art teachers select one student's artwork to represent their school.
- This exhibit is located in the JSSC lobby and boardroom, 2407 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins.
- Student recognition and receptions: Wednesday, March 26, and Thursday, March 27
- Designs and Images
- This district-wide art exhibition highlights the artwork and curricular articulation of K-12 Art programs in PSD.
- Artwork from all grade levels will be on display, April 10 - May 8 at Foothills Mall, 215 E. Foothills Parkway, Fort Collins.
- Opening Reception: 5-7 p.m., Thursday, April 10
Why Art Matters
More PSD videos about art featuring students:
Read: The Impact of Visual Arts Workforce Development >>
Art education fosters critical thinking!
The Studio Habits of Mind framework was developed through the insightful research of
Harvard Project Zero.
The eight “studio habits of mind” outline the thinking skills teachers aim to develop in students during the creative process. These include:
- Stretch and explore: Try out ideas, experiment with new ways of working.
- Engage and persist: Focus on and persevere in making artwork, even when it is difficult.
- Envision: Imagine possibilities, picture ideas, design and plan next steps.
- Develop craft: Improve art skills through practice and experimentation. Explore new tools and learn to care for them.
- Observe: Look closer and more deeply than ordinary looking requires.
- Reflect: Think, talk and write about the creative process.
- Express: Communicate ideas, beliefs, and feelings through a visual language.
- Understand the art world: Learn the history of art as well as contemporary trends. Collaborate with other artists.