-Turn in 1 print out of an image you found online/magazine/etc. of a current or previous gallery show that you found interesting.
-Report WHO the artist(s) is, WHERE the gallery is located, WHAT the show was about and WHY you liked it…
-This is PART of your GRADE in this course

PREREQUISITES:
1.  Art I and Art II.
2.  Discussion with Art Teacher for recommendation to guidance.
3. College Major: Visual Art Field, including multimedia.

COURSE SYLLABUS:
This class is designed for serious 11th and 12th graders that are considering pursuing the visual arts as a career.  The course demands highly motivated students, self-discipline and it is technologically integrated.  There is a strong demand for teamwork and support of one another. (There will be introductory instruction to Adobe Photoshop and Graphic Design with approval of MacIntosh workstation and Adobe inclusion if approved).  Class maximum size restricted to 10.

*Students will enhance independent art projects separate from classroom projects to
strengthen portfolio.
*Students will seek visual stimulation from outside galleries and other artistic sources.
*Students will utilize current technological tools to enhance digital organizational skills.
*Students will create an atmosphere that is conducive to peer support.

WHY?
High School Art Education comprises of the standards.  As a public teacher of the arts I am an advocate to teaching the standards which include techniques and processes, art history, criticism, media exploration and manipulation and overall an art appreciation for the majority of high school students.

It is my belief that 95% of these students gain knowledge of history, processes, media, criticism and aesthetics.  It is my belief that 5% of those students are truly gifted in art and only gain their minimum potential due to the limitations posed on them in a traditional art classroom.  Although creativity is encouraged as much as possible in an art room, they are bound by instructional formats, project guidelines and technical expertise that is necessary in a public school art room.  This minority population naturally needs to develop these skills as well, but are far more capable of taking it to the next level. These are students that wish to create art because they share a love of it and wish to pursue it in life.

I would like to arrange the ‘Portfolio Prep’ class as a formal collaboration between teacher and students.  It is a shared experience of seeking art through gallery exploration and to be inspired by current working artists that are expressing their vision of the world around them.  The Portfolio Prep class would maintain it’s objective as being the first foundation for future artists: portfolios, art educational opportunities, promotion of the arts through fundraisers, peer support for each other and a safe place to grow as artists with a supportive structure built in one another.

Some of our core work would revolve around using MacIntosh hardware and Adobe suite software.  I have submitted a successful proposal on the strengths of MACs in the current collegiate and working world; I believe we can address that need for future visual artists and designers.   I do have large concerns for students that are going into college for the arts with no knowledge of MacIntosh operating systems.