The cornerstone of the philosophy of the Fine Arts Department is the belief that the
arts teach important life skills that promote emotional well-being, self-discovery, and
understanding of the community and of the world. Students who participate in arts
programs gain valuable insights not only about themselves, but also about their
surroundings. The arts are a direct reflection of society; therefore, students are able to
explore the context of the time in which they live. As a basis for historical inquiry, the
arts afford all learners a crystalline perspective on the past. Furthermore, the arts
enable communication and understanding across cultural and ethnic boundaries.

All students at Hampton Roads Academy are enthusiastically encouraged to pursue
their studies of the arts based on the widely-held assumption in our school that an artist
resides within each one of us. In the Fine Arts, excellence is recognized; however, effort,
creativity, and originality are considered equally important components for
achievement. The arts celebrate and reward divergent- thinking by promoting the idea
that there may be more than a single correct solution to a given problem. The arts
encourage the use of all of the senses for learning. It is believed that all students possess
the potential to be enriched and to excel through their studies of the arts.

In summary, arts studies offer all students the opportunity to understand themselves
and their surroundings. The arts provide multi-faceted learning experiences and teach
skills which prepare students to be effective contributors to the community, and to the
world, in which they live.