Fine Arts Department Philosophy
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. Follow this link to see examples of student art.

A brief description of the classes offered by HRA are available in our Course Catalog. You may also view these Course Descriptions online.

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