Visual Arts in Bridgeport Public Schools

The Bridgeport Visual Arts Department seeks to develop students’ abilities to create and respond to works of art in a creative and thoughtful manner.  The ability to communicate visually and to respond to art work through oral and written communications is vital to education in the 21st century.  Work in the visual arts classroom engages students in creative hands on activities that build critical thinking skills in planning, evaluation and interpretation that are the foundation skills needed to compete successfully in higher education and the world of work. 

City Facts

• 41 Visual Arts Teachers provide service to every school in the city.
• The curriculum is a comprehensive K-12 Curriculum.
• In the high schools classes range from traditional studio classes like painting to technologically advanced offerings in digital photography, digital imaging and video production.
• Some Bridgeport students continue their arts educations at prestigious arts colleges like: Cooper Union, The Rochester Institute of Technology and The Rhode Island School of Design.
• Bridgeport visual arts students have always pursued careers in the arts ranging from video production to commercial art to traditional fine arts.  To name just one artist consider 1980 Bassick graduate Leonardo Drew who has work in the American Collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.  Mr. Drew is an internationally known contemporary artist who has exhibited through out the United States and Europe.
• The Visual Arts Department has a variety of partnerships with local, regional and national organizations that enrich student engagement in the visual arts and expand the scope of student arts experience beyond the classroom. 

Educational Facts

• The College Board observes that students who take art and music average a higher score on the SATs than students who do not take art or music.
• The State of Connecticut requires credit in the Visual or Performing Arts for successful completion of the high school curriculum for graduation.
• Some studies show that students who study visual arts have better problem solving skills than students who do not study the arts.

Art education is the foundation for building 21st century skills for Bridgeport students. The Visual Arts Department Staff looks forward to continuing the Bridgeport Public Schools tradition of excellence in the visual arts.