Welcome to KCI Arts!
Experiences in the arts play a valuable role in the education of all students. Through participation in the arts, students can develop their creativity, learn about their own identity, and develop self-awareness, self-confidence, and a sense of well-being.
At KCI Arts, we work through the creative process and critical analysis in two different streams of art education. Through these programs we create environments and situations to develop strong technical and creative problem solving skills that are transferable to other disciplines and situations.
The studio component has students experiment with a variety of media and processes, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, etc. The digital component has students take a hands-on approach to the art of photography, graphic design, and digital image creation using industry level software, techniques and practices.
Along with the full range of curricular offerings, KCI Arts offers a number of co-curricular opportunities that will enrich the students’ experiences.
*All design and studio courses develop studio experience and theory as well as an understanding and appreciation of Art History.
Course Descriptions
GRADE 9
Introduction to Visual Arts – AVI1OI
What does KCI Arts have to offer you? Take this course and experience a little bit of everything, including painting, drawing, sculpture, graphics, and art history. We recommend that you take this foundation course before any other art course at KCI. This course is also offered in the French Immersion program as AVI1OF.
GRADE 10
Visual Arts – AVI2OI
Build on your studio skills and knowledge of Visual Arts and art history as you explore various approaches, including painting, drawing, sculpture, and printmaking. Highly Recommended: AVI 1OI
Media Arts – ASM20I
Do you enjoy drawing? Do you love computer graphics and photography? In this course, you will explore illustration, layouts, and design using drawing, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. You will also learn about basic digital photography, giving you the skills to take and appreciate some amazing photographs. Highly Recommended: AVI 1OI
Fast Forward: Crafts – AWA 2OB
Here’s your chance to develop a portfolio and your studio skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and craft making techniques.
GRADE 11
Visual Arts – AVI3MI
Here’s your chance to develop your portfolio and studio skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking, while broadening your understanding of art history and theory. Prerequisite: AVI1OI/1OF or AVI2OI
Visual Arts – AVI3OI
Build on your studio skills and knowledge of Visual Arts and art history as you explore various approaches, including painting, drawing, sculpture, and printmaking. Highly Recommended: AVI 1OI or 2OI
Graphics: Digital Media – AWS3MI
Build on your design and photography skills as you use Photoshop and Illustrator to blend, morph, retouch and create. Prerequisite: ASM2OI
Graphics: Digital Media – AWS3OI
In this course, you will explore photography, illustration, layouts, and design using drawing, Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign. Highly recommended: ASM2OI
GRADE 12
Visual Arts – AVI4MI
Further develop your portfolio and knowledge of art history and theory as you experience various approaches to art independently and through teacher-guided studio projects. Prerequisite: AVI3MI
Graphics: Digital Media – AWD4MI
Build your portfolio as you create professional artwork using your knowledge and skills in photography, design, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Prerequisite: AWS3MI
Arts Council, Clubs & Activities
The KCI Art Clubs are created when students step forward with an interest in an area or technique. If you have an interest in a specific area and/or would like to start up a new art club, please visit Arts Council or talk to your art teacher.
Arts Council… meets one day each week at lunch; together we discuss and plan large mural projects and figure out how we can support KCI and KCI’s other student groups. There is no formal election process. Instead we make the table big enough for everyone to join in, brainstorm, contribute, and create. If you’re interested in being part of this decision-making team, just come to a meeting. You’re always welcome.
Expressive Arts Club… meets one day each week at lunch. This club offers time for you to explore art in a playful and exploratory way. Try a new medium, spend time on class projects, or work on a collaborative creation! This club is where wellness and art come together in a fun and safe environment.
Chalk Drawing for Cancer… started in 2008 and has KCI art students leading a chalk drawing mural outside the main doors of Grand River Hospital in support of September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The mural is dynamic and keeps changing as each artist adds his or her ideas. All art classes are involved and many members of the community have stopped and joined us as we create.
