Arcata Arts Institute

The Arcata Arts Institute is the advanced arts program at Arcata High. We offer 10-12 graders a unique balance of tradition and innovation, technology and touch, fine art and design. Students may choose to study visual arts, media arts, theatre, theatre tech, or music. The program is committed to expanding boundaries through rigorous study and career preparation.

We are one of ten California high schools that are designated by the Department of Education as a model CTE Arts, Media, and Entertainment Demonstration site. One of the defining aspects of our program is “Master Classes”. These classes focus on a variety of topics, taught by industry professionals and artists from our community. Students take one Master Class within their AAI class as well as optional Master Classes offered after school. Students will showcase their work in the community in the form of art shows, plays, or musical performances.

We also have a student leadership team called the “AAI Ambassadors” where students can take an active role in the direction of the program as well as help host community events such as the Artisan Faire, and Flow (our fashion design program). We value student voice and choice in the design of our curriculum. For more information please contact Johanna Mauro, Director of the Arcata Arts Institute, via the AAI website – artsinstitute.net, or email jmauro@nohum.k12.ca.us.

Acceptance into the AAI is required for the following AAI courses. Candidates apply in the Spring for entrance to the program for the following school year. Guidelines are available at artsinstitute.net, in the AHS office, or on request at 825-2400.

AAI Visual Dynamics 1

Students will gain intermediate/advanced skills in a variety of two/three-dimensional media to create expressive artworks. Art history, visual literacy and how art fits in our cultural context are also studied. Twenty-first-century skills, such as collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Students will develop portfolio websites and get practice presenting their work. They will develop skills to analyze and make informed judgments about important artists and their work, as well as their own work and that of their peers. Integration of art across subject areas and exploration of career opportunities in the visual arts is part of the course. All AAI students will showcase their work in the community and have the opportunity to be a part of a student leadership group called AAI Ambassadors.

AAI Visual Dynamics 2

AAI Visual Arts II continues the advanced level study begun in AAI Visual Dynamics 1. Students will gain intermediate/advanced skills in a variety of two/three-dimensional media to create expressive artworks. Art history, visual literacy and how art fits in our cultural context are also studied. Twenty-first-century skills, such as collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Students will develop portfolio websites and get practice presenting their work. They will develop skills to analyze and make informed judgments about important artists and their work, as well as their own work and that of their peers. Integration of art across subject areas and exploration of career opportunities in the visual arts is part of the course. All AAI students will showcase their work in the community and have the opportunity to be a part of a student leadership group called AAI Ambassadors.

AAI Visual Dynamics 3

AAI Visual Arts II continues the advanced level study begun in AAI Visual Dynamics 1. Students will gain intermediate/advanced skills in a variety of two/three-dimensional media to create expressive artworks. Art history, visual literacy and how art fits in our cultural context are also studied. Twenty-first-century skills, such as collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Students will develop portfolio websites and get practice presenting their work. They will develop skills to analyze and make informed judgments about important artists and their work, as well as their own work and that of their peers. Integration of art across subject areas and exploration of career opportunities in the visual arts is part of the course. The centerpiece of the year is the development of a “senior project” which could be anything from a solo art show, participation in Flow or an internship experience. All AAI students will showcase their work in the community and have the opportunity to be a part of a student leadership group called AAI Ambassadors

AAI Adv. Theater Study 1

Advanced Theater Study Level 1 is a course designed to enable students to develop and refine their abilities as theater artists. The course offers advanced training in acting, directing, play production, and technical theater with an emphasis on producing student written and directed works. Students are encouraged to discover their artistic selves, explore social interaction, decision making and organizational skills, and benefit by discovering a variety of personal and artistic strengths that will enable them to reach higher educational and career goals. History, culture and technology will be examined, and career opportunities will be explored. Students are expected to exceed the Drama 1 and 2 standards and demonstrate higher levels of skill, dealing with more complex examples, and responding to works of art in increasingly sophisticated ways.

AAI Adv. Theater Study 2

Advanced Theater Study Level II is a course designed to expand upon and enhance the work achieved in the Level I course. Level II offers continued training in acting, directing, play production, and technical theater with an emphasis on technical theater and production, and an exploration of theater occupations. Theater history, culture, and technology will be further examined. Through the exploration of themes in drama, students will grow in their ability to comprehend the world and to communicate with others. Students will analyze the universal concerns revealed in dramatic literature as brought to life on stage. Students are expected to exceed the Level I standards and demonstrate higher levels of skill, dealing with progressively challenging examples, and utilize theater to artistically express individual creativity with an innovative approach. 

AAI Adv. Theater Study 3

Advanced Theater Study Level III is a course intended to enhance, sharpen, and refine each student’s knowledge, skill, and aptitude as an actor, director, and technician of theater. The course offers advanced training in acting, directing, play production, and technical theater with an emphasis on stagecraft and the auditioning process. All aspects of learning and instruction explored in Levels I and II will be utilized and employed at more intense and professional degrees. Staging, lighting, costume, set, and scenic design will be further examined, and career opportunities will be researched and explored. Students are expected to exceed the Level II standards and demonstrate greater aptitude and ability, dealing with more complex examples, responding to works of art in increasingly innovative and challenging ways, and complete a senior project.

AAI Musical Explorations 1

This course is designed for students currently involved in music who wish to advance their skills and knowledge in music performance, reading, theory, history, improvisation, sound recording, rehearsal techniques and composition are available. Students and instructor work together in small combos to develop music repertoire of their choice for performance. Students also work on developing solo and ensemble repertoire as directed by the instructor to develop music reading, and improve performance. Ensemble and individual practice/research time is scheduled weekly. This class welcomes all instrument families such as guitars, piano, percussion, woodwinds, and brass winds. There are numerous performances in class and in the community. Please note that entering students benefit by having a music background that includes private study and prior experience in musical performance organizations. 

AAI Musical Explorations 2

Musical Explorations II is a continuation of Musical Explorations I. It is an opportunity for those students who have completed their first year in Musical Explorations to further develop and advance their skills and knowledge in music. Advanced instruction in music performance, reading, theory, history, improvisation, sound recording, rehearsal techniques and composition are available. Second year students should demonstrate advanced rehearsal skills and the ability to work more independently than first year students. Core repertoire on their individual instruments will be emphasized. Students also work on developing solo and ensemble repertoire as directed by the instructor to develop music reading, and improve performance. This class welcomes all instrument families such as guitars, piano, percussion, woodwinds, and brass winds. There are numerous performances in class and in the community. Please note that entering students benefit by having a music background that includes private study and prior experience in musical performance organizations.

AAI Musical Explorations 3

Musical Explorations III is a designed to facilitate a disciplined, creative, advanced level study of music; it is a continuation of Level II. The centerpiece of the year is the development of a “senior project”. This will be a community based project developed with a team of mentors, experts in the field of art, and presented in a community context. As independent learners and artists, students will develop the ability to construct their own art/learning situation and develop the ability to work with others to create a meaningful experience to fit their individual needs and passions. This class welcomes all instrument families such as guitars, piano, percussion, woodwinds, and brass winds. There are numerous performances in class and in the community. As in the other levels, students benefit by including private study and experience in musical performance organizations.

AAI Design For Communication 1

Students will gain intermediate/advanced skills in a variety of two dimensional media to create expressive artworks. Art history, visual literacy and how art fits in our cultural context are also studied. Twenty-first-century skills, such as collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance are emphasized throughout the curriculum. This course builds understanding of graphic design principles and students will learn the basic processes and tools involved in digital imaging and design for both print and the web. Students will learn to draw, scan, and manipulate images using digital tools such as computers, digital cameras, ipads, and software such as Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop and Illustrator. Students will have an opportunity to investigate the video production process if they choose. Students will develop portfolio websites and get practice presenting their work. They will develop skills to analyze and make informed judgments about important artists and their work, as well as their own work and that of their peers. Integration of art across subject areas and exploration of career opportunities in the visual arts is part of the course. All AAI students will showcase their work in the community and have the opportunity to be a part of a student leadership group called AAI Ambassadors.

AAI Design For Communication 2

AAI Design for Communication 2 continues the advanced level study begun in AAI Design for Communication 1. Students will gain intermediate/advanced skills in a variety of two dimensional media to create expressive artworks. Art history, visual literacy and how art fits in our cultural context are also studied. Twenty-first-century skills, such as collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance are emphasized throughout the curriculum. This course builds understanding of graphic design principles and students will learn the basic processes and tools involved in digital imaging and design for both print and the web. Students will learn to draw, scan, and manipulate images using digital tools such as computers, digital cameras, ipads, and software such as Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop and Illustrator. Students will have an opportunity to investigate the video production process if they choose. Students will develop portfolio websites and get practice presenting their work. They will develop skills to analyze and make informed judgments about important artists and their work, as well as their own work and that of their peers. Integration of art across subject areas and exploration of career opportunities in the visual arts is part of the course. All AAI students will showcase their work in the community and have the opportunity to be a part of a student leadership group called AAI Ambassadors.

AAI Design For Communication 3

AAI Design for Communication 3 continues the advanced level study begun in AAI Design for Communication 1. Students will gain intermediate/advanced skills in a variety of two dimensional media to create expressive artworks. Art history, visual literacy and how art fits in our cultural context are also studied. Twenty-first-century skills, such as collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance are emphasized throughout the curriculum. This course builds understanding of graphic design principles and students will learn the basic processes and tools involved in digital imaging and design for both print and the web. Students will learn to draw, scan, and manipulate images using digital tools such as computers, digital cameras, ipads, and software such as Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop and Illustrator. Students will have an opportunity to investigate the video production process if they choose. Students will develop portfolio websites and get practice presenting their work. They will develop skills to analyze and make informed judgments about important artists and their work, as well as their own work and that of their peers. Integration of art across subject areas and exploration of career opportunities in the visual arts is part of the course. The centerpiece of the year is the development of a “senior project” which could be anything from a solo art show, participation in Smart Design or an internship experience. All AAI students will showcase their work in the community and have the opportunity to be a part of a student leadership group called AAI Ambassadors

Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art

AP Studio Art is designed for highly motivated students who are interested in pursuing art in higher education or as a career. Summer work is required. Students must complete a large portfolio by May and participate in a variety of critiques. Out of class work is necessary to fulfill AP requirements. Traditionally this class is taken by seniors, but on occasion juniors may with instructor approval. This is an Arcata Arts Institute course.

Art 1

Art 1 is a foundation level class that encourages students to develop their own creative voice through the visual arts. Students will work in several different mediums including colored pencil, pastel, watercolor, tempera and ink. Students will learn the basics of drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and digital media. The elements & principles of design will be taught and emphasized throughout the year. All students will work in a sketchbook and create a portfolio to visually map their creative development. This course may also be used as a foundation course for enrollment in the Arcata Arts Institute.

Drama 1

The aim of this course is to develop self-discipline, responsible behavior, and talent as an actor. Students will learn to appreciate all aspects of theatre, including both performances and production. This class will cover movement, mime, dance, voice, memorization, and characterization through improvisation, acting exercises, scenes, and one-act play production. Dramatic literature, history of theatre, and technical theatre will also be studied.

Photography and Design

This course is designed to provide students with basic knowledge and skills in the medium of fine art photography and design. Students will use digital cameras and studio lighting to make photos based on a variety of creative concepts. Composition techniques and technical camera information such as shutter speed and depth of field will be introduced. Students will use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to edit their photos and create design projects. 21st century skills will be emphasized along with media arts and photography career options. The elements & principles of design will be taught and emphasized throughout the year. Various design assignments, exposure to fine art photographers and graphic designers and class critiques are used to promote creative thinking and enhance the creative process. Students are encouraged to provide their own digital camera but NOT required. In many cases students’ personal cell phone cameras can also be used. This course qualifies as a foundation course for enrollment in AAI.

Video and Audio Production 1 and 2

Students learn skills and practices in various aspects of video production by applying the elements of art, principles of design, and integration of technology for the effective visual communication of their ideas, feelings, and values. Students develop skills, including camera/recording operation, sound recording, and editing, framing and composition, manipulations of space and time, idea development and communication. This course will also create informational videos for the school community.