Visual & Performing Arts

Staff Directory

Crump, Karen - Department Lead, High School Art 1, Drawing & Painting, 3–Dimensional Design, AP Art, AP 2D Art and Design

Johnson, Jennifer - Art 7/8, High School Art 1

Miller, Katelynn - Drama 7/8, High School Drama 1-4, Technical Theater

Ramirez, Jemal - Beginning Band, Band 1, Intermediate Band, Advanced Band, Advanced Band with Honors

Seibly, Cameron - Multi-Media Arts 8, High School Multi-Media Arts (Digital Arts)

Mission

Strengthening arts, culture and creative expression as the tools to cultivate a better world.

Vision

UPA Arts champions creative growth and innovation by equitably advancing the tools and resources for a high-quality visual arts, media arts, theater and music education.

Visual and Performing Arts Department, UC / CSU Content Area “f”

The nation’s arts standards specify that “an education in the arts is for ALL students, regardless of their background, talent, or disabilities.” UPA believes in the importance of the arts not only as a means to enrich a student’s understanding of the past and present but also as an advanced form of communication and expression, and an academic tool to broaden a student’s ability to approach a problem or situation. Indeed, Leonardo da Vinci, perhaps the greatest inventor of modern times, used the blending of art and science in his works to communicate his learning and discoveries in a manner that would be commonly understandable. Scientists and physicians today are just now realizing the tangible benefits of da Vinci’s scientific works that he conveyed originally as art forms. Arts learning requires students to observe, analyze, synthesize, create, and evaluate. It also draws on a variety of intelligences and provides students with experience in higher-order thinking.

The Visual and Performing Arts Department course offerings are listed below

Course Course Number Grade Level
Art 7/8 A1050XX 7-8
Art 1 “f” A1000XX 9-10
Drawing and Painting (I & II) “f” / “g” A2000XX 10-11
3-Dimensional Design “f” / “g” A3000XX 11-12
AP 2D Art and Design A4050XX 11-12
Multi-Media Arts 8 A9000X7 7-8
Multi-Media Arts 1 (Digital Arts) A9050XX 9-12
Course Course Number Grade Level
Drama 7/8 T5000X7/T5000X8 7-8
Acting 1-4 “f” / “g” T5050XX 9-12
Technical Theater “f” T5020XX 9-12
Beginning Band 7/8 and 9-12 “f” T1200X7/T1200XX 7-12
Band 1 (1-4) “f” T1250X8 9-12
Intermediate Band 7/8 and 9-12 “f” T1200X7/T1210XX 7-12
Advanced Band “f” / “g” T1250XX 9-12
Advanced Band With Honors T1300XX 12

High School Graduation Requirements

> 20 Units of Visual and Performing Arts, and at least one must be UC “f” UC Eligibility

f. Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) - 1 year required. A student must earn 10 credits and a grade of 'C' or higher in a single, yearlong approved VPA course.