Visual Arts at ISI
At the ISI, visual arts inspire students to observe, create, and communicate in meaningful ways. Through hands-on studio experiences, students develop technical skills, creative confidence, and an appreciation for artistic traditions from around the world. From their earliest years through graduation, students are encouraged to explore their ideas, express their perspectives, and make connections between art, culture, and learning.
Lower School Visual Arts
Students in the Primary Years Programme (Age 3–Grade 5) participate in weekly visual arts classes that nurture creativity while building foundational artistic skills. As students progress through the PYP, they revisit key concepts with increasing depth and complexity, developing both technical abilities and creative thinking.
Studio instruction is centered around four core areas:
- Art production
- Art criticism
- Art aesthetics
- Art history
Many visual arts projects are connected to students' IB Units of Inquiry, allowing them to deepen classroom learning through creative exploration. Whether illustrating scientific concepts, interpreting historical events, or expressing cultural perspectives, students discover meaningful connections between art and the world around them.
Upper School Visual Arts Curriculum
Students in Grades 6–12 continue their artistic journey through the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP).
In Middle School, students rotate through visual arts, music, and theatre, gaining experience across each artistic discipline. In High School, students can choose to pursue a visual arts pathway to further develop their artistic interests and talents.
The Upper School visual arts curriculum introduces students to a wide variety of artistic media and techniques, including drawing, painting, sculpture, digital art, and mixed media. As students refine their skills, they also develop an understanding of the elements and principles of art, art history, and influential artistic movements from around the world.
A key component of the program is the Visual Arts Process Journal, where students document their artistic journey by:
- Experimenting with new techniques
- Recording observations and research
- Developing creative ideas
- Reflecting on their artistic process and growth
This emphasis on inquiry and reflection encourages students to become thoughtful artists who are willing to take creative risks, solve problems, and continually refine their work.
Student Exhibitions
Throughout the school year, students have opportunities to showcase their artwork in exhibitions and community events that celebrate creativity, artistic growth, and the diverse perspectives that make up the ISI community.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Visual arts at ISI extends beyond the studio through enriching field trips and travel experiences that expose students to museums, galleries, cultural landmarks, and artistic traditions. These opportunities allow students to experience art firsthand, engage with professional artists and collections, and deepen their understanding of global cultures through visual expression.
Gryphon Gallery
