High School Center Programs ⟶ Program Themes ⟶ Visual Art

Visual Art

Step out of standard art class and into a professional studio environment! Whether you love drawing and design, ceramics, or digital art, this program helps you level up your skills, master professional tools like Adobe, and build an impressive portfolio that gets noticed. You’ll complete real-world capstone projects, gain hands-on career experience, and earn industry certifications to jumpstart your path to art school, college, or a career in design and the creative arts.

Core Experiences

Secure the prestigious Maryland State Fine Arts Diploma Seal
Build a professional, industry-ready portfolio
Create alongside fellow artists in an immersive, collaborative studio environment
Explore art history, performance critique, and visual aesthetics
Connect with professional community partners through high-impact, real-world creative experiences

Program Goals

Develop Foundational Knowledge and Skills in the Arts
Students in the MCPS Regional Visual Art & Design programs will develop competitive portfolios featuring both drawing and media-specific skills.
Provide Hands-On, Real-World Experience in the Arts
Students have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials related to their media and/or business marketing or entrepreneurship, while designing and implementing a capstone project related to their chosen career focus with support from MCPS partners.
Foster College, Career, and/or Community Pathways in the Arts
Support students in exploring and pursuing postsecondary education and careers in the arts by offering certifications, dual enrollment opportunities, and engagement with industry professionals, equipping them to complete the MSDE Arts Pathway Diploma Seal requirements.

Application & Locations

Application: Criteria-based application. Students applying to the Visual Art Center Program will be asked to submit a portfolio and artist statement electronically and sit for a live drawing session. Information will be sent to applicants about this process after an application is submitted.

Schools:

Southern Region: Einstein
Eastern Region: Blake
Central South Region: Woodward
Central Region: Wootton
Central North Region: Quince Orchard
Northern Region: Northwest

Course Progression

Below is a sample sequence of courses for students enrolled in the Visual Art Program. Cells in blue are related to the program pathway. This is subject to change as the programs are developed.

Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
Visual Art Center 1 (Double Period)	Visual Art Center 2	AP Drawing (Double Period) or IB Art 1 (Double Period)	AP 2D or 3D Visual Art (Double Period) AP Photography or IB Art 2 (Double Period)
Visual Art Center 1 (Double Period)	Elective Art Course or World Language	AP Drawing (Double Period) or IB Art 1 (Double Period)
World Language or Elective	World Language or Elective	Elective Art Course or Arts Business/Management or World Language	Elective Art Course or Arts Career Centered Learning or World Language
English	English	English	English
Math	Math	Math	Math
Science	Science	Science	Elective
Social Studies	Social Studies	Social Studies	Elective

Program Requirements

In addition to MCPS graduation requirements, students must complete the following to remain enrolled in the Visual Art Program and earn the related certificate:

Art Core
- Visual Arts Center 1 & 2
- 1 credit Art elective
- AP Drawing AND AP 2D or 3D Visual Art (IB Art may replace one (SL) or both (HL) of these in schools where it is offered) or dual enrollment
- Completion capstone project
Focus (students opt for one of the following three options)
- Art
  - 2 Additional credits of art electives
- Business
  - Arts Business/Management
  - Completion of Arts Internship
- World Languages
  - Seal of Biliteracy and related world language credit