Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Visual Arts: High School

Other Colorado Arts sets

Utilize the inquiry method of observation and the language of visual art and design to gather information and determine meaning.HS.1

  • 1

    Utilize the inquiry method of observation and the language of visual art and design to gather information and determine meaning.HS.1.1

    1. a

      Develop observation skills to generate and synthesize ideas and interpret communicated meaning.HS.1.1.a

    2. b

      Connect and compare information gathered through observation in order to articulate the human experience.HS.1.1.b

    3. c

      Discern and interpret nuances of meaning and intention of visual art and design across cultural contexts.HS.1.1.c

    4. d

      Critically analyze the origins of visual art and design across cultures.HS.1.1.d

  • 2

    Interpret, analyze and explain the influence of multiple contexts found in visual art and design.HS.1.2

    1. a

      Analyze visual art and design traditions to understand the influence of historical and cultural context on works of art and design.HS.1.2.a

    2. b

      Identify unexplored ideas to gain understanding of works of art.HS.1.2.b

    3. c

      Research and document visual art, design and architecture identifying various themes that communities experience across cultures and throughout time.HS.1.2.c

    4. d

      Connect unexplored works of visual art and design to the lives of students.HS.1.2.d

    5. e

      Identify and analyze innovations in visual art and design from diverse cultures to inform about the present and future works of art. HS.1.2.e

    6. f

      Analyze and debate the consequences of replicating images or icons that are culturally or spiritually sensitive.HS.1.2.f

  • 3

    Use artmaking processes as forms of inquiry to develop skills of perception and independent reasoning, and to increase knowledge.HS.1.3

    1. a

      Examine how connotation and denotation are used in visual art and design to express multidimensional concepts.HS.1.3.a

    2. b

      Compare personal work within the larger discourse of visual art and design practices to identify purpose and function.HS.1.3.b

    3. c

      Critically analyze selection of materials that inform conceptualization and expression of ideas and aesthetic experience.HS.1.3.c

    4. d

      Investigate and articulate the aims of disparate art practices to foster critical thinking about visual art and design.HS.1.3.d

Envision and Critique to ReflectHS.2

  • 1

    Use criteria and personal discernment to evaluate works of art and design, taking into consideration the variables that influence how the work is perceived.HS.2.1

    1. a

      Identify concepts, themes and viewpoints that are visible and suggested in a work of art.HS.2.1.a

    2. b

      Communicate interpretive and evaluative conclusions that justify intention and purpose.HS.2.1.b

    3. c

      Provide explanations that support critical judgments and discuss the value of competing opinions to support learning.HS.2.1.c

    4. d

      Determine how knowledge gained from critique may affect the creation or modification of an existing or new work of art.HS.2.1.d

    5. e

      Utilize critique to analyze and interpret existing or new works of art and apply new learning to the creation or modification of an artwork. HS.2.1.e

  • 2

    Articulate a personal philosophy of art, understanding various philosophies that have come before.HS.2.2

    1. a

      Critically reflect on how artists work across time to form new patterns of insight.HS.2.2.a

    2. b

      Document, investigate and synthesize a range of traditional and nontraditional studio practices to articulate intent.HS.2.2.b

    3. c

      Synthesize research, theory and practice to envision the creation of an artwork.HS.2.2.c

    4. d

      Develop and defend a personal philosophy of art using informed criteria. HS.2.2.d

  • 3

    Examine the nature of diverse aesthetic experiences to build a language of representation that can be used to respond to the world.HS.2.3

    1. a

      Analyze and interpret philosophies of Western and non-Western art, taking into consideration the role of the artist, art historian and art critic.HS.2.3.a

    2. b

      Explore past and present aesthetic experiences to convey perceptions, share interpretations, critique and evaluate works of visual art and design.HS.2.3.b

    3. c

      Interpret how meaning in works of art are related to the materials and process chosen by the artist.HS.2.3.c

    4. d

      Recognize how different criteria create contexts that influence the evaluation and assessment of visual works of art and design.HS.2.3.d

    5. e

      Discuss and debate how society has come to value some works of art over others.HS.2.3.e

Invent and Discover to CreateHS.3

  • 1

    Establish a practice of planning and experimentation to advance concepts and technical artistic skills.HS.3.1

    1. a

      Research and generate possible concepts that can be used to build deeper meaning in preparation for making.HS.3.1.a

    2. b

      Research and consider various iterations of an idea and draft possible solutions using a variety of media.HS.3.1.b

    3. c

      Practice techniques and improve skills by testing media to consider constraints and potential of materials.HS.3.1.c

    4. d

      Create works of art that use traditional and contemporary media.HS.3.1.d

  • 2

     Ideate and build works of art and design to demonstrate growth and proficiency in traditional and new art media.HS.3.2

    1. a

      Examine and evolve potential meanings of an artwork.HS.3.2.a

    2. b

      Master skills in a variety of media and techniques to create personally meaningful works of art.HS.3.2.b

    3. c

      Interpret how meaning in works of art is related to the materials and process chosen by the artist. HS.3.2.c

    4. d

      Resolve artmaking problems by persisting through failure and making revisions.HS.3.2.d

  • 3

    Articulate and demonstrate that the making and study of art and design can be approached from a variety of perspectives.HS.3.3

    1. a

      Identify how interpretation can be an essential part of the artmaking process to evaluate progress.HS.3.3.a

    2. b

      Receive and reflect upon feedback and integrate into artwork as needed.HS.3.3.b

    3. c

      Use knowledge and developed skills to inform future works of visual art and design.HS.3.3.c

    4. d

      Persevere through the progression of a work to explore and encourage alternative solutions.HS.3.3.d

Relate and Connect to TransferHS.4

  • 1

    Research and analyze the ways visual artists, designers and scholars express personal views and beliefs and how these perspectives have a social context that enlarges the meaning of an artwork beyond the individual maker.HS.4.1

    1. a

      Research and debate viewpoints found in a variety of resources that focus on and discuss visual art and design.HS.4.1.a

    2. b

      Discern the complexity of visual art and design to interpret and articulate historical paradigms in cultural context.HS.4.1.b

    3. c

      Analyze and evaluate how works of art previously created across time and culture can influence the work of practicing artists today.HS.4.1.c

  • 2

    Develop proficiency in visual communication skills that extends learning to new contexts and disciplines.HS.4.2

    1. a

      Use reasoning to identify problems and conceive solutions in artmaking that demonstrate independent judgment.HS.4.2.a

    2. b

      Transfer and integrate concepts and skills to inform innovative ideas and solutions.HS.4.2.b

  • 3

    Utilize the practice of artmaking, and research historical and cultural contexts, to discern between different viewpoints, critique social problems and effect social change.HS.4.3

    1. a

      Demonstrate autonomous meaning-making and problem-solving skills to create works that reveal agency in thinking.HS.4.3.a

    2. b

      Work collaboratively to share knowledge and apply learning in new and unexpected contexts.HS.4.3.b

    3. c

      Engage in curating processes that invoke social, cultural and potential discourse.HS.4.3.c

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12

Keep exploring

Keep exploring Arts standards

Sibling grade bands, other subjects in this jurisdiction, and the same subject across other states.

More Colorado Arts sets

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