Arts
Anthony Bowers, Department Chair
Art is a universal language of expression offering unique views into society, history, and the human condition. At Friends’ Central, we believe the arts have the power to inspire change both internally and externally. The diverse visual and performing arts courses and co-curricular activities that we offer provide students with the tools necessary to understand what they experience, express themselves, and make informed decisions. Through an exploration of traditional and new media, including digital technologies and the Makerspace, students explore design thinking in personal and collaborative projects. Visual arts offerings in an assortment of mediums and styles range from applied arts to fine arts. Music offerings provide opportunities for students to listen to, create, and/or perform. The drama program includes both modern and classical instruction, and all students are invited to participate either onstage or behind the scenes in any of the three plays produced each year.
We teach students to respond to and appreciate the arts from a range of cultures while providing opportunities to exercise their own creativity. We encourage every student to discover their individual artistic voice and to collaborate within performing ensembles to further the acquisition of skills while honing critical thinking. From their interactive arts experiences both in and out of the classroom, students emerge confident, capable, curious, well-rounded, and expressive.
FCS graduation requirements include two years of art courses. Course offerings provide a high degree of flexibility in both selection and sequence. Students often begin to fulfill these requirements in ninth grade, and many elect to surpass the requirement.
In addition to the offerings listed, students are exposed to additional art-related experiences including visiting performance art centers and collaborating with the vibrant array of arts in Philadelphia. Students can also showcase their talents throughout the year both on and off campus.
For information on clubs, plays, and other non-curricular Arts opportunities at FCS, visit the Arts at FCS page.
Ensembles
Art Electives: Music
- Musical Theatre (Fall or Spring semester)
- History of African-American Music from Spirituals to Hip-Hop (Fall or Spring semester)
- Music: Intro to Theory and Composition (Fall or Spring semester)
- Music: Theory & Composition II (Fall or Spring semester)
- World Music Drumming (Fall or Spring semester)
- Fundamentals of Singing (Not offered 2024-2025)
Musical Theatre (Fall or Spring semester)
History of African-American Music from Spirituals to Hip-Hop (Fall or Spring semester)
Music: Intro to Theory and Composition (Fall or Spring semester)
Music: Theory & Composition II (Fall or Spring semester)
World Music Drumming (Fall or Spring semester)
Fundamentals of Singing (Not offered 2024-2025)
Art Electives: Visual Arts
- Digital Photography (full year)
- Studio Art I: Foundations of Studio Art (full year)
- Studio Art II: Advanced Topics in Studio Art (full year)
- Fiber Art Fabrication (Fall or Spring semester)
- Foundations of 2D Art (Fall or Spring semester)
- Introduction to Graphic Arts & Design (Fall and Spring semester)
- Wearable Art: Pattern to Precious Metal Clay (Fall and Spring semester)
- Woodworking (Fall or Spring semester)
- Design Thinking: Innovation & Creation (Fall semester)
- Art & Activism (Fall semester)
- Mixed Media: Connections with the Real World (Fall semester)
- Mixed Media: Transformation & Imagination (Spring semester)
- 3D Design (Not offered 2024-2025)
- Wearable Art: Connections to CID (Not offered 2024-2025)
Digital Photography (full year)
Studio Art I: Foundations of Studio Art (full year)
Studio Art II: Advanced Topics in Studio Art (full year)
Fiber Art Fabrication (Fall or Spring semester)
Foundations of 2D Art (Fall or Spring semester)
Introduction to Graphic Arts & Design (Fall and Spring semester)
Wearable Art: Pattern to Precious Metal Clay (Fall and Spring semester)
Woodworking (Fall or Spring semester)
Design Thinking: Innovation & Creation (Fall semester)
Art & Activism (Fall semester)
Mixed Media: Connections with the Real World (Fall semester)
Mixed Media: Transformation & Imagination (Spring semester)
3D Design (Not offered 2024-2025)
Wearable Art: Connections to CID (Not offered 2024-2025)
Art Electives: Theatre Arts
- Foundations of Theatre (Fall or Spring semester)
- Acting II (Fall semester)
- Scriptwriting: Building A World (Fall semester)
- Topics in Theater (Spring semester)
- Acting I (Spring semester)
- Devised Theatre (Not offered 2024-2025)