Role of Student Visual Arts Exhibitions
Exhibitions of student work in the visual arts provide opportunities for
students to share accomplishments and educate the community about the visual
arts program, perhaps thereby increasing support for the program. Another
reason to organize such exhibitions is to communicate to young artists the value
placed on their artwork and artistic achievements. Awards and prizes are not
necessary because students will be satisfied with the opportunities provided to
exhibit their work.
A statement providing background about a work of art is valuable in
communicating to the public the intention of the work and to locate it in the
context of the visual arts program and content standards. It may include lesson
objectives, descriptions of lessons or assignments, and the relation between the
work and the visual arts content standards. Often, photographs of the students
at work and the inclusion of works in progress may help clarify the context of
what is on display. When several examples of particular lessons are grouped
together, parents and other viewers may understand the uniqueness of each
student’s work. The exhibits should also demonstrate the variety of media in
which students are working. When students are responsible for designing and
installing an exhibit, they gain additional skill and experience relating to such
careers as serving as a curator, working in an art gallery, or managing a museum.
Resources for the Visual Arts Program
To enable students to explore ideas, think innovatively, and participate
in creating visual art in all its forms, school districts should adopt long-range
plans providing for appropriate equipment, instructional materials, and facilities
and including the assistance of community resources and parent involvement.
Library media centers and teachers can also provide important resource materi-
als to support the activities of visual arts students and teachers.
Equipment and Instructional Materials
The State Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment provides an
advisory on legislation regulating the purchase of art and craft materials and
guidelines for the safe use of the materials. The advisory includes a list titled
“Art and Craft Materials Which Cannot Be Purchased for Use in Kindergarten
and Grades One Through Six.” Updated regularly, the list is available at
http://www.oehha.ca.gov/education/art/getart.html. (See also Appendix F,
“Guidelines for the Safe Use of Art and Craft Materials.”)
The advisory further informs school personnel about precautions to be
taken when purchasing art and craft materials for use in grades seven through
twelve, and Education Code Section 32064 mandates labeling standards for those
materials when they contain toxic substances. The mandate is based on the
Chapter 4
Guidance
for Visual and
Performing Arts
ProgramsVisual Arts