Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, Bangor High School students will be able to choose a course of study with a concentration in fine arts.

Similar to Bangor High School’s STEM Academy that was launched in the fall of 2012, Bangor High School’s Fine Arts Academy will offer students with an interest in the visual arts a rigorous, enriching program.  Any student interested in deep exploration of the arts can choose one of three pathways in the visual arts: digital and commercial art, two-dimensional art, or three-dimensional art.

After completing the Introductory Course, The Creative Process, in the 9th grade year, students will choose a distinct pathway for their focused art study during the sophomore, junior, and senior years and complete a total of six courses in their concentration plus a senior year Capstone Project.

The Capstone Project will prepare students well for post-secondary study and career fields in the arts, resulting in a portfolio, written proposal, essay describing the creative process behind the work, an artist’s statement, and a formal presentation to a committee of artists and educators. Fine Arts Academy students will also broaden their art experience with summer work in the sophomore and junior summers in the form of an internship, apprenticeship, course, or other high-quality experience.

“We believe that the addition of another achievement-oriented, high quality program option benefits our students exponentially and strengthens our position as a school of choice regionally,” says Dr. Betsy Webb, Superintendent of Schools. Bangor High School hopes to expand the Fine Arts Academy model in the future to include performing arts such as chorus,  orchestra, band, and theatre arts.

Fine Arts Academy enrollment will be available next year to entering freshmen and rising sophomores who have taken Art I and complete a guided study this summer. Interested students or parents may contact Bangor High School Principal Paul Butler at 992-5500.