Empowering Youth Through Media Arts
A comprehensive K-12 Art Curriculum teaching students to master both traditional art techniques and digital media production—from animation and filmmaking to A.I., video games, VR, and AR. These classes take place concurrently with the standard educational model curriculum (Math, English, Social Studies, etc.)
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Curriculum Overview:
From Traditional Art
To Digital Multimedia
Advanced Media (Grades 9-12)
Specialization & portfolio development
Digital Production (Grades 6-8)
Film, animation & interactive media
Visual Storytelling (Grades 3-5)
Combining art with digital tools
Artistic Foundations (Grades K-2)
Traditional art skills & creative play
Our curriculum follows a cohesive, linear progression that builds upon foundational art skills before introducing digital tools. This approach ensures students develop strong creative fundamentals that transfer across all media forms, while gradually introducing more complex technologies and techniques.
Grades K-2: Artistic Foundations
Drawing Basics
Line, shape, and color fundamentals
Painting & Sculpture
Exploring texture and form
Visual Storytelling
Creating characters and narratives
Digital Introduction
Simple drawing apps and tools
In these foundational years, students develop core artistic abilities through hands-on activities. They learn to express themselves through drawing, painting, and sculpture while being introduced to basic digital tools. Projects include personal storybooks, class murals, and simple stop-motion animations using paper and clay.
Grades 3-5: Visual Storytelling & Digital Entry
Mixed Media Art
Students expand their artistic toolkit by combining traditional media with basic graphic design principles, deepening their understanding of art elements and principles.
Digital Storytelling
Introduction to platforms like Scratch for creating interactive stories and simple animations, plus comic creation and flipbooks.
Film Fundamentals
Learning framing, storyboarding, and simple editing techniques to create short digital films with basic effects.
A.R./V.R. Introduction
Exploring augmented reality with tools like Merge Cube to create interactive experiences and AR-enhanced posters.
Building on their artistic foundation, students begin bridging traditional and digital art forms. They create digital comics with voiceovers, short films, and interactive stories while continuing to develop their drawing and design skills.
Grades 6-8: Intermediate Media Production
Advanced Drawing & Photography
Mastering composition, digital illustration, and photo editing techniques
Video Production
Scriptwriting, filming, and editing complete short films
Game Design Basics
Creating interactive experiences with Bloxels or Gamefroot
VR/AR Exploration
Developing 360° Photography and Interactive AR experiences
Middle school students dive deeper into media production while continuing to refine their artistic skills. They learn to tell stories through multiple mediums, from short films to interactive games. Projects include illustrated storybooks with digital elements, short films, VR visual diaries, and choose-your-own-adventure multimedia stories.
Grades 9-10: Specialized Media Arts
Animation
2D animation with Krita and 3D modeling with Blender, creating character designs and animated shorts
Filmmaking
Advanced editing techniques, color correction, sound design, and cinematography
Game Development
Unity with visual scripting, level design, and game mechanics
AI & Generative Art
Introduction to AI tools like RunwayML and DALL·E for creative expression
High school students begin to specialize in their chosen media paths while working on collaborative projects. They develop technical proficiency in industry-standard software and start building their portfolios. Projects include animated shorts, game prototypes, and cross-disciplinary productions that integrate STEM concepts.
Grades 11-12: Advanced Production & Portfolio Development
Advanced Software Mastery
Developing expertise in professional tools like Adobe Suite, Unity, Unreal Engine, and Blender to create industry-standard work
Mentorship & Industry Connection
Working with professional mentors, attending workshops, and exploring internship opportunities in media production fields
Capstone Project Development
Planning, producing, and refining a significant media project that showcases technical and creative abilities
Portfolio & Professional Presentation
Creating a polished digital portfolio, presenting work publicly, and preparing for college or career opportunities
In the final years, students focus on developing professional-quality work and preparing for higher education or careers in media arts. They complete capstone projects that demonstrate their technical skills and creative vision, culminating in a public showcase of their achievements.
Global Distribution - 350 Million Devices Reached
Reaching global audiences through multi-platform streaming, bringing Student Content to the world stage. Multicast distribution - OTT (Over The Top) International broadcasting over the Internet and Wi-Fi, Connected TV (Roku, Android TV), Apple TV, local terrestrial and satellite platforms.
Traditional Art Techniques: The Foundation
Drawing & Illustration
Students master fundamental techniques in pencil, charcoal, and ink drawing, developing skills in proportion, perspective, shading, and line work that transfer to digital illustration.
Painting & Color Theory
Exploration of watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media painting techniques, with emphasis on color theory, composition, and expressive brushwork.
Sculpture & 3D Design
Hands-on experience with clay, paper, and mixed materials to understand form, texture, and spatial relationships—skills that directly translate to 3D modeling.
Digital Media Pathways
Film & Video Production
From storyboarding to final edit
Animation (2D & 3D)
Character design to full animation
Game Design & Development
Concept to playable prototype
Virtual & Augmented Reality
Immersive experience creation
AI & Generative Media
Exploring creative AI applications
As students progress through the curriculum, they can specialize in one or more digital media pathways. Each pathway builds upon traditional art skills while introducing specialized technical knowledge. Students learn to apply their creativity across multiple platforms, preparing them for diverse career opportunities in the digital media landscape.
Cultural Context & Representation
African & Diaspora Art History
Students explore the rich artistic traditions of Africa and the African diaspora, from traditional sculpture and textiles to contemporary Black artists working in digital media. This historical context helps students connect their own creative work to cultural heritage and ongoing artistic conversations.
By studying Black artists throughout history and across media forms, students gain inspiration and develop a deeper understanding of how art reflects and shapes cultural identity.
Representation in Media
The curriculum critically examines representation in mainstream media while empowering students to create authentic narratives. Students analyze how Black characters and stories have been portrayed in animation, film, and games, then develop their own media that authentically represents their experiences and perspectives.
Guest speakers and mentors from the Black creative community provide real-world insights and role models for students exploring media careers.
Assessment & Portfolio Development
Student assessment balances technical proficiency with creative expression. Throughout the curriculum, students build digital portfolios documenting their growth and showcasing their best work. These portfolios become valuable assets for college applications and job opportunities.
Regular critique sessions teach students to give and receive constructive feedback, while public exhibitions provide opportunities to present work to the broader community. By graduation, students have comprehensive portfolios demonstrating their skills across multiple media formats.
Resources & Implementation
Curriculum Standards Alignment
This curriculum aligns with National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) while incorporating culturally responsive teaching practices. It integrates with core academic subjects, reinforcing math concepts through game design, scientific principles through AR/VR, and literacy through storytelling.
Technology Requirements
The curriculum is designed with flexibility for different resource levels. Early grades require basic art supplies and shared tablets, while upper grades benefit from computers capable of running design software. Open-source alternatives are suggested when possible to reduce costs.
Professional Development
Teachers receive training in both traditional art techniques and digital media production. Ongoing professional development ensures educators stay current with rapidly evolving technology and can effectively guide students across all media forms.