Introduction to Visual and Performing Arts
Visual Arts
Performing Arts
The Hackley Music Institute

Introduction to Visual and Performing Arts

The Hackley Visual and Performing Arts departments ensure that our students are exposed to a wide variety of artistic experiences that will help them develop an appreciation for the role of art in society and hopefully foster a passionate interest in at least one artistic form. The Visual Arts department seeks to foster amongst our students, as well as the larger community, an awareness and appreciation of art as a vital component in a Hackley education. Hackley students understand art as a subject that is as serious as it is fun, as intellectual as it is intuitive, and as challenging as it is natural. Our many studios buzz with constant activity as our students develop their skills and knowledge of the rich tradition of art making, and explore their creative voices. Read more about the Hackley Visual Arts programs here.

Designed to introduce all students to a variety of music and drama experiences - and then support a wide range of interests, the Hackley Performing Arts program provides our students with instruction and training that satisfies students with both casual interests and professional aspirations. Read more about Hackley’s Performing Arts programs here.

Hackley’s music and performing arts program is supported by the unique training opportunities available to our students through The Music Institute at Hackley School.

Visual Arts

The Hackley Visual Arts Department seeks to instill in each student an appreciation for the intrinsic value of the creative process and an understanding of the importance of art in society now and throughout the ages. To that end, the department offers a progressive and age appropriate curriculum that provides students with a sound training in both the practical and historical aspects of image making. In addition, the department seeks to develop in students, at all levels, the critical skills essential for discussing and assessing their own work, as well as the artwork around them.

The Lower School program aims to provide our younger students with a memorable early experience with art, and consequently a sense of art as an integral part of their daily lives. Students learn basic skills and techniques in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional art, as well as the history of art, in sessions that meet twice a week.

Middle School students enjoy an exciting new studio equipped with its own kiln and pottery area. Maintaining the interdisciplinary connection to other subject areas established in the Lower School, Middle School art students receive a more formal training in drawing & design, painting, sculpture, and ceramics. A range of both figurative and abstract projects and exercises help students build confidence in their abilities, and encourage them to explore their own creative voices. Students also participate on a number of day trips to museums, galleries, and other art related sites during the course of the year.

The Upper School Visual Arts program is a sequential program that begins in the freshman year with our Foundation Studio minor courses. Once students have completed any one of these foundation courses, they may enroll in successively more advanced courses in a range of disciplines. All of our Upper School art courses emphasize the importance of drawing as the root of all image making. Whether in the photo, drawing, painting, sculpture, or architecture studio, students work to acquire a sound grasp of essential formal drawing issues, such as composition and design, line, light, space, form, and color. Individual projects focus on one or more of these issues, and provide students practical opportunities to experiment with these concepts on paper, canvas, clay, and steel.

Emphasis is also placed in the Upper School on both the process and product of making art. Students are taught the intrinsic value of creative activity, and are simultaneously given ample access to the kind of satisfaction and confidence that only successful results can bring. Technical skills are taught and developed in conjunction with in-studio projects, and proficiency is addressed as the natural result of hard work and sustained dedication to one’s craft. In our most advanced courses, technical proficiency is understood as a means to a personally creative end, and not as an end in itself.

Students in our Upper School program are afforded numerous opportunities outside of our studios to deepen their relationship and experience with art. Students participate in numerous on campus and external exhibitions throughout the year, as well as attend excursions to museums, galleries, and other places of artistic interest. Interested students are also assisted in securing internship positions in the visual arts/design fields.

All of Hackley’s Upper School Visual Arts faculty are working, professional artists, who share the experiences of their own artistic journey with their students in the Hackley studios.

Performing Arts

Hackley provides a complete, K-12 performing arts program that satisfies the interests of students at all ages and levels.

The Lower School program introduces all of our students to the fundamental concepts of music through motion and instrumentation. All students participate in a program that lays the foundation for a life with music and performing arts. In addition to the regular program, Hackley offers optional string and woodwind programs for our interested Lower School students. All of our students perform in major school performances, smaller special events, or mini-recitals depending upon their level of participation.

The Middle School program is based upon the concept that developing adolescents learn best through performance. Therefore, each student chooses to participate in orchestra, band, or chorus and has the option to participate in drama and jazz band programs. Once again, all of our students perform throughout the school year.

The Upper School program aims to accommodate a wide range of dedications and intensities. The program supports those students who wish to make music and drama a small part of their lives as well as those who aspire to become professionals. In addition to the offerings our students become accustomed to in Middle School, our Upper School students can participate in guitar ensemble, small jazz groups, vocal ensembles, and chamber ensembles.

Hackley’s music and performing arts program is supported by the unique training opportunities available to our students through The Music Institute at Hackley School.

The Hackley Music Institute

Providing a unique opportunity for Hackley students, the Music Institute at Hackley School represents a partnership between professional musicians of the area, Hackley School, and the Hackley community.

The Institute offers both group and one-on-one lessons in all instruments, drama, and voice – and at all levels. The Institute’s faculty members are all professionally trained, working musicians and artists many of whom have received national and international awards. The Institute provides a rare opportunity for our students to experience a connection between music instruction and higher plane of music that only accomplished working musicians can bring.

Lessons are taught on Hackley’s campus and can be arranged during the school day or after school – depending upon each student’s schedule. 320 lessons are taught each week to 275 different members of the Hackley community, mostly our students.