The Fine Arts Department is working with teachers and students to promote the fine arts curricula, as well as additional projects to inspire students while distance learning is occurring.

Dancers from six HISD high schools worked together virtually to create a dance to inspire students studying at home via distance learning. The students are in the process of editing the video, which is part of a series titled “HISD Dance Alone—Together.” The video is expected to debut on Fine Arts Friday on April 24.

The Fine Arts Department is also receiving world-class guidance for instruction in theater arts. The Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and the Globe – three world-renowned theater companies in the United Kingdom – have granted HISD permission to use their online materials in the district’s theater curriculum. In addition, eight HISD theater teachers have created or are in the process of creating videos to accompany the HISD @ H.O.M.E. theater curriculum.

Visual arts teachers are participating in weekly meetings to discuss curriculum, planning, and online learning. Instructional methods are being shared in all areas of fine arts, and many teachers are creating online video lessons. Specialists are holding bi-weekly “Lunch and Learns,” in which best practices are shared and online lessons are delivered to teachers.

This week, CW39 TV host Trey Serna gave the team pointers on how to produce the best videos and how to get their students’ artwork shown on television. On Thursday, teachers received a virtual visit to the studio by artist Mike Bernadino.

For more information and access to curriculum documents, see Fine Arts at H.O.M.E. at www.houstonisd.org/Page/181051.