Newtown Director of Visual and Performing Arts Michelle Hiscavich accompanied Newtown Middle School Art teachers Leigh Anne Hildebrandt and Kristin Ladue to present on proposed changes to the NMS art curriculum at the April 4 Board of Education meeting.

Hildebrandt explained that the plan was to phase out the art enrichment program — and offer two-dimensional painting and drawing, and three-dimensional sculpture and mixed media studio art courses for eighth graders. The art enrichment program is a course option that students could apply to in favor of the standard art course.

Hildebrandt said a course called “Practical Arts” is something the teachers “would like to explore in the future,” but is not in the works for the 2023-24 school year. She later said it would be potentially available in three to five years, and would include elements such as graphic design and fashion.

She added that the middle school offers different opportunities for students to “engage in the arts” such as through the recently initiated National Junior Art Honor Society and in performing arts avenues.

According to Hildebrandt, the art department at NMS has seen reduced interest in students applying for the art enrichment program despite advertising the courses, talking to students, and providing resources.

The presenters showed some data, noting an average decrease of 5.8 applicants per year, a decrease in 3.4 enrolled students per year, and a total average of around 6.3 percent of students in the art enrichment program per year.

“That resulted in less available course offerings in the middle school, which created some scheduling issues,” Hildebrandt said.

Hildebrandt said the proposal would not add any new curriculum for the school, but is a modification, which helps to reduce budget implications of a course change.

She said with pandemic learning loss, this change would allow art teachers to meet students “where they’re at,” “reach a larger audience” and be in vertical alignment with preparation for high school courses.

Currently, Hildebrandt explained, Reed Intermediate School students apply through an extensive art enrichment application process to be accepted into the program in seventh grade. Accepted students have the option to continue into eighth grade or return to a general art course.

Seventh graders can also apply to the enrichment program if they were not initially accepted.

With the change, seventh graders would decide between general art, 2D, or 3D studio art for eighth grade with no application requirements, according to Hildebrandt.

“It would just be based on their interests and passions,” Hildebrandt said.

It was reported that 437 seventh and eighth grade students were surveyed by the art teachers, who concluded that around half of NMS students would be interested in the new course offerings.

Hildebrandt reported that 48 percent indicated they would be interested in the 2D course, and 52 percent indicated they would be interested in the 3D course or the practical arts course. Additionally, 57 percent of students surveyed indicated interest in both courses.

“What we’re trying to do with these course offerings is [provide] opportunities for students to explore artmaking through a variety of different processes,” Ladue said, adding that the art department intends to allow students to foster a studio-like atmosphere, be independent in the classroom, take artistic risks, follow passions, and be challenged by ideas.

“We want to build a family within the classroom where they’re not going to be afraid to engage with each other and grow with each other through the art making process,” Ladue said.

The subsequent motion to approve the middle school art course change was passed by the Board of Education unanimously after a short question and answer session.

Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.