Hillsborough County Public School district prides itself in support of Art Education for all students. The Art Education department spans services from kindergarten to grade 12, offering opportunity to make connections in a number of ways. Through curriculum and community support for students, parents, educators and administration, the Art Education Department makes student success through creative thinking its number one priority.

Elementary students, grades 1st through 5th, are provided a minimum of 30 minutes of weekly art instruction, with opportunities for Kindergarten art experiences based on school site. Middle and high school students have a large variety of semester and annual courses to choose from when deciding their courses each academic year. This may include accelerated high school level courses at the middle school level (where offered) and AP Art & Design and Art History courses at the high school level.  

Aside from providing hands on experience with a variety of art materials and techniques, our art education programs allow students to practice real world skills like creative problem solving, critical thinking, cultural awareness, detailed communication skills and seeing how they both fit and contribute to their world. By reinforcing world-applicable skills and supporting their social emotional learning, students involved in art education programs are more likely to be goal oriented, have improved academic performance, make more supported decisions and hold stronger self-advocacy skills through personal voice.

Creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking: art education in a nutshell! Making connections with the people around us and finding creative ways to make positive change in our community is what HCPS Art Ed is all about.