Arts

Visual & Performing Arts

The arts program is distinguished by creative expression and performance, offering extensive opportunities in visual art, music, theater, and dance.

Faculty and students collaborate to create an environment that fosters the confidence to perform and exhibit, while also establishing a supportive network to navigate individual growth. Many Berwick artists are highly accomplished in their crafts and move on to study at the college level.

Grade 5-12 Performing Arts Vision

The goal of Performing Arts at Berwick Academy is to provide a rich and diverse performance and learning opportunity for all students. We strive to provide a high quality program in performance and music. It is our aim to develop and nurture our students’ artistic and creative response to performance and music interests, so that they become confident and creative young adults with a lifelong love and interest in music and performing arts.

Upper School Performing Arts

The Upper School has a diverse offering of traditional performing ensembles and performance and music electives to satisfy the diverse creative interests of the young creative artists of today. In addition to Chamber Chorus, Strings and Symphonic Band, students may also enroll in African Music, Electronic Music Production I-IV, Dance and Composition, Mbira, Music Survey, Music Theory, Ukulele Ensemble and Ukulele Ensemble.

Students in the Upper school who are serious about visual and or performing arts may also elect to participate in the Arts Pathway or enroll in an Arts Pinnacle course.

Grade 5-12 Visual Arts Vision

The goal of the visual arts curriculum is to teach students to see, reflect, and respond to the world with fresh eyes. Teachers in all three divisions present a vibrant arts curriculum which encourages the development of each student’s personal voice and presents challenges which cultivate original thought, creative problem solving and risk taking. This curriculum aims to develop the technical skills for a range of disciplines, materials and experience while providing both depth and breadth of artistic study at age appropriate stages of learning.

Upper School Visual Arts

Students in the Upper School build upon foundations skills and knowledge of how artists use and employ the elements of art and principles of design. Study in the visual arts promotes research, independent thinking and encourages innovative approaches to creating art where meaning is forged through artistic choices. Students explore areas of interest by choosing from a wide range of trimester electives including studio art studies, ceramics, metalsmithing, photography, digital design and film. Students may also follow a track of study in fine arts, 2D design or 3D design courses leading to pinnacle classes and advanced portfolio development.

Upper School art students have been regionally and nationally recognized in art competitions and represented in national exhibitions, and are connected with the Seacoast art community through exhibition and on site visiting artist workshops.

At Berwick Academy, studio spaces are safe places where students engage in collaborative and self-directed study, learn critical thinking skills, and where students gain artistic confidence and an appreciation and understanding of art. This understanding is augmented by an increasing awareness of contemporary artists and historical art context. Student artists are encouraged to connect with the greater community through gallery exhibitions, visiting artists and community art experiences at all levels of study.

Berwick Academy

31 Academy Street
South Berwick, Maine 03908

Contact:
Admissions | 207.384.6300
Main Office | 207.384.2164

Berwick Academy, situated on an 80-acre campus just over one hour north of Boston, serves 600 students, Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12, from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Deeply committed to its mission of promoting virtue and useful knowledge, Berwick Academy empowers students to be creative and bold. Berwick strives to graduate alumni who shape their own learning, take risks, ask thoughtful questions, and come to understand and celebrate their authentic selves. Founded in 1791 and rooted in a tradition of college preparation, our culture of innovation prepares students for a complex and dynamic world.