Visual & Performing 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. 

Performing Arts Overview

Berwick Academy’s Performing Arts program aims to inspire and develop students’ artistic and creative skills in music, theater, and dance. By providing rich and diverse performance and learning opportunities for all students, we strive to provide a high quality program where students can hone their skills, build confidence, and foster a lifelong engagement with the arts.

Upper School Performing Arts

In the Upper School, students can choose from a diverse range of traditional performing ensembles and performance and music electives. Students can enroll in full year ensembles such as Chamber Chorus, Strings or Symphonic Band/Jazz Band, or trimester electives in African or World Music, Beginner Guitar, Dance and Composition, Electronic Music Production, Modern Band, Intro to Dance, Music Survey/Theory, or Ukelele.
 
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.

Visual Arts Overview

Our goal in the Visual Arts is to teach students to uncover and expand their creative voice and connect more deeply with the world through varied themes and materials. With a curriculum designed to promote exploration and the study of art history, contemporary art, and aesthetics, as well as successful skill development, our studios are places of collaboration, creative problem solving, and risk taking. This curriculum aims to develop perceptual and technical skills across 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 Art

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, and photography. 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 gain artistic confidence and an appreciation and understanding of art. This understanding is augmented by an increasing awareness of contemporary artists, multicultural perspectives, 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.

Explore The Upper School:

Berwick Academy

Berwick Academy, situated on an 80-acre campus just over one hour north of Boston, serves 550 students, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 and Post-Graduates. Berwick students are from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and several countries. 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.