The study of visual art provides students with the skills to appreciate and create and visual art.  In visual art, students explore the world of art through subject matter that centers on the student’s own environment, allowing them to express feelings and ideas using a variety of media and tools. Communication skills are developed as students discover how to communicate through art and to discuss their own creations. Technical expertise is honed as they learn to use tools properly for drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture. As they develop their artistic sensibilities, students will build upon their knowledge of the elements and principles of visual art to investigate more complex concepts of artistic design. Civic literacy is developed as subject matter expands from personal to the community, environment, nature and other cultures, and an understanding of connections between the arts and other disciplines is formed.