The Arts

The Arts are an integral part of the Mission of Nativity School. Through the arts students are exposed to other ways of thinking and expressing themselves through shape and color, sound and rhythm or movement.

Visual Arts

Nativity’s program is based in a teaching method called Discipline Based Arts Education. It is a method that incorporates not only studio work but also art history, art criticism and aesthetics. Each studio project is inspired by an individual artist’s work or a cultural artifact. Aspects of the elements and principals of design are woven into the instruction and projects. We discuss the cultural and or historical influences on an artwork. Each grade completes at least one drawing, one painting, one 3 dimensional and one print making project every year. We have a kiln and students work in clay at least every other year. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 have class once a week; in Grades 6-8 twice a week.

Musical Arts

In the primary grades the emphasis is on developing a sense of rhythm and familiarity with Orff instruments. Students in Grade 4 learn to play the recorder. In the junior high the focus is on choral music. Each year those students participate in the Archdiocesan sponsored Choral Adjudication. All students have class twice a week. Membership in the school band is an option for students in Grades 4-8.

Performing Arts

The Annual Variety Show is the highlight of the year for our future Broadway stars. Students in Grades K-8 are invited to “get their act together” and present it to the community. The Variety Show is produced by Grade 8. They are responsible for all aspects of the show, providing the leadership required to make it happen.

 

The Ohio Arts Council

Since 1980 Nativity has consistently worked with the Ohio Arts Council to bring professional artists on campus to work with a core group of students for two to four weeks. Nativity has hosted dancers, poets, mimes, musicians, traditional folk artists, film makers and actors. For more information on the Ohio Arts Council visit https://oac.ohio.gov/ 

The Young Americans

Nativity hosts the Young Americans when they are on their midwest tour, approximately every three years. These incredibly talented performers host three days of workshops in the performing arts for our students in Grades 4-8. The final show is one students and the audience long remember.

Publishing Center

Each year every student at Nativity completes a handmade book using archival materials (e.g. acid free papers and glues that will not deteriorate over time). The projects combine the joint efforts of all the members of the Nativity community: parents, students, teachers and the administration. A significant amount of art class time is devoted to the creation of these unique and beautiful pieces which are on display at the publishing center open house each May