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Reflecting on the first art exhibition held by Haidian Kaiwen School in Beijing, the words that come to mind are creativity, ideals, freedom, and uniqueness. Each piece of artwork captures the essence of youth, offering a thoughtful and innovative experience of the present and future. Behind every piece is a student from Haidian Kaiwen who discovers beauty with their eyes and heart.
Recognizing the educational value and function of art is crucial for human development and refinement. Art allows people to empathize with others' emotions, fostering compassion and humanity. When we observe human nature through art, we bridge cultural gaps—not through intellect, but through the emotions conveyed by art, which help us understand others and their lives.
At Haidian Kaiwen School, we are responsible and honored to provide students with opportunities for divergent thinking through art courses. Art education encourages students to find multiple answers to a question and solve a problem in various ways, rather than seeking a single correct answer. Art education breaks the boundaries of “right” and “wrong,” similar to life where art often has no clear or correct answers, which is the value art pursues. Artistic thinking combines sensation, emotion, and reason, creating objects and completing tasks through representation, explaining experiences, and promoting insight. Art encourages students to view themselves in new ways, grasping a deeper understanding of things and discovering and renewing their imagination.
The teachers of the Haidian Kaiwen Art Group hope that by consciously arranging tasks, students can complete learning tasks while solving creative problems. During this process, students transition from passive observers to active participants and creators. They must continually think critically, analyze, judge, affirm, deny, and reaffirm, facing setbacks and failures until they complete their work. The finished pieces reflect the students' inner worlds, showcasing their unique existence, not replicating others' worlds, but presenting a unique self-world.
The human spirit, like other bodily organs, needs nurturing and care, and art education provides that care more than other subjects. Middle and primary school students are transitioning from childhood to adulthood and need guidance, attention, and discovery. Art education cultivates a higher level of civilization in learners.
Haidian Kaiwen School’s 12th-grade art graduates achieved outstanding results this application season, receiving offers from schools like Tufts University, Rhode Island School of Design, Goldsmiths, University of London, Parsons School of Design, School of Visual Arts, Pratt Institute, and University of the Arts London.
Haidian Kaiwen’s primary art courses follow national curriculum standards and reference the American NCCAS standards, designed to promote students’ creative thinking and interest in art. The curriculum integrates art history, art creation, and aesthetic thinking, providing maximum immersion in the art creation process. In middle school, general art courses include art history, basic art theory, material application, and technique enhancement, cultivating artistic interest and improving artistic accomplishment. High school focuses on creative and innovative thinking, including graphic design, fashion design, paper crafts, public art appreciation, and AP art courses. Through thematic project-based learning, students integrate scientific technology and social concerns into their artwork, enhancing their overall artistic literacy.