The Halton District School Board offers a rich variety of arts programming designed to enhance and motivate the artistry and imagination of Kindergarten to Grade 12 students. These programs include visual arts, music, drama and dance. The Board implements the Ontario Ministry of Education’s elementary and secondary arts curriculum.
Students will have opportunities to think and feel as they explore, problem solve, express, interpret, and evaluate the process and the results of the arts experiences they are engaged. The arts provide a natural vehicle through which students can explore and express themselves, as well as discover and interpret the world around them.
The events and initiatives the Board undertakes to support the arts in Halton include:
Band Extravaganza (held late March): Over two days hundreds of Grade 7 and 8 students participate in workshops to learn how to properly use various instruments, and also to take part in a massed band.
Halton Music Showcase (early April): Students begin rehearsals in February in preparation for this annual spring concert. Performances include stage bands, concert bands, jazz groups and choirs. A highlight of the evening features a performance by a large student choir.
Creating a Scene (November): This event is held in the evening and features many drama and dance performances from elementary and secondary students.
International Dance Day (late April): Grades 6-12 students participate in dance workshops led by teachers and professional dancers including ballroom, hip hop, lyrical and musical theatre.
Secondary Art Show (mid-May): Numerous pieces of student artwork are on display for a week. Created by Grade 9-12 students, the works of art incorporate painting, sketching, sculpture, photography, and mixed media.
Elementary Art Show (early May): The weeklong event showcases the artistic flare of Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 students. The mediums include paintings, sculptures, paper maché, crayons, pastels, ink, fabric, 2D and 3D pieces.
Front of Class staff art show (April-May): Several-weeks long art exhibit showcasing artwork of current and retired Halton public board teachers.
The Halton District School Board offers a
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program in Arts and Culture. It gives students an opportunity to specialize, gain qualifications, and plan a career pathway in various areas of the Arts and Culture sector while still in high school. The SHSM program has a number of required components designed to help students pursue post-secondary opportunities.