At Urangan State High School, The Arts ignite creativity, self-expression, and innovation. Through Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music, and Media Arts, students develop skills in communication, collaboration, and critical thinking that serve them well beyond the classroom. We encourage all students to be curious, creative and connected, with opportunities to showcase their talents through performances, exhibitions, and community events.

Years 7 & 8 – Exploring Creative Foundations

In their first two years, students take part in a rotation of Arts subjects to experience a broad range of creative fields. They experiment with:

• Visual Arts: Drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media techniques.
• Drama: Improvisation, role play, and short performances that build confidence and teamwork.
• Dance: Movement, rhythm, and basic choreography to express ideas physically.
• Music: Instrumental and vocal skills, basic composition, and ensemble performance.
• Media Arts: Introduction to digital photography, video editing, and storytelling.

This early exploration allows students to discover their interests and develop foundational skills across multiple disciplines.

Years 9 & 10 – Developing Skills and Personal Style

As students move into the middle years, they select Arts subjects that align with their strengths and passions. With more time dedicated to each field, students refine their techniques and begin building a personal style:

• Visual Arts: More complex artmaking processes, art history, and creating works for display.
• Drama: Script work, performance development, stagecraft, and audience awareness.
• Dance: Choreography, group performances, and studying diverse dance styles.
• Music: Expanding instrumental or vocal expertise, composing original pieces, and performing as soloists or in ensembles.
• Media Arts: Advanced digital editing, film production, sound, and multimedia storytelling.

Students also gain experience presenting their work to audiences and participating in school arts showcases, exhibitions, and performances.

Years 11 & 12 – Pathways to the Creative Industries

Senior students can choose from a range of General and Applied Arts subjects designed to prepare them for tertiary education or careers in creative fields. Current offerings include:

• General Visual Art – in-depth study of contemporary and traditional art practices, portfolio development, and critical analysis.
• General Drama – performance, playbuilding, and stagecraft, with opportunities to present major productions.
• General Music – performance, composition, and analysis across diverse musical styles.
• Applied Dance – practical dance skills, choreography, and public performance opportunities.
• Applied Visual Arts in Practice – real-world artmaking and exhibition experiences.
• Applied Media Arts in Practice – practical media production including film, sound, and digital content.

Senior Arts subjects emphasise advanced technical skill, creativity, and critical reflection. Students build a professional portfolio of performances, artworks, and projects, often collaborating with the community and participating in competitions and exhibitions. These experiences provide a strong foundation for further study or employment in the creative industries.