E D U C A T I O N
Briscoe Elementary S.M.A.R.T Art Partnership
The only public school in the State of Texas where children leave their
campus during the day to experience an immersive art program.
STORY
In 2008 Briscoe Elementary had no art curriculum and asked S.M.A.R.T. to teach an art class. Yes, we said, but classes would be conducted on our campus so students could engage an authentic artistic experience. Within 2 years we were serving pre-k through 5th. In 2017 Briscoe was certified as an International Baccalaureate World School focused on world music and fine arts. The work continues.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Briscoe S.M.A.R.T. art partnership is the only one of its kind in the San Antonio Independent School District. We strengthen emotional health through experiential learning. That means we give our students hands on, sensory experiences that engage emotion and encourage reflection and risk-taking. S.M.A.R.T.S.'s TEKS and IB aligned art programming directly supports Briscoe Elementary's IB World School curriculum.
PROGRAMMING
Vitamin C Philosophy
We believe every student deserves a mindful education that emphasizes and strengthens emotional health and wellness leading to better decision making. We developed a methodology that supports this belief and we call it the Vitamin Cs. Learn more!
Curiosity Tours Pre-K It all starts here! Pre-K meets the S.M.A.R.T. campus where they begin to take ownership of the building, understand this is THEIR space and that they'll be with us for the next 7 years! Watch You Tube video here.
Curiosity The Clay Way: In kinder we cultivate curiosity through our sense of touch in the world of clay. Watch our You Tube vidoe here.
Calm is the Body: Kinder, 1st, 2nd Partnering with our friends from Yoga Day we explore breath and body on the Briscoe campus and reinforce the process on S.M.A.R.T'S campus.
Creativity as Expression: For this 4 week series, 1st grade students experience the art of emotional expression through abstract painting. It's an amazing, energetic, beautiful experience! YouTube Video here.
Calm is Imagination: Studying the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, students construct and design a large scale San Antonio. Watch our You Tube video here.
Learning how to touch the brain. Gentle taps and no dragging the fingers! :)
Little mouse brain.
Lecture time!
Learning how to touch the brain. Gentle taps and no dragging the fingers! :)
Clarity about our brains: 3rd Grade Art is Neuroscience Studying optical Illusion art and artist Bridget Riley, students engage the senses and take a deep dive into the brain and neuroscience with our partners from UTSA Dept of Neurology. Watch our You Tube video here.
Compassion is Connection. 4th Grade Assemblage Studying artist Louise Nevelson, students connect the final installation to the theme of culture and representation. Watch our You Tube video here.
Chiharu Shiota lecture.
Composing and creating their pieces.
Final installation.
Chiharu Shiota lecture.
Confidence is Reimagining. 5th Grade Contemporary Art Conceptually S.M.A.R.T. invites the students to engage with their senses, resulting in a collaborative piece based on the artist of their choice. Here we are studying Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota. Watch our You Tube video here.
DATA
In 2023 we surveyed 33 former S.M.A.R.T. students from Harris Middle School and Burbank Highschool. Scroll through to see the results.
P A R T N E R S
