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 learn and experience art.
STORY
In 2008 Briscoe Elementary had NO art or art teacher. Briscoe Elementary teacher, Sarah Christal approached S.M.A.R.T. and asked if we would to teach an art class. S.M.A.R.T. said yes, but that classes would be conducted on our campus so students could enagage an authentic artistic experience. We began with one class and within 2 years were serving pre-k through 5th. The Briscoe S.M.A.R.T. relationship is unprecedented and powerful. Briscoe is the only public school in the State of Texas where children leave their campus during the school day to take art. 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 believe in strengthening 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.
MISSION
To support the IB goals of Briscoe Elementary, create a foundation for creative expression and emotional reflection through experiential learning.
PROGRAMMING
S.M.A.R.T. teaches Pre-K - Fifth grades weekly for 4 weeks from Sept - May. Each grade learns in our professional art studio setting.
Pre-K Tours With our pre-K'ers we introduce ourselves, take a tour, learn basic art terms and experience a quick studio exercise.
Kinder Clay In kinder we explore our sense of touch and motorskills by creating with clay
Kinder Yoga Partnering with our friends from Yoga Day we start exploring breath and body.
1st Grade Abstract Painting For this 4 week series, students learn the art of emotional painting. They attend lecture, 2 weeks of studio time, presentation day and studio visit with professional abstract painter
Sandy Whitby.
2nd Grade Urban. Suburban. Rural Studying the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, students construct and design a large scale San Antonio.
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.
4th Grade Assemblage Studying artist Louise Nevelson, students connect the final installation to the theme of culture and representation.
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.
2023 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
