All visual art courses strive to nurture innovative thinking, creativity, problem solving and to improve skills in communication. Courses teach forms of artistic expression through the four disciplines of the visual arts:
Students taking visual art classes have an opportunity for production experiences with a variety of art media. For those wishing to concentrate in a particular art medium, level two and three classes are offered. Level two courses are more in depth and level three courses are designed for students wishing to develop a college portfolio and/or pursue a career in the visual arts. All art courses on this page earn credit toward completing the art credit graduation requirement.
Course: #T6094F, part 1, Tonka Online
Course: #T6096W, part 2, Tonka Online
Grade(s) offered: 10-12
Credits: 1.0 (year-long course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
*Online, complete part 1 before part 2.
Prerequisites: None
AP Art History allows students to examine major forms of artistic expression relevant to a variety of cultures in a wide variety of times periods.
Course: #AP602, S1
Course: #AP603, S2
Grade(s) offered: 11-12
Credits: 1.0 (year-long course)
This course fulfills the Arts requirement.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of two or more semesters of art; Drawing highly recommended
In AP Studio Art you create a portfolio to turn in for the AP Studio Art Exam. The portfolio will be Drawing, 2D or 3D.
Course: #6026
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None
Students will learn techniques for throwing on the wheel and hand building projects. Students will create functional artwork like mugs, vases, bowls, teapots, etc.
Course: #6028
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Ceramics I grade B- or better
Ceramics II students learn how to refine their wheel-throwing and hand building skills to create sets of mugs and bowls. Advanced ceramics techniques will be taught.
Course: #6030
Grade(s) offered: 10-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Ceramics II with a B- or better
This course may be repeated for further study with teacher approval
Ceramics III is for the highly motivated student who will complete personalized research to create a portfolio of work by the end of the course.
Course: #6034
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None
In Comics I, students will learn about combining visual images, text, and culture through cartoon character development and comic creation.
Course: #6036
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Comics I with a B- or better
In this class, students will explore more about cartoon and comic design as well as develop a personal style and aesthetic.
Course: #6038
Grade(s) offered: 10-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Comics II with a B- or better.
Course may be repeated with teacher approval.
Comics III is designed for the highly motivated student wishing to develop a college portfolio, submit work to competitions and exhibits, and/or pursue a career in the visual arts.
Course: #6002
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None
Students will be introduced to basics of darkroom photography through exploration of depth of field, stop action motion, landscape, portraiture and final portfolio.
Course: #6004
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Photo I with a B- or better
Students will continue exploration of darkroom photography through more focused skill and portfolio development.
Course: #6006
Grade(s) offered: 10-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Photo II with a B- or better
This course may be repeated for further study with teacher approval.
Students will continue exploration of darkroom photography through more focused skill, personal expression, and portfolio development.
Course: #6040
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None
Using Photoshop and Wacom drawing tablets as our media students will master several types of drawings. Students will gain confidence working in a digital platform.
Course: #6042
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Digital Drawing I grade B- or better
In Digital Drawing II, students will focus on more advanced digital drawing techniques, using a conceptual approach to their drawings utilizing the principles of design.
Course: #6044
Grade(s) offered: 10-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Digital Drawing II with a B- or better
This course may be repeated for further study with teacher approval.
Digital Drawing III is for highly motivated students who will create a portfolio of work. Students will be creating personalized digital drawings based on their own research and interests.
Course: #V500
Grade(s) offered: 10, 11, or 12
Credits: 1.0 Arts credit
This course fulfills the Arts credit requirement
This course is offered as part of the VANTAGE User Experience (UX) Design track. For details about taking Digital Interface Design through VANTAGE, visit the VANTAGE page of the Skipper Log.
Course: #6052
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None
This course will introduce students to digital photography and digital manipulation in Adobe Photoshop as a means for self-expression in art.
Course: #6054
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Digital Imaging I with a B- or better
Students will learn advanced Photography skills, techniques and theory to strengthen and expand knowledge. Students will become aware of their personal working methods and style.
Course: #T6052, Tonka Online
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None
This course will introduce students to digital photography and digital manipulation in Adobe Photoshop as a means for self-expression in art.
Course: #6020
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None
Drawing I will teach students basic drawing skills to create their own projects through different mediums and compositions. A good class to start creating a portfolio.
Course: #6022
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Drawing I grade B- or better
In Drawing II students will continue to grow, further honing their skills and techniques learned in Drawing I. Emphasis will be on research and composition.
Course: #6024
Grade(s) offered: 10-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Drawing II with a B- or better
Course may be repeated with teacher approval.
Drawing III is for highly motivated students looking to explore drawing deeper through personalized projects and to create a portfolio.
Course: #T6020, Tonka Online
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None
Tonka Online Drawing will teach students basic drawing skills to create their own projects through different mediums and compositions. Perfect for students needing flexibility.
Course: #6032
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None; Suggested Drawing I and II & Intro to Studio Art
Students will learn about graphic and product design using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Real-world application to learning emphasized.
Course: #V104
Grades Offered: 10, 11, or 12
Credits: 1.0 Arts credit
This course fulfills the Arts credit requirement
This course is offered as part of the VANTAGE Design + Marketing track. For details about taking Graphic & Product Design I & II through VANTAGE, visit the VANTAGE page of the Skipper Log.
HL Course: #IB602, S1 Year 1
HL Course: #IB603, S2 Year 1
HL Course: #IB604, S1 Year 2
HL Course: #IB605, S2 Year 2
Grade(s) offered: 11-12
Credits: 2 credit course, .5 (per semester)
This course completes 2 Arts credits
Prerequisites: None
Students learn to use several media to create a unique portfolio of work based on research while documenting their process.
SL Course: #IB600, S1
SL Course: #IB601, S2
Grade(s) offered: 11-12
Credits: 1 credit course, .5 (per semester)
This course completes 1 Arts credit
Prerequisites: None
Students learn to use several media to create a unique portfolio of work based on research while documenting their process.
Course: #6000
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Highly recommended as first art course
Intro to Studio Arts is an introduction to a variety of art experiences and includes experiences in drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography, and sculpture.
Course: #6014
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None
Jewelry 1 is an introduction to jewelry making. You will learn to cut, shape, solder, and polish metal to create rings and pendants.
Course: #6016
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Jewelry I with a B- or better
In Jewelry II you will build on the skills learned in Jewelry I. Stone settings and advanced soldering are some of the projects in class.
Course: #6018
Grade(s) offered: 10-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Jewelry II with a B- or better
This course may be repeated for further study with teacher approval.
Jewelry III is for highly motivated students looking to explore jewelry deeper through personalized projects and to create a portfolio.
Course: #6444
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None
This sculpture course will emphasize the artistic creation with the technical instruction using metal and other mediums.
Course: #6445
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Metal Sculpture I with a B- or better.
Course Description: In this class, students will build upon what they have learned in Metal Sculpture I. Students will work on more advanced projects and refine their artistic design in a visual way. Students will be working in steel and other materials. Emphasis will be on refining their techniques, research and aesthetics.
Course: #6008
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Drawing I strongly recommended
Students will be introduced to basics of painting through exploration of acrylics, watercolors, color theory, painting genres, and a variety of painting techniques.
Course: #6010
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Painting I with a B- or better
In Painting II more attention is placed on technical excellence and experimenting with different painting mediums. Students are assisted in developing more personalized paintings.
Course: #6012
Grade(s) offered: 10-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Painting II with a B- or better
This course may be repeated for further study with teacher approval.
Painting III is for the highly motivated art student looking to produce a portfolio of work based on personalized research.
Course: #6046
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None
Students will learn writing, editing, and producing video projects. Projects range from commercials to short films. Focus on Final Cut Pro X and camera shots.
Course: #6048
Grade(s) offered: 9-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Video Production I with a B- or better
Students will work on advanced video projects. Projects range from surreal to short films. Focus on Final Cut Pro X and finding individual style.
Course: #6050
Grade(s) offered: 10-12
Credits: .5 (semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Video Production II with a B- or better
This course may be repeated for further study with teacher approval.
Students will produce professional video projects. Focus on Final Cut Pro X and finding an individual style. Students will build a digital portfolio.
Course: #V600
Grade(s) offered: 11 or 12
Credits: 1.0 Arts credit
This course fulfills the Arts credit requirement
This course is offered as part of the VANTAGE Digital Journalism track. For details about taking Video Production through VANTAGE, visit the VANTAGE page of the Skipper Log.
VANTAGE is Minnetonka High School’s advanced professional studies program. Through experiential learning, VANTAGE offers a unique opportunity for students to apply their coursework in real-world settings.
Connect your love for art to a future career by taking a VANTAGE course:
Design + Marketing - Now for Gr. 10-12!
Learn interactive, graphic and product design skills and how they are applied in the commercial world. This year-long, two-credit track includes Graphic Design I & II (one art credit) and Marketing I & II (one elective business credit).
Digital Journalism
Take part in the rapidly changing world of broadcast journalism and emerging media, learning innovative ways to produce stories using video and sound. This year-long, two-credit track includes Video Production and Digital Journalism (one art credit) and Investigative Research (one English credit).
User Experience (UX) Design
Explore the convergence of computer science and design by creating mobile applications and web site designs for project partners. With a focus on user interface development and human-centered design, you will learn to specify solutions to drive new capabilities and important business improvements. This year-long, two-credit track includes AP Computer Science Principles (one elective computer science credit) and Digital Interface Design (one art credit).
Minnetonka Public Schools adheres to academic standards developed by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
![Ceramics I]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1639683804/minnetonka/enpphhdmsjcxd6x0igcp/c1.png","width":256}])
![Ceramics II]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1639683942/minnetonka/rd0gihgcwmghdikvuezt/c2.png","width":256}])
![Ceramics III]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1639683965/minnetonka/iunz3up4c3q5jxtsy7qa/c3.png","width":256}])
![Digital Interface Design (VANTAGE)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1638824470/minnetonka/ikpsdazhyabs2uscyb1r/user_experience_ux_design_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1638824470/minnetonka/ikpsdazhyabs2uscyb1r/user_experience_ux_design_1.png","width":400}])
![Graphic & Product Design I & II (VANTAGE)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1638564370/minnetonka/ao8disgxszmft94rul9n/vantage-6_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1638564370/minnetonka/ao8disgxszmft94rul9n/vantage-6_1.jpg","width":400}])
![Jewelry I]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1639683476/minnetonka/dyxub3mdpsaovsraxuyu/Jewelry1.png","width":256}])
![Jewelry II]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1639683774/minnetonka/txgoxnvjinx8ggnbebof/j2.png","width":256}])
![Jewelry III]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1640108186/minnetonka/qbljxxadixrihikx69ip/ringjewelry.png","width":256}])
![metal]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1582754951/minnetonka/nufsgtmka7og41ebf2xa/metal-sculpt.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1582754951/minnetonka/nufsgtmka7og41ebf2xa/metal-sculpt.png","width":400}])
![Metal Sculpture II - NEW FOR 2022-23!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1641314454/minnetonka/pajnnwvbcflaqzukvmfd/SkipperLogMetalSculptureII.png","width":256}])
![Video Production (VANTAGE)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1638564567/minnetonka/ixq6r9dexg5gygpgfutc/vantage-journalism.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1638564567/minnetonka/ixq6r9dexg5gygpgfutc/vantage-journalism.png","width":400}])