All students participate in a program in which fine arts and humanities are infused throughout the curriculum. Administrators, teachers, and students work together to create an environment in which learning is interdisciplinary and connections are made between the classroom and the real world.
In order to develop students' understanding of and appreciation for arts and humanities, staff are developing a program where students research and study signature themes in history, culture, and criticism. Core academic teachers make connections to arts and humanities concepts and issues. Arts teachers incorporate history, culture, literature, writing, and criticism into their classes. Modern computer labs allow students access to contemporary technologies to create and record their products.
Enrichment activities include professionals-in-residence which encompass guest poets, writers, critics, and historians. Activities also include visiting performers, artists, producers, and technicians. These professionals interact with students by presenting readings, lectures, and performances in their areas of expertise. Professionals work in conjunction with classroom teachers to develop lessons and activities that relate to the curriculum and to real-world situations. They also give firsthand accounts of career opportunities and the steps necessary to taking those career paths.
The Blake High School facility was designed to accommodate an Arts and Humanities Signature Program. Specialty areas include a state-of-the-art 900 seat auditorium, a dance studio, a black box theater, an indoor amphitheater, an interdisciplinary writing computer lab, a graphic/animation computer lab, and a music technology computer lab. These resources allow students to enhance their high school education experiences through access to spaces and equipment not found at other MCPS high schools.
The Blake staff has developed affiliations with theaters, art centers, colleges and universities, and businesses which use or serve arts and humanities. Some of these institutions include the National Gallery of Art, American Film Institute, Olney Theater Center for the Arts, Writer's Center, Maryland College of Art and Design, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, University of Maryland, and Roundhouse Theater. Through these institutions and others, a variety of opportunities are available to students: mentoring programs, internships, exchange programs, museum studies, and career development in organizations and businesses.
Projects and Activities Unique to the Arts and Humanities Signature:
Humanities Symposia
Fine Arts Seminar
Special Interest Seminars
Professionals-in-Residence
Music Technology and Graphic/Animation Labs
Arts and Humanities Internships
Arts and Humanities Professional Partnerships
