Arts & Technology
In order to thrive in the 21st century, students need creative thinking and technology skills. At BART, we weave arts and technology throughout our curriculum to develop multimedia communication and presentation skills, and we provide all students opportunities to explore their creative strengths in arts and technology elective courses.
Arts and Technology Elective Courses
Students participate in 14-week elective courses. Middle school students rotate through courses in music, visual arts and technology, where they learn the fundamentals of music composition, design and multimedia communications. High school students choose from a variety of arts and technology courses each trimester, taught by both BART’s faculty and visiting artists. The high school electives include digital media, performing arts and graphic design. The high school electives include digital media, performing arts, graphic design, and AP Studio Art (Drawing and 2-D Design). Independent study classes are also offered.
Artists-in-Residence
In addition to the visiting artists who teach trimester-long courses in the high school, BART teachers collaborate with resident artists to plan arts-integrated, academic lessons. Resident artists may be on campus for a day, a week, or more. The visiting artist programs are funded entirely through by school.
Technology-Enabled Classrooms
Students learn best when they are actively engaged in their classroom. BART students use laptops, electronic whiteboards, LCD projectors and student response systems daily to learn and demonstrate what they know. The school hosts a wireless computing environment with a 1.5:1 student to computer ratio, including two 24-seat digital media labs. Click here for a copy of our Technology Plan.
Student Performances and Arts Showcases
Each elective course culminates in a showcase of student work – hosted either at BART or at gallery space in North Adams. Students can participate in the middle school or high school chorus, the fall play or spring musical. After-school clubs, such as bucket drumming, often find opportunities to perform in the community. Students also have the opportunity to exhibit their work throughout Berkshire County and in juried shows. See our gallery.
