How Students Can Explore Their Creative Sides At BlueSky 

At BlueSky, we believe that creative expression is an important part of a well-rounded education. Through our electives and extracurriculars in art, music, and writing, students can explore their passions, hone their talents, and develop their creative skills. Let’s take a closer look into the creative courses we offer at BlueSky as well as some student work!

Art Courses: Exploring Visual Creativity

Do you love to draw or paint? Maybe graphic design is more your style, or perhaps you’re fascinated by the history of art or how it can be used as a tool for self-care and wellness. Whatever your passion for visual art may be, BlueSky offers courses to help you explore it. Here are some of the options we provide:

• Art Appreciation: BlueSky’s Art Appreciation course guides students through the fascinating world of visual arts. From mastering the elements and principles of art to exploring professional and historical masterpieces, students sharpen their observational skills and expand their artistic vocabulary.
• Art & Wellness: Art & Wellness combines creativity with self-care, diving into color psychology, art therapy, and the history of art as a tool for emotional health. Students explore how art intersects with careers like education, marketing, and health sciences while learning to express themselves through artistic practices.
• Digital Design: Digital Design introduces students to the power of visual communication through projects that teach type, image, form, and color. By the end of the semester, you’ll have creative problem-solving skills and a baseline understanding of design concepts. Also, this course counts as an articulated college credit!

Music Courses: Finding Your Rhythm

Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just starting, BlueSky’s music classes offer a space to explore the world of music. The curriculum not only emphasizes technical skills, like songwriting and music production, but also shows students the vast array of musical genres and styles around the world. Here’s a few courses from the music curriculum:

• Introduction to Guitar: This one-semester course introduces students to guitar playing through weekly live sessions, individual practice, written assignments, and recordings. Students will learn to play melodies and chords, read guitar tabs, sheet music, and chord symbols. Intro to guitar requires 5 days of practice outside class, an acoustic/electric guitar, a pick, a webcam, and headphones.
• Music Appreciation: This one-semester course explores musical elements, from reading and writing music to creating your own. Study tempo, dynamics, and articulation, analyze music, and learn about instruments, European music history, and American music. Plan a composer’s birthday party, create a pop music mixtape with liner notes, and reflect on your music taste. Whether you’re into Beethoven or Beyoncé, this course has something for everyone.
• Songwriting and Music Production: If you’ve ever dreamed of writing your own song, this is your chance. Songwriting and Music Production takes you through the basics of music theory, lyrics, and notation—no experience needed! By the end of the class, you’ll have created a song that reflects your unique style and personality. No prior musical experience is required, though previous music classes may help.
• World Music: World Music takes students on a cultural journey, exploring music history and current genres from over 25 countries. Whether it’s traditional drumming from Africa or contemporary pop from Asia, you’ll discover how music connects people across the globe.

Writing Courses: Crafting Stories and Ideas

Being a competent writer is one of the most useful skills to have in the professional world. At BlueSky we know that this doesn’t just mean academic writing, expanding your horizons to creative mediums like poetry and short fiction only adds to your writing skills. And on top of formal courses, students can also participate in our SkyWriting program, an online literary platform that showcases BlueSky student writers.

• Creative Writing: Bring your stories to life with BlueSky’s creative writing course. From poetry to short fiction, students explore a range of genres, study the craft of writing, and create a personal portfolio of original works. It’s a class designed to inspire budding writers and help them find their voice.
• Independent Language Arts Project: For students with big ideas and a passion for writing, this project-based course is a great creative outlet. You’ll design your own writing or literature project, work closely with your teacher, and publish your final piece in BlueSky’s Literary Arts Journal (SkyWriting). Perfect for aspiring authors or avid readers looking to build their skills. This course is designed for students serious about writing or literature who may pursue a career in publishing or further study.
• SkyWriting: Each semester, creative writing students cultivate their skills as writers, as storytellers, and poets. Students weave narratives and bring their words and worlds into reality which they share with you in this literary journal. Check out the Poems For Earth Day 2024 edition!

Why Creative Expression Matters

At BlueSky, we understand that creativity enhances more than just artistic ability. It builds confidence, improves problem-solving skills, and provides an emotional outlet that students can call-on the rest of their lives. By integrating art, music, and writing into our curriculum, we give students the tools to:

• Express themselves authentically.
• Explore their interests and discover new passions.
• Develop skills that are valuable in both academic and professional settings.

Get Involved

If you’re a student passionate about art, no matter the medium, consider enrolling at BlueSky, where you can earn credits for the creative work you love doing outside the classroom. Like all BlueSky courses, you can expect a customized workload, pace, and schedule designed to fit your needs and goals.

Discover why BlueSky, Minnesota’s longest-standing online school, has become the choice for many students seeking ways to express their creative sides. Enroll today or contact us with any questions!