Fine Arts
The Stevenson High School Fine Arts Division provides much more than a classroom experience for our students and is comprised of the departments of Dance, Music, Odyssey, Theatre, and Visual Arts. Each department offers studio, non-performing, and performing settings and maintains a well-balanced education that focuses equally on the process of learning as well as the product of our efforts. We believe it is vital that we provide experiences to students that will instill a life-long love for, appreciation of, and involvement in the arts. As such, each department provides extensive co-curricular and extra-curricular experiences to supplement our curricular offerings exposing students to an amazing number of opportunities to be involved in exhibits, concerts, recitals and other collaborate performance opportunities.
We believe that the study of fine art is important to everyone at both the individual and societal levels. Students in the Fine Arts experience the actual application of knowledge and skills on a daily basis with culminating work often approaching or achieving professional levels.
As such, Stevenson High School Fine Arts students develop amazing work ethic, along with a high level of proficiency and sophistication of work.~ Such quality of work often results in scholarships and prestigious awards.~ Stevenson High School offers a rigorous fine arts curriculum that rivals many university programs in its scope. It challenges students to think creatively, encourages risk taking and enables students to apply their problem-solving skills beyond the classroom.
Ultimately, we take great pride that within the Fine Arts Division, we don't simply read or learn about our subjects; we dance, sing, play, act, paint, and sculpt. And, we openly share our work with our peers and our community.
Honors and Awards of the Division
The Fine Arts Division at Stevenson High School has a long tradition of excellence and has been recognized for its high standards and amazing accomplishments at a regional, state, and national level. The division is regarded as one of the most exemplary high school arts programs in the country by some of the most prominent colleges, universities, and professional organizations. ~
In 1988 the visual arts program was recognized by the Illinois Art Education Association as having the "Best Visual Arts Program in Illinois".
In 1991 the Fine Arts Division was recognized nationally as part of the Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence.
In 1991 Stevenson High School was listed in Excellence in Arts Awards as one of the top 25 Fine Arts Divisions in the country.
In 1998 the Stevenson Fine Arts Division was amongst the top eight in the nation and received the Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education.
In 2006 the Stevenson Music Department was selected by the Music Educators National Conference as one of the twelve Model Music Programs in the country.
In 2009 the Music Faculty was recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education with an award of Merit for their model work as a collaborative team.
In 2010 Stevenson was one of five schools in the country to receive the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts National Schools of Distinction in Arts Education Award.
In 2011 and 2010, Stevenson was honored as a Grammy Signature Schools semifinalist for its commitment to music education.
In 2012, the Stevenson Band, Choir and Orchestra finished third in the Illinois High School Association Class AA Music Sweepstakes Contest.
Administrative Faculty
•
Jon Grice – Fine Arts Director (jgrice@d125.org) 847-415-4751
•
Julie Hill - Director's Administrative Assistant (jhill@d125.org) 847-415-4750
Amazing Facilities
The students and staff at Stevenson High School are extremely fortunate to have the unyielding support of the school and community in creating and providing state of the art facilities for its students, especially as it pertains to Fine Arts.
Our dance department thrives with our two dance studios a buzz with dancers all day long as well as into the night as our numerous dance companies practice.
The visual arts department has seven labs with well-equipped spaces dedicated to photography, ceramics and sculpture, jewelry and metalwork, computer art, and drawing.
We are proud of our unique performing arts center, renowned for its turntable design allowing great versatility in its ability to transform from a 1,200-seat concert hall to three separate spaces which include a 250-seat recital hall, a 250-seat little theatre and a main stage of nearly 700.
In addition, we are fortunate to have a 400-seat auditorium and a 150-seat studio theatre / flexible "black box" space situated immediately adjacent to dedicated band, choir and orchestra rehearsal spaces. Faculty offices, practice studios, a MIDI/computer lab as well as recording space are housed in this newly remodeled music wing.
LATEST NEWS