Visual Arts Classroom Recommendation

Visual Arts Classroom Recommendation Submitted by: Mary Miller

Classroom/Studio:

Purpose: To provide activity-based visual arts study involving both small and large works of art. Types of Instruction/Activities: Discussions, demonstrations, individual and group activities, computer use, display, and power-point, data projection camera and slide projection. Activities may include, but are not limited to, drawing, collage, painting, ceramics, the making of 3-D work, print making, fibers, digital photography, scanning of images, creation of graphic designs in color, etc. Space Requirements:  One art room per 500 students enrolled  A minimum of 55 square feet of work space per student, excluding storage. ( 30 students x 55’ = 1650 sq. ft. floor space)  A minimum of 400 square feet of storage space inside, or attached to, the classroom in mixture of lockable cabinets and shelving units.  Separate, but connected, 120 square foot Kiln room with kiln, proper ventilation and electrical needs, drying racks for clay projects, storage racks, extruder, slab roller and storage cupboards for clay and clay tools.  Separate, but connected with glass window to classroom, teacher library that includes work table and chairs, counter top height table or counter surface suitable for a 36” paper cutter, one wall of shelves floor to ceiling for books, DVD’s, etc. Special needs:  200 storage slots/drawers minimum size of 14” x 20” within classroom  100 half lockers right outside classroom  Teacher station in classroom: including ergonomically designed computer desk and chair, computer, scanner, color laser printer, projection screen, Data projector, including TV and computer connection with projection camera, and raised work/demonstration table/surface that is approximately at elbow height, and built in file cabinets and book shelves around computer location.  Min. of 6 student computer stations including color printers, scanners, and multi-media equipment located within the classroom on one of interior walls near teacher station. Technology requests and software to be discussed.  Two large, acid resistant multi sided sinks with sediment traps and with soap and towel dispensers. Sinks should be height-appropriate and should have hot and cold supply with mixing faucets.  Floor drains in areas where water or other liquids might be spilled.  Ground floor location with wide entry to facilitate delivery of materials and supplies, and to provide an outdoor venue for instruction and practice, preferably a covered terrace with secure electrical outlets.  A North-facing wall with large windows and skylights to provide the most desirable lighting. General lighting should include both fluorescent and incandescent fixtures for accurate color work and that is positioned to reduce shadows in all parts of the room.  Minimum ceiling height of 10’.  Multiple power outlets on perimeter walls and above counters as well as a minimum of six drop-down units from ceiling above student table areas.  Powered ventilation to exhaust fumes and promote drying of art work.  Vented box or area for airbrushing and for mixing unpleasant fumes materials.  Minimum of one wall with display capability from floor to ceiling, covered with a porous material that can accommodate hanging devices such as pins, staples or tacks.  One display case in classroom such as shelves and cases for 2 and 3-D work like sculpture and ceramics. (Should be well lighted and equipped with multiple lighting plug-in tracks with movable lighting fixtures and shelves.) I would hope that at least six display cases for artwork only like this will be throughout the school building in main hallways and office area.  Ceiling tracks along the walls to hang 3-D work such as mobiles, etc.  Furniture should consist of a minimum of 15 flat sturdy tables (2’ x 4’) with durable tops and chairs that allow for frequent re-configuring and 4 tables (4’ x 4’)  Minimum of 3 drying racks of various sizes to accommodate up to 200 students works at a time.  Lockable flat storage to accommodate large art pieces or large sized specialty papers including mat board, foam core, illustration board, poster board, watercolor paper, etc.  Lockable metal storage cabinet suitable for flammable and combustible materials.  Space for six easels, 3 potter’s wheels stations, within classroom.  Blinds or shades for controlling natural light for multi-media productions/presentations.  One white board area  1 telephone, 1 clock  Floor finish: same as at cafeteria in Cedar Springs Middle School (for sound and ease of clean up and durability)  Ceiling should be acoustical fiberglass panels  More???