Visual & Performing Arts

What real-world skills do your students learn?

Drama — Students learn how to become comfortable performing in public. Speaking in front of people is among the top five fears of many Americans, and the drama classes — as well as the after-school programs — help students learn how to cope with the “fight or flight” syndrome and prepare them to relax in public speaking situations.

Dance — Dance teaches proper body alignment and self-awareness. By working on body alignment, flexibility and strength, you can decrease the severity of — or totally avoid — an injury. Since it is a performance class, it also helps students learn to control performance anxiety.

Music— An education in music, whether it is in instrumental performance, vocal, or music theory, helps you find rhythm in all aspects of life. In addition to motor skills, creativity, and coordination, musicians learn the importance of teamwork and collaboration to make a performance seamless.

Visual Arts — Foley artists will learn the basic design concept-and-thinking cycle and use it to influence their work in all mediums. Students are challenged with projects from authentic scenarios in current creative fields. Artists are responsible for the creation, packaging, and promotion of every commercial item in the world, from sneakers and candy bars to cars and skyscrapers, not to mention the ever-expanding world of online media. Here at BFC, we open students’ minds to the world of possibilities that awaits them and give them the foundation of skills that can prepare them to take the next step.

What careers can they get?

Learning to be more comfortable speaking and performing in public will help in any career. Our students can go on to explore endless job paths in fields such as illustration, product design, photography, advertising, film, animation, fashion design, web development, communication and broadcast media, music theory, interior design, architecture, and fine arts.

What fun things can students take part in?

Drama and Dance — Students are able to be involved in the many productions we do on any level that interests them. There are several opportunities to perform and be part of a performance.

Music — Students can take part in various performance opportunities both within and outside the school community. In addition to showcasing their talents for athletic events and the Christmas and Spring concerts, our musicians also perform for community events like the BFC Open House and Cookie Walk and Craft Show.

Visual Arts — Our Ventures love to enter movies into our annual student film festival. We also explore many different mediums, like screen printing and makeup design in our Art Club and National Art Society meetings. Additionally, students will have several chances to see art in action through various field trips to places like the Detroit Institute of Arts, College for Creative Studies, Motion Picture Institute, and more.

What makes the Performing and Visual Arts Department at Foley unique?

Drama and Dance — We offer different levels of drama as part of the curriculum. We also have four different performance opportunities for working on plays. We offer dance as part of the curriculum, and as an after-school program with performance opportunities.

Music — Led by a Doctor of Musical Arts, students can explore every facet of their vocal and instrumental range, as well as advanced learning in Music Theory and more. BFC musicians and vocalists are thoroughly integrated into school life, including athletics and Masses.

Visual Arts — Foley Fine Arts is unique because we offer a truly varied art curriculum, with 14 different visual arts courses that range from focusing on traditional mediums like drawing, ceramics, and painting, to exploring digital software and conceptual design. Furthermore, we provide an environment that is flexible enough to welcome a range of outcomes and ideas, while simultaneously imparting the rigor necessary for students to think critically and produce award-winning and competitive art.