Performing Arts Department

The Performing Arts Department at Milken awakens, nurtures, develops, and celebrates the musical, physical, and dramatic artistic expression in each student. Within an atmosphere of the ethical and spiritual values of Judaism, students create honest and meaningful work, while pushing the limits of their own physical, mental, and emotional capabilities through music, dance, acting, and technical theatre. The School is also dedicated to sharing our expressions of art for various community, social and charitable events.

• To clearly and accurately express non-verbal communication through movement, musical performance, acting or designing through an artistic medium. (Standard 1)
• To consistently accomplish artistic goals as determined by directors, teachers and peers. (Standard 2)
• To develop informed, creative, insightful dialogue when confronted with any artistic expression, which maintains an artistically respectful tone. (Standard 3)
• To challenge ones self and peers to discuss and argue artistic thoughts and interpretations in light of historical, religious and secular research and knowledge. (Standard 4)
• To demonstrate an intrinsically motivate and passionately involved expression of art. (Standard 5)

Visual Arts Department

The Visual Arts Department nurtures and cultivates the unique qualities of each student in order for them to discover their creative abilities. Students are exposed to a new way of artistic thinking through a visual world of expression and interpretation. Students learn visual communications skills in an inspiring environment under the guidance of teachers and artists. A wide variety of media are explored while learning self discipline, critical thinking, and decision making while analyzing multiple solutions to visual problems. Art history, culture, and Judaic imagery are woven into the curriculum. The students’ perception of the world is challenged and enriched as they explore the dimensions of their identity through the creative art process.

The students showcase their work in venues ranging from individual solo shows to school wide exhibitions. Skirball Culturall Center, universities, and galleries in the community offer diverse experiences for the more experienced artist. In addition to fostering their skills as artists, the students participate in community service art related projects serving local as well as global interests. Jewish art and symbols are woven into the curriculum while challenging the student to analyze multiple solutions to visual problems. Through the students' self perception and how they view the world, they learn to interpret the different dimensions of their Jewish identity in their art.