Arizona State Seal of Arts Proficiency

A final GPA of 3.0-4.0 in each qualifying arts/career and technical education (CTE) course.

4 minimum credit requirements in one of the following ways: 

a. 4 credits in one artistic discipline: (Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts)
OR 

b. 3 credits in one artistic discipline, and 1 qualifying creative industries CTE credit or separate artistic discipline.
OR 

c. 2 credits in one artistic discipline, and 2 credits in a qualifying creative industries CTE class or a separate artistic discipline.

80 hours of arts related extracurricular activities 

(All hours must be documented on a log and verified by signature by the adult supervising the activity. This must be further reviewed by a mentor teacher that is overseeing the student’s work toward the Seal).

What is a capstone project: 

A capstone project is a multifaceted project that explores a topic of interest, emerging from a student’s individualized program of study. It should represent new and original work and ideas, providing an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained during high school. 

The Capstone must include a public performance, showcase, presentation of original student work. The event should be documented by recording or photos to submit with your project. This performance should take place outside of the classroom environment, and typically at an event that is open to members of the public outside of school hours. (Exceptions to this may be necessary, but will need to be pre-approved by the Director of Fine Arts).

All Capstone Projects need to be pre-approved by your mentor teacher with the capstone form. Please reach out to your mentor teacher for this form. 

Capstone Examples:

Visual Arts 

• Student curated art exhibition in a gallery or coffee shop 

• Public Art Project (Mural, Mosaic, Installation, etc.) 

• Creating original visual art lesson plans and teaching an art class at a community space 

Music 

• Composing, annotating, and performing an original song 

• Producing a local music event in the community 

• Creating an original underscore for a film or performance inspired by themes of the work

Theatre 

• Writing and performing an original monologue or one act 

• Designing costumes, lighting, or set for a school or community production 

• Directing a student one act production or producing an event 

Dance 

• Choreographing a number for a musical or stage production 

• Researching a form of dance and presenting a community lecture 

• Creating an original dance film 

Media Arts

• Producing and premiering an original film

• Animating a short cartoon

What a Capstone is NOT:

• Solo during class or solo during school concert

• Acting in a show

• Displaying art in the classroom

• Students should submit all evidence of work in the form of a Google SlideShow. It is recommended that the slide show should be reviewed by a mentor teacher prior to sharing with the Fine Arts Director, Maureen Minnick, by given deadline.
   
• The SlideShow should be titled with the student’s First and Last Name, the initials of the High School they attend, followed by the Artistic Discipline they are pursuing. (Ex: Maureen Minnick, PVHS - Music).

• Each of the following Sections have multiple slides dedicated to each area, which fulfill and document all expectations. Forms which require a signature should be scanned and linked, as specified below.

• Students may use the SlideShow Template, if they prefer. This can be done by reaching out to the students mentor. However, it is recommended that they personalize it, and understand that what’s suggested is the minimum.

• A rubric will be utilized to determine eligibility for the Seal. Students must earn at minimum of 10 points out of 16 possible points on the rubric. 

To read more about the Arizona Department of Education Seal of Arts Proficiency, please see the following ADE resources:

ADE State Seal of Arts Proficiency 

ADE Standards and Practices of the Seal