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GIFTED ARTISTS. EVEN BETTER HUMAN BEINGS. It's more than what I achieve. It's who I become

VISUAL, PERFORMING, & COMMUNICATION ARTs

The Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts Department strives to provide a myriad of experiences and a comprehensive program for students in preschool through Grade 12. Drama, dance, music, visual arts, literary arts, forensics, and film courses enable students to reach their full potential and encourage them to experiment with and develop creativity.
 
In music, our performing groups, both vocal and instrumental, accomplish remarkable feats that place them among the finest programs in the state every year. Students taking classes within our department of theatre and dance participate in experiences that are often found at the college level. The visual, film and literary arts programs produce outstanding young artists, some of whom have works exhibited and recognized on the national level.
 
Students in our arts programs at Detroit Country Day School have flourished in the metro Detroit area and nationally under the guidance of our visionary arts faculty. Our faculty's enthusiasm to share their passion for the arts is truly infectious and inspiring for our students. This enthusiasm led to the creation of our high school conservatory program over 15 years ago. The goal of the conservatory program is to provide high-level arts curriculum to students interested in the arts as a profession to matriculate to reputable art, theatre, and music schools.
The image shows a display of colorful and textured clothing items, including a gray and yellow garment, against a backdrop of artwork and other decorative elements.
A group of young female dancers in white tutus and ballet slippers stand on a stage against a dark blue background.
A young boy with curly hair is intently playing the violin on stage, surrounded by other musicians in the background.
A group of dancers performing on a stage, with their arms raised in various expressive poses, against a vibrant purple background.
A group of young people, likely students, are gathered around a table in what appears to be a classroom or workshop setting, engaged in some kind of collaborative activity or project.
Two individuals, a woman and a man, are engaged in what appears to be a culinary activity in a kitchen setting. The woman is seated, while the man is standing, both focused on their respective tasks.
A young man in a white shirt and tie is intently focused on a task at a cluttered workstation, surrounded by various items and equipment.
Two young boys in school uniforms are sitting at a desk, engaged in an activity involving colorful art supplies and papers.

At DCDS, the arts cultivate curiosity, discipline, and creative confidence in students. They learn to express ideas, take risks, and make meaning, skills that extend far beyond the studio or stage..
~ KT Robinson, Upper School Visual Arts Department Chair

Sample Arts Courses

Communication Arts

Students can explore and challenge themselves in areas such as filmmaking, forensics, and debate.

PERFORMING ARTS

Multiple levels of courses in music (vocal, instrumental, theory and composition), theatre, and dance are offered.

VISUAL ARTS

Courses are available in painting, drawing, jewelry, metals, ceramics, photography, and computer graphics.

Curriculum Guide

Curriculum-Guide-Thumbnail

Art Facilities

Image of orchestra in Seligman PAC

The Seligman Family Performing Arts Center is a professionally designed auditorium, configured to provide optimum comfort, acoustics and viewing. The large stage is supported by a full orchestra pit, scene shop and catwalk network, with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, and a professional digital projection system for video and film presentations. Cherry wood paneling contributes to the warm and intimate environment. The Performing Arts Center has a seating capacity of 700 and is fully handicapped accessible. For those interested in renting the Seligman please visit this page.

 
Set in Eisenberg Theatre

This state-of-the-art space provides a unique venue for fine arts productions, transformational learning and student performance showcases. The theatre can be configured in a number of different ways, offering seating up to 180 people. The LED lighting system allows for seamless programming using today's technological advances.

 
A group of young musicians, each holding a cello, stand in a brightly lit classroom or studio setting with colorful walls and windows in the background.

The visual arts are alive in our state-of-art digital art space. This area emphasizes a technology-enabled, project-based, collaborative learning model paired with advanced fine and media arts instruction for upper school students. This area boasts six art studios: ceramics, photography, jewelry/metalworking painting/drawing, and a film recording and learning lab. The film studios are our newest addition. One studio is equipped with sets of a full kitchen, living room, bedroom, and Hollywood lighting. The other film studio is a learning lab space for lectures, demonstrations, and  hands-on training. The facility has earned awards from both the Learning By Design and American School & University magazines.

A colorful and lively classroom setting with students engaged in various activities, surrounded by vibrant artwork and decorations on the walls.
A cozy and well-furnished studio apartment with a living room, kitchen, and storage spaces, featuring a gray sofa, yellow accent pillows, and a mounted TV on the wall.
A cluttered and disorganized storage space filled with various items, including shelves, boxes, and other miscellaneous objects.
A spacious and modern office space with a variety of seating options, artwork displayed on the walls, and a patterned blue carpet covering the floor.