Fine Arts
Supervisor of Visual & Performing Arts
Whitney Johnson
(540) 853-1797 | wbjohnson@rcps.info
Curriculum is led by:
Dr. Wendy Durham
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Targeted School Improvement
(540) 853-1652 | wdurham@rcps.info
Curriculum reports to:
Roanoke City Public Schools offers a robust fine arts program to allow students to explore!
Studies show that students who participate in the arts tend to have better grades, stronger attendance, and a more enjoyable overall school experience. A 2021 study of over 112,000 public school students, the largest of its kind to date, showed that “highly engaged instrumental music students were, on average, academically more than one year ahead of their peers.” Students participating in the arts also achieved higher test scores.
Plus, it’s fun!
RCPS offers programs in dance and theater, music, and visual arts. Please contact your school's counselor if you are interested in learning more.
Dance & Theater
Comprehensive high school dance and theater programs are offered for grades 9-12. After-school middle school dance programs are taught by Southwest Virginia Ballet. Students may enjoy participating in theater performances, as well as in-school residencies with Mill Mountain Theatre and Virginia Children’s Theatre.
An annual Summer Stock Academy is also offered by RCPS as part of Staying Safe by Staying Connected programming.
Music
Students can participate in band, choir, and orchestra programs in all secondary schools, grades 6-12. Expanded offerings in high school include guitar, music theory, electronic music, and piano lab. Students may also be able to participate in high school honor classes, all city band, choir, and orchestra, and collaborative partnerships with Save the Music Foundation, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, and the Jefferson Center.
Roanoke has been annually been named among the Best Communities for Music Education since 2013 by the NAMM Foundation
Visual Arts
Visual arts programs are offered at all secondary schools, grades 6-12. Expanded offerings at the high school level include art I-IV, photography, digital photography, and ceramics. Students may be able to participate in the Gifted Visual Arts Program, partnerships with the Taubman Museum of Art, and with many collaborators. The PTA Reflections Visual Arts Contest is also a fun city-wide competition with winners at all levels.