The Arts influence the way we express and communicate to others our emotions, perceptions and understanding of the world. At the Lycée Français, the Arts aim to give each student an artistic and cultural education that is essential to their development.
Artistic education, a vital part of both the French and International baccalaureate curricula, along with the development of cultural and technical knowledge it implies, help students hone their social and civic skills while strengthening their sense of initiative and independence.
Throughout their years at the Lycée, students experience various artistic areas, including visual arts, music, dance and theater. From pre-school through twelfth grade, they discover the history of art and take part in both individual and group artistic projects, which are then exhibited at various different shows and exhibitions. Students also have the opportunity to be in contact with artists of international renown as part of the Artist in residence program offered by the Lycée.
For all the latest news on the artistic events taking place at the Lycée, click here.
Coordination of the Arts
Do you have an idea, a request for information or details on artistic programs or initiatives at the Lycée?
You can contact our Arts Coordinator, Claire Lenz : clenz@lyceechicago.org.
Visual arts
Visual arts are taught in the primary school and in the middle school in French by Anne Seigenthaler. An art option is also offered to all students starting in tenth grade.
For more information, click here.
Music
Music is taught in French, from Pre-K to 9th grade.
Theater
Theater classes are taught in English. The subject is mandatory in 7th grade and optional from 8th grade onwards.
Dance
In order to provide students with the best possible conditions for learning about artistic dance, the Lycée has developed a partnership with Hubbard Street Dance, based in Chicago.
Dance is taught in English to 6th grade students by instructors from this prestigious company.
After-school dance classes are also offered to our youngest students by the company Lin Shook & Perceptual Motion.
History of the Arts
In accordance with the directives given by the French Ministry for national education, the teaching of history of the arts at the Lycée Français de Chicago includes all students and all art forms, with the contribution of all teachers.
Its aim is to give all students a shared awareness that they are part of the history of the cultures and civilizations of the world. This history of the world finds it place in the works of art created throughout humanity. The purpose of teaching history of the arts is to reveal the meaning, beauty, diversity and universality.
Artist in residence
An internationally-renowned artist is regularly invited to develop a project in partnership with the teachers and students at the lycée. Christian Boltanski, a French artist, Ery Camara, a Senegalese artist based in Mexico and the association “Périphériques architectes” are just some examples. Each time, the results of these creative collaborations were shared with the Chicago community at public exhibitions, for example at the Terra Museum of American Art, the Alliance Française and the Chicago Historical Society.
Soirée des Arts
The Soirée des Arts is the school’s main annual event and is held each spring. This wonderful evening includes dinner, dancing, a show and auctions of items donated by individuals as well as national and international companies.
The Soirée also allows the lycée to showcase the many artistic talents of its students. From pre-school to the ninth grade, each class is invited to create a collective work of art on the theme of the Soirée. These works are then exhibited and sold at the auction during the Soirée.
In 2011-2012, the Soirée theme was Film Noir.
In order to initiate the students on this topic, all middle and high schoolers attended an introductory lecture on film noir. The Lycée then organized a “Soirée du Film Noir” in the auditorium for all students from sixth to twelfth grade.