High School Art Project Ideas


Get inspired for the school year with high school art project ideas. Check out how I scaffold courses, start the first day, and more.

Check out high school art project ideas. I have a special place in my heart for high school art because I taught it for so long. I love seeing students fall in love with art over the course of Introduction to Art and find their own personal style in advanced-level classes. While it’s still important to scaffold techniques, building on the skills they have gained in previous years, I think allowing students to express themselves and explore their creativity is the top priority.

Because of that, I put focus on open-ended subject matter in projects to allow students to make it their own. If you can find a way to let students tailor projects to their interests, they will be much more invested in what they are working on.

Recent High School Art Projects

High School Art Project Ideas-First Day of School

The first day of school in high school involves a number of administrative tasks. From going over the syllabus to class rules to giving first homework assignments, it’s hard to get anything done beyond the basics. Because of that I often focus on completing small tasks on day one. Plus, teenagers have a hard adjustment those first few days once again waking up early, you don’t want to give them too much too quick.

I opt not to assign seats in my high school classes. However, if there are discipline issues an assigned seat is my first course of action, I make that clear on day one. When students arrive I tell them to find their seat and get out a pencil. I pass out the syllabus, cover class rules, and then have students work on their get-to-know-you sheet. I collect and review the get-to-know-you handouts while students work on their first activity. My favorites are a musical chair drawing activity (read more about this in a blog post here) or a first day of school, the last day of school still life study.

First Day Checklist

High Scool Art Project Ideas-Popular Resources

My most popular high school resources are my full semester and year curriculums. You get everything you need to teach a course, even with zero experience. Art teachers often go into their jobs and are simply given course titles without resources, handouts, or books to help them teach. Check out what resources I have to make your life easier this school year. Give yourself the gift of time and let me do the planning for you.

  • Introduction to Art Year Curriculum (Shop my TPT, shop my website)
  • Introduction to Design Semester Adobe Suite Curriculum (Shop my TPT, shop my website)
  • Introduction to Design Semester Free Programs Curriculum (Shop my TPT, shop my website)
  • Introduction to Digital Photography Semester Curriculum (Shop my TPT, shop my website)

Thanks for stopping by, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and TikTok for weekly visual journal demos. Until next time!

2 responses to “High School Art Project Ideas”

  1. Jonathan G. Enders says:

    I am so happy for finding your page. This is the first year at our school to be emphasizing arts as a subject or department. We now have arts and science students.

    • I’m so glad to hear your school has added a focus on the arts! It’s so important for students to have fine arts in their education to create a well rounded student and education program. Good luck this year!!

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