Arts

Our Arts program combines exceptional, professional-level instruction with a deep respect for each student’s voice and perspective. Here, students don’t have to choose between exploring their artistic talents and pursuing other passions. From day one, they have opportunities to create, perform, and lead, on stage, in the studio, or behind the scenes.

Whether your child has professional aspirations or just wants to try something new, Shipley is where they will experience art as a powerful form of learning as they grow into their own creative potential.

Shipley’s Arts faculty are more than dedicated educators; they’re talented working artists, musicians, and performers who are deeply connected to the professional world. 

Our faculty exhibit in galleries, perform on regional stages, and teach at top universities—and they bring the authenticity and insights from that real-world experience into every lesson. This high-level mentorship supports each Shipley student in finding and following their own creative paths.

In Shipley’s visual arts program, students learn to see, think, and express themselves as artists. Beginning in Pre-K and continuing through Upper School, the Visual Arts curriculum supports each stage of their development, offering increasing independence and depth.

While a foundational visual arts course is the standard for ninth grade, students may instead choose from specialized courses in Studio Art, Ceramics, and Photography. Many advance to our premier college-level course, Studio Art Seminar, where they develop powerful, self-directed work that reflects their unique voice and vision. The program emphasizes artistic agency and creative independence, with students learning not only to create but to curate, present, and reflect on their art—skills that set them apart in any creative field.

From young students practicing early drawing techniques to seniors producing gallery-quality work for admission to top art schools, Shipley’s arts program meets every child where they are—and helps them become the artists they’re meant to be.

At Shipley, music is everywhere—woven into daily school life, celebrations, and milestones. From Pre-K through Upper School, students play, sing, perform, and collaborate. In fourth and fifth grade, every student chooses an instrument and performs in an ensemble. As they grow, students join groups such as Honors Jazz Combo or the Shipley Singers, take private lessons, and even record audition tapes in our professional-grade studio.

Across all divisions, music fosters creativity, discipline, and connection. Younger students learn to listen, move, and make music together, discovering the joy and confidence that come from shared performance. In Middle School, students expand their skills through ensemble work, vocal and instrumental electives, and opportunities to perform for the broader community. In Upper School, a wide range of courses—spanning music theory, composition, and technology—allow students to explore both classical and contemporary traditions. Public performances, community concerts, and special collaborations with professional musicians further extend learning beyond the classroom.

Whether preparing for a conservatory or simply playing for the joy, Shipley musicians grow in skill, artistry, and confidence—and experience the powerful ways that music builds community and brings people together.

Shipley’s Theater program is immersive, inclusive, and electric. Starting in Lower School, students get hands-on experience in writing, improvisation, and performance. By Middle School, they’re staging full productions. And in Upper School, they take on a bold season of plays, musicals, and Shakespeare—three major performances a year, plus electives in acting, directing, and technical theater.

In our no-cut Theater Arts, there’s a spot for every student. Beyond the stage, students gain technical expertise in stage management, lighting, and sound in our theatre and flexible “grey box” space. With an emphasis on creative exploration and collaborative growth, Shipley’s theater program prepares students for both performance and leadership.

Shipley is one of the only area schools with a professional art gallery on campus. The Speer Gallery hosts rotating exhibits from acclaimed artists, student-curated shows, and alumni work, giving our community direct access to contemporary art and curatorial practice.

From professional works to student creations, the Speer Gallery transforms Shipley into a hub of artistic energy, encouraging students to connect with the wider art world. Students don’t just observe art here; they reflect on it, curate it, and use it as inspiration for their own creative journeys.