YourStateStandards

Michigan K–6 visual art standards

Michigan writes its own visual art standards. They are published as Michigan Merit Curriculum: Visual Arts, Music, Dance, and Theater, adopted 2011 and are not a version of a national framework. 97 of 158 are matched to a national standard.

Row-level discipline split of CSP's arts umbrella (all 4 disciplines were classified into `music`): ART.D/ART.T/ART.VA -> art, ART.M -> music.

Framework
Michigan Merit Curriculum: Visual Arts, Music, Dance, and Theater
Adopted
2011
Source last checked
July 24, 2026
Read the official document

158 standards, kindergarten through 6th grade

  • ART.VA.I.K.1K
    Identify and explore a variety of materials to communicate personal experiences.
  • ART.VA.I.K.2K
    Work with materials and tools safely with environmental awareness.
  • ART.VA.I.K.3K
    Explore the elements of art through playful sensory experiences.
  • ART.VA.I.K.4K
    Prepare, complete, and sign finished artwork.
  • ART.VA.II.K.1K
    Explore the basic uses of art materials to produce artwork.
  • ART.VA.II.K.2K
    Use a variety of lines, colors, and basic geometric shapes and patterns to creatively express feelings and personal experiences.
  • ART.VA.II.K.3K
    Participate in discussions of the aspects of environment, family, and home in the creation of art.
  • ART.VA.II.K.4K
    Select subject matter and communicate a personal story in a painting or drawing.
  • ART.VA.II.K.5K
    Express thoughts and ideas through the creation of artwork.
  • ART.VA.II.K.6K
    Experiment with different technologies.
  • ART.VA.III.K.1K
    Explore and discuss why artists create.
  • ART.VA.III.K.2K
    Recognize that art can be created for self-expression or fun.
  • ART.VA.III.K.3K
    Describe the sensory qualities in a work of art.
  • ART.VA.III.K.4K
    Describe a personal artwork.
  • ART.VA.III.K.5K
    Illustrate a personal experience.
  • ART.VA.IV.K.1K
    Understand that humans from all cultures, past or present, have created art.
  • ART.VA.IV.K.2K
    Identify and talk about artwork found around the world.
  • ART.VA.IV.K.3K
    Share student's family and culture through discussion and artwork.
  • ART.VA.V.K.1K
    Identify and discuss art in the student's environment.
  • ART.VA.V.K.2K
    Identify and speak about artists as people who generate new ideas and create art.
  • ART.VA.V.K.3K
    Identify how pattern, shape, rhythm, and movement are used throughout the arts.
  • ART.VA.V.K.4K
    Explore connections between the visual arts and other curriculum.
  • ART.VA.I.1.11
    Identify and experiment with materials to communicate ideas related to the student's world.
  • ART.VA.I.1.21
    Demonstrate the responsible use of project materials with environmental awareness.
  • ART.VA.I.1.31
    Recognize and illustrate the elements of art to communicate personal experiences.
  • ART.VA.I.1.41
    Use revision strategies to enhance personal artwork.
  • ART.VA.II.1.11
    Explore and experiment with materials and processes while creating artwork based on personal routines, activities, or environments.
  • ART.VA.II.1.21
    Explore the use of knowledge of the elements of art.
  • ART.VA.II.1.31
    Explore and discuss how artists construct ideas in artworks.
  • ART.VA.II.1.41
    Plan and create artwork using subject matter selected from personal experiences.
  • ART.VA.II.1.51
    Understand how artists/illustrators use images to tell stories.
  • ART.VA.II.1.61
    Explore the computer as another tool for creating art.
  • ART.VA.III.1.11
    Explore and discuss reasons behind personal artwork.
  • ART.VA.III.1.21
    Identify the purpose of community art.
  • ART.VA.III.1.31
    Demonstrate respect for the value of other opinions in discussion.
  • ART.VA.III.1.41
    Describe the artwork of classmates using art terminology.
  • ART.VA.III.1.51
    Discuss why people use art as a creative outlet.
  • ART.VA.IV.1.11
    Identify symbols, trademarks, icons, emblems, and other visual motifs in student's culture.
  • ART.VA.IV.1.21
    Describe how the subject matter of artwork may be connected to the environment in which it was created.
  • ART.VA.IV.1.31
    Give examples that illustrate how artwork of different groups is influenced by the environment in which it was created.
  • ART.VA.V.1.11
    Recognize art forms created for functional and recreational purposes.
  • ART.VA.V.1.21
    Identify artists in the community.
  • ART.VA.V.1.31
    Identify similarities between the visual arts and other arts disciplines.
  • ART.VA.V.1.41
    Discover connections between the visual arts and other curriculum through student artwork.
  • ART.VA.I.2.12
    Identify and use various materials and techniques using a sequential process.
  • ART.VA.I.2.22
    Demonstrate the safe use of a variety of materials, tools, and processes with environmental awareness.
  • ART.VA.I.2.32
    Compare and explore elements of art and principles of design to communicate ideas related to personal environment.
  • ART.VA.I.2.42
    Use revision strategies to modify personal artwork and then mount it to enhance its presentation.
  • ART.VA.II.2.12
    Demonstrate how materials, techniques, and processes can be used creatively to communicate ideas.
  • ART.VA.II.2.22
    Combine the use of elements of art and principles of design to communicate ideas.
  • ART.VA.II.2.32
    Understand and recognize how artists create and construct multiple solutions to visual problems in artworks.
  • ART.VA.II.2.42
    Use symbols to create artwork that expresses and communicates meaning.
  • ART.VA.II.2.52
    Compare and contrast how artists convey ideas through the creation of artwork.
  • ART.VA.II.2.62
    Demonstrate how artwork can be created using computers and electronic media as a tool for creative expression.
  • ART.VA.III.2.12
    Develop a visual vocabulary.
  • ART.VA.III.2.22
    Recognize that art is created to fulfill personal and/or social needs.
  • ART.VA.III.2.32
    Share personal experiences and preferences in response to works of art.
  • ART.VA.III.2.42
    Evaluate personal artwork using art terminology.
  • ART.VA.III.2.52
    Reflect on how art expresses ideas, feelings, and opinions.
  • ART.VA.IV.2.12
    Compare symbols, trademarks, icons, emblems, and other visual motifs in various cultures.
  • ART.VA.IV.2.22
    Discuss the subject matter of artwork from particular cultures at specific times.
  • ART.VA.IV.2.32
    Debate images of a past or present culture.
  • ART.VA.V.2.12
    Describe how art is used in everyday life.
  • ART.VA.V.2.22
    Investigate and identify visual art careers that relate to children.
  • ART.VA.V.2.32
    Identify similarities among the arts including vocabulary, elements of art, and principles of design.
  • ART.VA.V.2.42
    Demonstrate connections between the visual arts and other curriculum through student artwork.
  • ART.VA.I.3.13
    Compare the use of various materials to communicate ideas and sensory experiences in an artwork.
  • ART.VA.I.3.23
    Demonstrate control and safe use of a variety of art tools with environmental awareness.
  • ART.VA.I.3.33
    Describe, discuss, and model the elements of art and principles of design to communicate ideas.
  • ART.VA.I.3.43
    Select, present, and evaluate personal artwork.
  • ART.VA.II.3.13
    Apply materials and techniques to problem solve in the creation of art.
  • ART.VA.II.3.23
    Create a composition using the elements of art and principles of design to communicate ideas.
  • ART.VA.II.3.33
    Examine how artists turn ideas into visual solutions.
  • ART.VA.II.3.43
    Combine ideas, symbols, and experiences that express and communicate meaning.
  • ART.VA.II.3.53
    Create artwork that aesthetically and creatively conveys an idea.
  • ART.VA.II.3.63
    Design artwork using computers and electronic media to create original works of art.
  • ART.VA.III.3.13
    Compare the elements of art used in personal artwork.
  • ART.VA.III.3.23
    Examine how art expresses cultural traditions.
  • ART.VA.III.3.33
    Highlight social trends that influence our emotional reactions to art.
  • ART.VA.III.3.43
    Select a piece of personal artwork, critique it using art terminology, and make revisions.
  • ART.VA.III.3.53
    Discuss how personal experiences influence the creation of art.
  • ART.VA.IV.3.13
    Examine customs or traditions celebrated by different communities.
  • ART.VA.IV.3.23
    Describe the materials and art forms used by particular cultures.
  • ART.VA.IV.3.33
    Recognize how the available materials and processes in a particular time or place can influence the art that is created.
  • ART.VA.V.3.13
    Describe how art can be found in various environments.
  • ART.VA.V.3.23
    Investigate and identify careers related to artists who work in specific media.
  • ART.VA.V.3.33
    Investigate collaboration across art disciplines.
  • ART.VA.V.3.43
    Illustrate connections between the visual arts and other curriculum through student artwork.
  • ART.VA.I.4.14
    Use technologies to communicate ideas and experiences.
  • ART.VA.I.4.24
    Demonstrate control and safe use of technologies with environmental awareness.
  • ART.VA.I.4.34
    Analyze and reflect on the elements of art and design to communicate ideas.
  • ART.VA.I.4.44
    Prepare, present, and collaboratively evaluate personal artwork.
  • ART.VA.II.4.14
    Synthesize the use of a variety of materials, techniques, and processes to problem solve in the creation of art.
  • ART.VA.II.4.24
    Synthesize knowledge of elements of art and principles of design to creatively communicate ideas.
  • ART.VA.II.4.34
    Analyze and collaborate how artists express ideas through the use of visual culture, global perspective, and symbols in works of art.
  • ART.VA.II.4.44
    Analyze and reflect on the uses of subject matter, symbols, and ideas to express and communicate meaning in artwork.
  • ART.VA.II.4.54
    Discuss and debate how artists from various cultures convey ideas differently.
  • ART.VA.II.4.64
    Incorporate the uses of different technologies to show artistic expression through an original artwork.
  • ART.VA.III.4.14
    Reflect and discuss the visual structures and functions used in personal artwork.
  • ART.VA.III.4.24
    Recognize that artwork may serve functional purposes, be purely decorative, or serve multiple purposes.
  • ART.VA.III.4.34
    Compare how global and cultural diversity elicits differing responses.
  • ART.VA.III.4.44
    Compare and contrast two pieces of personal work.
  • ART.VA.III.4.54
    Analyze how art can be a reflection of society and a response to real world experiences.
  • ART.VA.IV.4.14
    Describe how artwork communicates facts and/or experiences of various cultures.
  • ART.VA.IV.4.24
    Compare and contrast the visual elements contained in the artwork of particular cultures.
  • ART.VA.IV.4.34
    Evaluate the interrelationship between design, trends, events, and the economics of a culture.
  • ART.VA.V.4.14
    Analyze various uses of art globally, in media, business, technology, and industry.
  • ART.VA.V.4.24
    Investigate and identify careers related to advertising.
  • ART.VA.V.4.34
    Identify connections between technology and the arts.
  • ART.VA.V.4.44
    Demonstrate cross-curricular connections through a culminating event.
  • ART.VA.I.5.15
    Use materials, techniques, media, technology, and processes to communicate ideas and experiences.
  • ART.VA.I.5.25
    Use art materials and tools safely and responsibly with environmental awareness.
  • ART.VA.I.5.35
    Incorporate the elements of art and principles of design to communicate ideas.
  • ART.VA.I.5.45
    Participate in the process and delivery of a final product for exhibition or presentation.
  • ART.VA.II.5.15
    Synthesize the knowledge of materials, techniques, and processes to create artwork.
  • ART.VA.II.5.25
    Apply knowledge of how to use visual characteristics and organizational principles to communicate ideas.
  • ART.VA.II.5.35
    Explore and understand prospective subject matter, ideas, and symbols for works of art.
  • ART.VA.II.5.45
    Select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning.
  • ART.VA.II.5.55
    Analyze how art conveys ideas to express one's individuality.
  • ART.VA.II.5.65
    Explore and understand the impact of digital media and technology in the creation of artwork.
  • ART.VA.III.5.15
    Validate the effects of visual structures and functions, and reflect upon these effects in personal work.
  • ART.VA.III.5.25
    Identify and defend various purposes for creating works of visual art.
  • ART.VA.III.5.35
    Understand and respect that there are different responses to specific art works in a global community.
  • ART.VA.III.5.45
    Analyze the characteristics of personal artwork.
  • ART.VA.III.5.55
    Develop a sensitivity and understanding of how personal experiences can influence the development of artwork.
  • ART.VA.IV.5.15
    Defend the history of visual arts and specific relationships to various cultures and times.
  • ART.VA.IV.5.25
    Compare and contrast works of art as belonging to particular cultures, times, and places.
  • ART.VA.IV.5.35
    Demonstrate how history, culture, and the visual arts interrelate in making and studying works of art.
  • ART.VA.V.5.15
    Explain how visual arts have inherent relationships to everyday life.
  • ART.VA.V.5.25
    Identify various careers in the visual arts.
  • ART.VA.V.5.35
    Understand and use comparative characteristics of the visual arts and other arts disciplines.
  • ART.VA.V.5.45
    Synthesize connections between the visual arts and other disciplines in the curriculum.
  • ART.VA.I.6.16
    Understand the varying qualities of materials, techniques, media technology, and processes at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.I.6.26
    Develop the concept of proper use of art materials and using tools safely and responsibly.
  • ART.VA.I.6.36
    Develop a successful visual vocabulary.
  • ART.VA.I.6.46
    Develop reflective thinking skills by observing, analyzing, and critically evaluating works of art for the purpose of improving technical quality.
  • ART.VA.I.6.56
    Produce and exhibit a final product that demonstrates quality craftsmanship and technique at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.II.6.16
    Identify, design, and solve creative problems at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.II.6.26
    Develop and apply critical thinking strategies through the art making process at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.II.6.36
    Collaborate, communicate, and work with others to create new ideas at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.II.6.46
    Initiate new ideas employing inventiveness and innovation at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.II.6.56
    Demonstrate reflective thinking practices at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.II.6.66
    Make knowledgeable choices about materials, techniques, media technology, organizational principles, and processes to articulate ideas and communicate intended meaning at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.II.6.76
    Create preliminaries, possibilities, and drafts at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.III.6.16
    Observe, describe, and analyze visual characteristics at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.III.6.26
    Develop the skill of interpreting artwork, searching for embedded meaning, function, and personal connections at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.III.6.36
    Develop the ability to describe how the artist's choice of materials, techniques, media technology, and processes influence the viewer.
  • ART.VA.III.6.46
    Develop critical thinking strategies, observing, comparing, and contrasting artworks.
  • ART.VA.III.6.56
    Develop and defend informed aesthetic opinions about works of art using artistic vocabulary at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.III.6.66
    Identify personal and community experiences within works of art at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.IV.6.16
    Recognize and describe how art contributes to and reflects all societies and cultures.
  • ART.VA.IV.6.26
    Develop an understanding of the historical, social, and cultural contexts of artwork with aesthetic sophistication.
  • ART.VA.IV.6.36
    Decode and interpret artwork to discern between prejudice and tolerance, bias, and fact at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.V.6.16
    Recognize and describe personal, family, and community connections with artworks at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.V.6.26
    Recognize the skills used in visual arts careers at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.V.6.36
    Compare the characteristics of work in two or more art forms that are dissimilar in subject matter, historical periods, or cultural context at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.V.6.46
    Demonstrate an understanding of their place in the visual world and develop an appreciation of how they are part of a global society at a developing level.
  • ART.VA.V.6.56
    Describe ways in which the principles and subject matter of other disciplines taught in school are interrelated with the visual arts at a developing level.

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