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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