New Hampshire K–6 visual art standards

New Hampshire writes its own visual art standards. They are published as NH K-12 Curriculum Framework for the Arts (2001), adopted 2001 and are not a version of a national framework. 35 of 53 are matched to a national standard.

Framework: NH K-12 Curriculum Framework for the Arts (2001)
Adopted: 2001
Source last checked: July 25, 2026

Read the official document

53 standards, kindergarten through 6th grade

VA.1.G4.aK-4
differentiate between materials, techniques, and processes of making art
VA.1.G4.bK-4
describe how different techniques, media, and processes produce different effects and personal responses
VA.1.G4.cK-4
use various materials, techniques, and processes to communicate and express ideas, experiences, and stories
VA.1.G4.dK-4
use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner
VA.1.G4.eK-4
communicate and express ideas symbolically.
VA.2.G4.aK-4
recognize the visual elements including color, shape, form, space, line, value, and texture
VA.2.G4.bK-4
describe the principles of design including balance, unity and rhythm
VA.2.G4.cK-4
describe how different expressive features, and ways of organizing them, cause different responses
VA.2.G4.dK-4
create works of art that use the elements of art and principles of design to communicate and express ideas.
VA.3.G4.aK-4
explore and understand prospective content for works of art
VA.3.G4.bK-4
create art, selecting and using appropriate subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning.
VA.4.G4.aK-4
know that the visual arts have both a history and a specific relationship to various cultures
VA.4.G4.bK-4
identify specific works of art in particular cultures, times, and places
VA.4.G4.cK-4
describe how history, culture, and visual arts influence each other
VA.4.G4.dK-4
identify a variety of art objects, artists, and resources specific to New Hampshire
VA.4.G4.eK-4
create a work of art that reflects an understanding of how history or culture can influence visual art.
VA.5.G4.aK-4
identify various purposes for creating works of art
VA.5.G4.bK-4
describe how people’s experiences influence the development of specific art works
VA.5.G4.cK-4
understand that people may respond in different and equally valid ways to specific art works
VA.5.G4.dK-4
describe their personal responses to specific works of art using visual art terminology
VA.5.G4.eK-4
identify possible improvements in the process of creating their own work.
VA.6.G4.aK-4
identify connections among the visual arts and other arts disciplines
VA.6.G4.bK-4
understand that similarities exist between the visual arts and other disciplines
VA.6.G4.cK-4
describe how the visual arts are used in the world around us and how they are part of our everyday life
VA.6.G4.dK-4
describe how the visual art design principles are expressed in multi-media presentations and daily life.
VA.7.G4.aK-4
identify a variety of professions in the visual arts
VA.7.G4.bK-4
describe various kinds of artists and fields of art particular to New Hampshire.
VA.1.G8.a5-6
select media and analyze how it effectively communicates and expresses ideas
VA.1.G8.b5-6
use the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of their experiences and ideas
VA.1.G8.c5-6
express and communicate ideas symbolically and realistically
VA.1.G8.d5-6
use increasingly complex art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner.
VA.2.G8.a5-6
recognize and reflect on the effects of arranging visual characteristics in works of art
VA.2.G8.b5-6
select and use the elements of art and principles of design to improve communication and expression of ideas
VA.2.G8.c5-6
describe and analyze visual characteristics of works of art using visual arts terminology.
VA.3.G8.a5-6
use subjects, themes, and symbols that communicate and express intended meaning in their artwork
VA.3.G8.b5-6
consider and compare the sources for subject matter, symbols, and ideas in their own and others’ work.
VA.4.G8.a5-6
compare the characteristics of works of art representing various cultures, historical periods, and artists
VA.4.G8.b5-6
describe and place a variety of art objects by style and artist, and by historical and cultural contexts
VA.4.G8.c5-6
describe how a given work of art can be interpreted differently in various cultures and time
VA.4.G8.d5-6
analyze, describe, and demonstrate how factors of time and place influence visual characteristics that give meaning and value to a work of art
VA.4.G8.e5-6
identify artists who have used New Hampshire and New England as their subject and know where such works may be viewed
VA.4.G8.f5-6
create a work of art that reflects historical and/or cultural context
VA.5.G8.a5-6
compare multiple purposes for creating works of art
VA.5.G8.b5-6
analyze the meanings of contemporary and historic artworks
VA.5.G8.c5-6
evaluate the quality and effectiveness of their own and others’ work by using specific criteria
VA.5.G8.d5-6
compare a variety of individual responses to their own art works
VA.5.G8.e5-6
describe their own responses to, and interpretation of, specific works of art
VA.5.G8.f5-6
describe their own artistic growth over time in relation to specific criteria.
VA.6.G8.a5-6
compare characteristics of works of art and other art forms that share similar subject matter, themes and purposes
VA.6.G8.b5-6
create art work that reflects the connections among visual arts and other disciplines
VA.6.G8.c5-6
apply the principles of design in solving a visual arts problem.
VA.7.G8.a5-6
identify visual artists who are recognized locally, nationally, and internationally
VA.7.G8.b5-6
describe occupations in which knowledge of design principles is important, such as fashion, manufacturing, advertising and web design.

New Hampshire K–6 visual art standards

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