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Arts A/V Technology & Communications (CTE Career Cluster)

The Arts, Audio/Visual and Communications Cluster focuses on the development of skills to share a message, feeling or emotion through digital, 2D and 4D means. Kansas has created two pathways for this cluster, both very different from each other. In addition, the Visual Arts pathway has two strands which further define the skill set of this career cluster. The pathway design sheets found under each pathway link will provide access to the course competencies, which direct the knowledge and skill development.

Introduction to Arts, Audio/Visual and Communications
This career cluster covers the basics of social media and technical design which can be applied to a range of careers from graphic design and interior design to digital communication and managing of social media sites.

The AV Communications pathway is focused on 21st century journalism and electronic story telling through photographs, video and digital means; whereas the Visual Arts pathway is divided by the use of design.

The Visual Arts--Graphic Design strand is focused upon 2 dimensional design as is found in items which sell a message through images and words, rather than through sound or video. Several disciplines in the secondary school embrace graphic design and could provide leadership for this strand.

In contrast, the Visual Arts--Interior and Textile Design strand focuses on the 4 dimensional use of design in actual experiences with textiles, interior spaces, and apparel in which the design elements and principles are used to create an environment and/or item that fits a need, is appropriate for the user/consumer but also conveys physical comfort and positive emotion. This strand is taught through the Family and Consumer Sciences departments due to the need for technical applications of design in this specific focus.

Incorporation of Art
Art is a foundational part of this career cluster; however this career cluster is focused on the technical use of art in two specific high need areas of graphic design and interior and textile design. Two Art courses are found within the Visual Arts pathway with specific competencies in foundational technical design. They are Intro to Drawing and Principles of Illustration. These are not the traditional fine art courses, but rather technical in nature. Refer to the pathway design sheet for competencies for these courses (click on the course title on the pathway design sheet).

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO)
Career and technical skill organizations (CTSOs) enhance the learning environment by offering opportunities to develop leadership while classroom knowledge and skills is applied in authentic situations. Several CTSOs embrace the Arts. AV and Communication career cluster. Several of the most common are Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), which embraces the Visual Arts-Interior and Textile Design strand and Future Business Leaders of American (FBLA) and SkillsUSA, which offers a number of AV Communications and Visual Arts—Graphic Design connections. To learn more about these organizations, please visit: Kansas FCCLA, SkillsUSA, and Kansas FBLA.

Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communication Pathway Design Sheets with Competencies & Resources

The pathway design sheets listed below include a list of the course options within each pathway and the competency profiles for each of those courses. These design sheets are good for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years unless otherwise noted.

Statewide Articulation Agreements

State-wide articulation agreements have been developed for all clusters. To see those available for this cluster's pathways, click on the following link.
 TitleCategory
Statewide Articulation AgreementsLink

Wage & Employment Information

The following documents highlight occupational outlook within the areas named in the title of the document based on the 2012-2022 Kansas Occupational Outlook Study and the 2015-2016 National Employment Occupational Outlook Handbook. Click on each title to open.

Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
Consultant

Eryn Knecht
(785) 296-2221
eknecht@ksde.org

Deputy Commissioner
Division of Learning Services

Dr. Ben Proctor
(785) 296-2303
bproctor@ksde.org

Director
Career, Standards and Assessment

Beth Fultz
(785) 296-3142
bfultz@ksde.org

Assistant Director
Career and Technical Education

Natalie D. Clark
(785) 296-4351
​ndclark@ksde.org

Assistant Director
Curricular Standards

Dr. David Fernkopf
(785) 296-8447
dfernkopf@ksde.org

Assistant Director
Assessment

Julie Ewing
(785) 296-2325
jewing@ksde.org

Assistant Director
Kansas Volunteer Commission

Dr. Jessica Dorsey
(785) 296-3163
jdorsey@ksde.org

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