Career Standards & Assessment Menu

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.