Minnesota

Academic Standards

Arts K-12
2008

The proposed revised standards in this document were drafted during the 2007-2008
school year. These standards are currently proceeding through the administrative
rulemaking process.

3.4.09
 2008 Minnesota Academic Standards in the Arts

The Minnesota Academic Standards in the Arts set the expectations for achievement in
the arts for K-12 students in Minnesota. The standards are organized by grade band (K-3,
4-5, 6-8, 9-12) into four strands that foster the development of students artistic literacy.
The strands are as follows:
1. Artistic Foundations
2. Artistic Process: Create or Make
3. Artistic Process: Perform or Present, and
4. Artistic Process: Respond or Critique.

Each strand has one or more standards that can be implemented in the arts areas of dance,
media arts, music, theater and/or visual arts. The benchmarks for the standards in each
arts area are designated by a 5-digit code. In reading the coding, please note that for code
0.3.1.5.2, the 0 refers to refers to the 0-3 (K-3) grade band, the 3 refers to the Artistic
Process: Perform or Present strand, the 1 refers to the first (and only) standard for that
strand, the 5 refers to the fifth arts area (visual arts), and the 2 refers to the second
benchmark for that standard.

Students are expected to master the standards in the selected arts area(s) by the end of the
last grade level in the band. For example, students are expected to master grade 6-8
standards by the end of eighth grade.

Several state statutes pertain to the new arts standards. In Minnesota, public elementary
and middle schools must offer at least three and require at least two of the following four
arts areas: dance, music, theater and visual arts. Public high schools must offer at least
three and require at least one of the following five arts areas: dance, media arts, music,
theater or visual arts. (Minnesota Statute 120B.021, subd.1)

Districts may use state or locally developed arts standards (MS 120B.021, subd. 1). State
graduation requirements call for students to earn one credit in the arts (MS 120B.024). A
career and technical education course may fulfill a general science, mathematics or arts
credit in addition to the specified science, mathematics or arts credits under paragraph
(a), clause (2), (3) or (5) of Minnesota Statute 120B.024. (See next page for complete text
of Minnesota Statute 120B.024).
2008 Minnesota Statutes
120B.024 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS; COURSE CREDITS.
(a) Students beginning 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year and later must
successfully complete the following high school level course credits for graduation:
(1) four credits of language arts;
(2) three credits of mathematics, encompassing at least algebra, geometry,
statistics, and probability sufficient to satisfy the academic standard;
(3) three credits of science, including at least one credit in biology;
(4) three and one-half credits of social studies, encompassing at least United
States history, geography, government and citizenship, world history, and
economics or three credits of social studies encompassing at least United States
history, geography, government and citizenship, and world history, and one-half
credit of economics taught in a school's social studies, agriculture education, or
business department;
(5) one credit in the arts; and
(6) a minimum of seven elective course credits.
A course credit is equivalent to a student successfully completing an academic
year of study or a student mastering the applicable subject matter, as determined by
the local school district.
(b) An agriculture science course may fulfill a science credit requirement in
addition to the specified science credits in biology and chemistry or physics under
paragraph (a), clause (3).
(c) A career and technical education course may fulfill a science, mathematics,
or arts credit requirement in addition to the specified science, mathematics, or arts
credits under paragraph (a), clause (2), (3), or (5).
Grade Strand Standard Arts Code Benchmark
1. Artistic 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the 1. Identify the elements of dance including body,
K-3 Dance 0.1.1.1.1
Foundations foundations of the arts area. action, space, time and energy.
1. Artistic 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the 1. Identify the elements in media arts such as
K-3 Media Arts 0.1.1.2.1
Foundations foundations of the arts area. image, sound, space, time, motion and sequence.
1. Identify the elements of music including
1. Artistic 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the
K-3 Music 0.1.1.3.1 melody, rhythm, harmony, dynamics, tone color,
Foundations foundations of the arts area.
texture, form and their related concepts.
1. Artistic 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the 1. Identify the elements of theater including plot,
K-3 Theater 0.1.1.4.1
Foundations foundations of the arts area. theme, character, language, sound and spectacle.
1. Artistic 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the 1. Identify the elements of visual art including
K-3 Visual Arts 0.1.1.5.1
Foundations foundations of the arts area. color, line, shape, texture and space.

2. Demonstrate knowledge and

1. Artistic useof the technical skills of the 1. Demonstrate replicated and improvised
K-3 Dance 0.1.2.1.1
Foundations art form, integrating technology movement using control and coordination.
when applicable.

2. Demonstrate knowledge and

1. Artistic useof the technical skills of the 2. Identify technology in a variety of dance
K-3 Dance 0.1.2.1.2
Foundations art form, integrating technology contexts for research and feedback.
when applicable.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and
1. Identify how hardware such as digital still
1. Artistic useof the technical skills of the
K-3 Media Arts 0.1.2.2.1 cameras, digital video camcorders and computers
Foundations art form, integrating technology
are used for creation of media arts.
when applicable.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and
useof the technical skills of the 2. Identify the functions of software such as photo-
1. Artistic
K-3 art form, integrating technology Media Arts 0.1.2.2.2 editing, video-editing and sound-editing tools, in
Foundations
when applicable. creating original products for expressive intent.

2. Demonstrate knowledge and

useof the technical skills of the
1. Artistic 1. Read and notate music using a system of
K-3 art form, integrating technology Music 0.1.2.3.1
Foundations notation such as solfege, numbers or symbols.
when applicable.
Grade Strand Standard Arts Code Benchmark
2. Demonstrate knowledge and
useof the technical skills of the
1. Artistic 2. Sing and play with accurate pitch, rhythm and
K-3 art form, integrating technology Music 0.1.2.3.2
Foundations expressive intent.
when applicable.

2. Demonstrate knowledge and

useof the technical skills of the 1. Demonstrate skills such as improvising,
1. Artistic
K-3 art form, integrating technology Theater 0.1.2.4.1 creating character and selecting costumes for
Foundations
when applicable. dramatizations.

2. Demonstrate knowledge and

1. Identify the tools, materials and techniques
useof the technical skills of the
1. Artistic from a variety of two- and three-dimensional
K-3 art form, integrating technology Visual Arts 0.1.2.5.1
Foundations media such as drawing, printmaking, ceramics or
when applicable.
sculpture.

3. Demonstrate understanding of
the personal, social, cultural
1. Artistic
K-3 and historical contexts that
Foundations
influence the arts areas.
1. Identify the characteristics of dance from a
variety of cultures including the contributions of
Dance 0.1.3.1.1
Minnesota American Indian tribes and
communities.

3. Demonstrate understanding of 1. Identify the characteristics of works in media

1. Artistic the personal, social, cultural art from a variety of cultures including the
K-3 Media Arts 0.1.3.2.1
Foundations and historical contexts that contributions of Minnesota American Indian
influence the arts areas. tribes and communities.

3. Demonstrate understanding of 1. Identify the characteristics of music from a

1. Artistic the personal, social, cultural variety of cultures including contributions of
K-3 Music 0.1.3.3.1
Foundations and historical contexts that Minnesota American Indian tribes and
influence the arts areas. communities.
Grade Strand Standard Arts Code Benchmark
3. Demonstrate understanding of
1. Identify the characteristics of works in theater
the personal, social, cultural
1. Artistic from a variety of cultures including the
K-3 and historical contexts that Theater 0.1.3.4.1
Foundations contributions of Minnesota American Indian
influence the arts areas.
tribes and communities.

3. Demonstrate understanding of
the personal, social, cultural
1. Artistic
K-3 and historical contexts that
Foundations
influence the arts areas.
1. Identify the characteristics of visual artworks
from a variety of cultures including the
Visual Arts 0.1.3.5.1
contributions of Minnesota American Indian
tribes and communities.

1. Create or make in a variety of

2. Artistic Process: contexts in the arts area using the 1. Improvise or choreograph dance ideas that
K-3 Dance 0.2.1.1.1
Create or Make artistic foundations. communicate an experience or theme.

1. Create or make in a variety of

2. Artistic Process: contexts in the arts area using the 2. Revise creative work based on the feedback of
K-3 Dance 0.2.1.1.2
Create or Make artistic foundations. others.

1. Create or make in a variety of

2. Artistic Process: contexts in the arts area using the 1. Create original media artworks to express
K-3 Media Arts 0.2.1.2.1
Create or Make artistic foundations. ideas, experiences or stories.

1. Create or make in a variety of

2. Artistic Process: contexts in the arts area using the 2. Revise creative work based on the feedback of
K-3 Media Arts 0.2.1.2.2
Create or Make artistic foundations. others.

1. Create or make in a variety of

2. Artistic Process: contexts in the arts area using the 1. Improvise or compose to express musical ideas
K-3 Music 0.2.1.3.1
Create or Make artistic foundations. using the voice or an instrument.

1. Create or make in a variety of

2. Artistic Process: contexts in the arts area using the 2. Revise a creation based on the feedback of
K-3 Music 0.2.1.3.2
Create or Make artistic foundations. others.
Grade Strand Standard Arts Code Benchmark
1. Create or make in a variety of
2. Artistic Process: contexts in the arts area using the 1. Create images or express ideas through the use
K-3 Theater 0.2.1.4.1
Create or Make artistic foundations. of movement, sound and language.

1. Create or make in a variety of

2. Artistic Process: contexts in the arts area using the 2. Revise a creation based on the feedback of
K-3 Theater 0.2.1.4.2
Create or Make artistic foundations. others.

1. Create or make in a variety of

2. Artistic Process: contexts in the arts area using the 1. Create original two- and three- dimensional
K-3 Visual Arts 0.2.1.5.1
Create or Make artistic foundations. artworks to express ideas, experiences or stories.

1. Create or make in a variety of

2. Artistic Process: contexts in the arts area using the 2. Revise an artwork based on the feedback of
K-3 Visual Arts 0.2.1.5.2
Create or Make artistic foundations. others.

1. Perform or present in a variety 1. Interpret and perform sequences of movement

3. Artistic Process:
K-3 of contexts in the arts area using Dance 0.3.1.1.1 with a beginning, middle and end that
Perform or Present
the artistic foundations. communicate a life experience, theme or idea.
1. Perform or present in a variety
3. Artistic Process: 2. Reflect on a presentation based on the
K-3 of contexts in the arts area using Dance 0.3.1.1.2
Perform or Present feedback of others.
the artistic foundations.
1. Perform or present in a variety
3. Artistic Process:
K-3 of contexts in the arts area using Media Arts 0.3.1.2.1 1. Share and describe a personal media artwork.
Perform or Present
the artistic foundations.
1. Perform or present in a variety
3. Artistic Process: 2. Reflect on a presentation based on the
K-3 of contexts in the arts area using Media Arts 0.3.1.2.2
Perform or Present feedback of others.
the artistic foundations.
1. Perform or present in a variety
3. Artistic Process: 1. Sing and play a varied repertoire that includes
K-3 of contexts in the arts area using Music 0.3.1.3.1
Perform or Present simple rhythms and melodies.
the artistic foundations.
1. Perform or present in a variety
3. Artistic Process: 2. Reflect on a performance based on the
K-3 of contexts in the arts area using Music 0.3.1.3.2
Perform or Present feedback of others.
the artistic foundations.
 Grade Strand Standard Arts Code Benchmark
1. Perform or present in a variety
3. Artistic Process: 1. Interpret and perform a variety of characters
K-3 of contexts in the arts area using Theater 0.3.1.4.1
Perform or Present using voice, movement and props.
the artistic foundations.
1. Perform or present in a variety
3. Artistic Process: 2. Reflect on a performance based on the
K-3 of contexts in the arts area using Theater 0.3.1.4.2
Perform or Present feedback of others.
the artistic foundations.
1. Perform or present in a variety
3. Artistic Process:
K-3 of contexts in the arts area using Visual Arts 0.3.1.5.1 1. Share and describe a personal artwork.
Perform or Present
the artistic foundations.
1. Perform or present in a variety
3. Artistic Process: 2. Reflect on a presentation based on the
K-3 of contexts in the arts area using Visual Arts 0.3.1.5.2
Perform or Present feedback of others.
the artistic foundations.
1. Respond to or critique a
4. Artistic Process:
variety of creations or 1. Compare and contrast the characteristics of
K-3 Respond or Dance 0.4.1.1.1
performances using the artistic various dance works or performances.
Critique
foundations.
1. Respond to or critique a
4. Artistic Process:
variety of creations or 1. Compare and contrast the characteristics of a
K-3 Respond or Media Arts 0.4.1.2.1
performances using the artistic variety of media artworks.
Critique
foundations.
1. Respond to or critique a
4. Artistic Process:
variety of creations or 1. Compare and contrast the characteristics of a
K-3 Respond or Music 0.4.1.3.1
performances using the artistic variety of musical works or performances.
Critique
foundations
1. Respond to or critique a
4. Artistic Process:
variety of creations or 1. Compare and contrast the characteristics of a
K-3 Respond or Theater 0.4.1.4.1
performances using the artistic variety of theater performances.
Critique
foundations
1. Respond to or critique a
4. Artistic Process:
variety of creations or 1. Compare and contrast the characteristics of a
K-3 Respond or Visual Arts 0.4.1.5.1
performances using the artistic variety of works of visual art.
Critique
foundations.

1. Artistic 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the 1. Describe the elements of dance including body,
Grades 4-5 Dance 4.1.1.1.1
Foundations foundations of the arts area. action, space, time and energy.