What We Do

In the ArtQuest program, we strive to find real world experiences and bring them into the classroom.  Our students graduate from our program with industry experience, and critical thinking skills that challenge students to expand their worldview. Check out our interdisciplinary collaboration between several AQ arts disciplines. 
"Intersecting many disciplines - photography, sculpture, performance, dance, land art, body art, design, and acrobatics - the artist creates and 
choreographs each vibrant piece with a strong philosophy directing each scene, using the medium of photography, known to capture the 'real', 
to achieve the seemingly impossible, with thoughtful and surreal outcomes."
”Jean-Paul Bourdier

ArtQuest Arts Specialties

​Visual Arts

• ​Digital Arts
• Photography
• Video Arts
• Visual Fine Arts

Performing Arts

• Dance
• Instrumental Music
• Theatre Arts
• Vocal Music

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Mission

ArtQuest is committed to providing an inclusive, 21st century, immersive arts ​education. This interdisciplinary, college-preparatory program develops creative problem solving skills and practices necessary to pursue conservatory, college, and professional paths. We believe art is a crucial part of the solution to the societal challenges we face.
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Vision

ArtQuest is an artistic learning community devoted to the development of respect, empathy, accountability, and community-mindedness. We believe in the transformative power of art and are committed to connecting students to the global arts culture.
​ArtQuest’s industry professionals use project-based learning to foster the creative process. Interdisciplinary collaborations, renowned guest artists, and mentoring alumni contribute to the development of the student’s identity, and artistic growth.
ArtQuest is conscious that many identity groups have been excluded from access to an arts education, and reaffirms our commitment to inclusion, equality, and diversity in the arts.

ArtQuest Core Classes
AQ Core classes are highly recommended for AQ students and are connected to the overall program in several ways, including individual units, through collaborative projects, by participation in the annual AQ theme, and by bringing AQ students together from all eight Arts Specialties. Instructors who teach AQ Core classes meet and plan with the AQ Arts teachers on a regular basis and are very involved with creating and implementing AQ events and projects.

Recognizing the importance of critical thinking, creative problem solving, and the need to understand and communicate in many arenas, AQ Core classes are designed to support learning in multi-faceted, engaging and relevant ways and students are encouraged to incorporate their arts specialty into core class projects and presentations. Diverse learning styles are addressed and learning opportunities are provided through direct instruction, reading, writing, class and group discussions, research, art projects, oral reports and presentations, films, political cartoons and other visual statements, individual and group work, guest artists, field trips and other project-based methods. Curriculum in all AQ Core courses is aligned with the applicable California Common Core Standards.

• AQ Academic English and Honors English classes offer a challenging literature-based curriculum featuring varied viewpoints. AQ Honors English requires more rigor and work and is recommended for students truly interested in the discipline.

​ArtQuest Pledges to:

​The ArtQuest Program condemns all acts of exclusion, discrimination, hate or violence. We commit to supporting each other in enacting anti-racist pedagogy and dismantling all systemic discrimination and practices that undermine social justice.​ 

• Protect and Value Black, Indigenous, other People of Color (BIPOC) students.
• Protect and value LGBTQ+ students across the gender spectrum.
• Protect and value students from disenfranchised and oppressed communities.
• Protect and value students of varied cognitive and differing physical abilities.

To this end, ArtQuest:

• Incorporates and elevates the contributions and perspectives of BIPOC artists and their intersectional identities within our curricula.
• Practices culturally responsive and social justice informed pedagogy.
• Advocates for mental health counseling, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ counselors.
• Engages in Social Emotional Learning (SEL), anti-racist and implicit bias training.
• Supports and advocates for Restorative Practice work.
• Participates in active civic engagement and community volunteerism.
• Empowers our student’s’ voices within their campus community.

Santa Rosa High School
Santa Rosa High School, a comprehensive high school, offers many other options as well, including additional Honors and Advanced Placement classes and a full range of Science, Math, Foreign Language, Agriculture and Vocational classes. 

SRHS students' SAT scores are consistently high, being among the highest in the Santa Rosa City Schools District. The Advanced Placement rate of passage is also consistently very high.

​Santa Rosa Junior College
Students may also enroll for classes at the adjacent campus of Santa Rosa Junior College or other colleges, or online classes from various institutions. Guest artists, exciting field trips, and exhibit and performance opportunities are all a regular part of the overall curriculum at ArtQuest.