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Fayetteville-Manlius leaders praise K–12 visual-arts program, unveil new photography lab plans
Summary
Katie Gabriel told the board that the district’s visual-arts program is aligned with New York State standards and the IAAP graduation pathway, highlighted partnerships and student success in AP portfolios, and described planned facility and curriculum investments including a new high‑school photography and design lab.
Katie Gabriel, the district’s visual-arts leader, presented an overview of Fayetteville‑Manlius’s K–12 visual‑arts program and told the Board of Education it serves as a strategic thread linking creativity, critical thinking and technology across grade levels.
Gabriel said the district has aligned courses with the newest New York State visual‑art standards and emphasized that the Individual Arts Assessment Pathway (IAAP) is available as a graduation option. “At FM, we are fortunate to have educators who are dedicated to helping each student realize their full potential,” Gabriel said, noting that the IAAP continues as a pathway students can select to meet graduation requirements.
The presentation highlighted outcomes the board identified as markers of program strength: a longstanding AP arts program with nearly 15% of graduating seniors completing AP art portfolios and consistently strong scores, expanded digital and media‑arts offerings, and partnership work with BOCES and community arts professionals. Gabriel described a new collaboration connecting photo students with local businesses to build portfolios and provide commercial photography experience.
Gabriel also reviewed extracurricular and civic partnerships, including the Memory Project and community mural collaborations that pair high‑school and middle‑school students. She credited teachers for curriculum work across elementary, middle and high schools and asked the district to consider digital/media arts as an explicit extension of the fine arts.
On facilities, administrators and Gabriel told the board the high‑school photography and design lab and an auxiliary gym are expected to be ready for occupancy before 2025, and that other studio improvements at Wellwood and across buildings are under discussion. Board members thanked Gabriel and asked about ways the board can support continued integration of arts and technology; Gabriel cited cross‑department scheduling and counseling alignment as areas that could increase student access.
The presentation closed with recognition of staff members who contribute to the program and an invitation for board members to visit student work and new studio spaces.
