Jan 28 / Art: Vision & Mission Statements / Wabi-Sabi Aesthetics
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Unit: Art
Theme: Vision & Mission Statements / Wabi-Sabi Aesthetics
Introduction
Statements of a school’s vision and mission are important for keeping a school focused on its core purpose. The statements can act as a guiding north star for school administrators who aim to make decisions that live up to the statements. They are also important because they are documents that parents use to see whether the school meets their family’s values.
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Learning Objectives
- Understand the meaning of a school's vision statement
- Explain the importance of a school's mission statement
- Gain awareness of the role they play in a teacher's decision making
- Experience the Wadb-Sabi aesthetics and its application withing the context of a school's vision and mission
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Main Lesson
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Concepts
Mission Statement
It is a formal summary of the aims and values of a school, company, organization, or individual.
Vision Statement
A vision statement is a declaration of an organization's objectives, intended to guide its internal decision-making.
Question 1
Briefly explain the difference between the mission and the vision statement.
2
Examples of Mission and Vision Statements as they appear in the websites of three schools.
a)
New World School of the Arts
https://nwsa.mdc.edu/about/
Mission
New World School of the Arts (NWSA) is a Florida Center of Excellence in the Visual and Performing Arts. NWSA provides a comprehensive program of artistic, creative, and academic development through a curriculum that reflects the rich, multicultural State of Florida. The school empowers students to become state, national, and international leaders in the arts by challenging them with innovative ideas as they prepare for professional careers in a global community. These principles guide intensive and rigorous education for talented high school and college arts students
Vision
We are committed to providing educational and artistic excellence for our students.
b)
https://www.miamiartscharter.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=153154&type=d&pREC_ID=299441
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c)
Design and Architecture Senior High School
https://dashschool.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=509337&type=d&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=981020&hideMenu=0
Question 2
Which one of the mission and vision statements presented here do you identify with? Explain
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d)
Miami Dade County Publics Schools - Division of Academics: Mission and Vision
https://divisionofacademics.dadeschools.net/#!/rightColumn/1663
Vision: To empower every M-DCPS student to thrive in a dynamic world-equipped with the knowledge, creativity, and resilience to forge their path to success in college, career, and life.
Mission: We deliver and support rigorous, innovative learning experiences that cultivate critical thinking and real-world skills. Through personalized instruction and purposeful pathways, we ensure every student is prepared to excel.
3
Read the Book
By Michael Hyatt
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Vision_Driven_Leader/WgelDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Mission+and+vision+statements&printsec=frontcover
Are you a leader or a Manager?: The Cost of Confusion
(The book sample is not paginated, but you can scrawl down to the equivalent of page 2 and read paragraph 4, "thankfully, Kennedy knew...")
Question 3
According to the Hyatt, what does every vision-driven leader know?
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Wabi-Sabi Aesthetics
- In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is a world-view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete."
- Wabi-Sabi refers to the kind of beauty found in asymmetrical, uneven or unbalanced things. The asymmetry of a ceramic bowl is an example of wabi. Sabi is the beauty of aged things and speaks to the impermanence of life through the passage of time. An example of sabi is the lovely patina found on a rusted old metal wall.
- Wabi-sabi is a concept that motions us to constantly search for the beauty in imperfection and accept the more natural cycle of life. It reminds us that all things including us and life itself, are impermanent, incomplete, and imperfect. Perfection, then, is impossible and impermanence is the only way.
- With roots in Chinese Zen Buddhism, the story of wabi-sabi can be traced back to a 16th-century Japanese legend about Sen no Rikyu and his tea master, Takeeno Joo. The tale tells how, upon his master's request, Rikyu cleaned and raked the garden to perfection.
- Zen Buddhists use a round symbol called enso (円相) to express their version of wabi-sabi. This perfect circle of black ink painted with a thick brush is made of infinite motion: always moving, never standing still. Sometimes, a painting will feature a gap in the circle.
- Get rid. De-clutter your living space and it will help to de-clutter your mind.
- Head outside. Give yourself time to sit and think in the outdoors, amongst nature.
- Live seasonally. Observe the seasons as they come and as they pass.
- Embrace the imperfect. ...
- Enjoy your emotions.
Question 5
How could the wabi-sabi principles be applied to the teaching of the arts?
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History of Wabi-Sabi
Question 6
After watching this video, why is wabi-sabi an important aesthetics to know as a reference?
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Read the Book
Wabi-sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers
By Leonard Koren
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Wabi_sabi_for_Artists_Designers_Poets_Ph/jQelDAgr63oC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=wabi-sabi&printsec=frontcover
Question 7
After reading page 15, why is it difficult for Japanese people to articulate what wabi-sabi means?
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A Note to Remember
Using simplicity as one of the key principles for organizing the environment brings many benefits to children's well-being and development.
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Case Study
Nobuyuki Kobayashi
Born in 1970 and from Yokoze-town, Saitama prefecture. After independent of 1993, I have been shooting mainly portrait and fashion photography for advertisement and magazines. But from 2001, I learned the basics of fine arts and alternative print technique in New York. Hosokawa-paper (Japanese traditional paper) is utilized for the support of the print. I have combined the Hosokawa-paper with platinum palladium print, which has succeeded in creating a graceful and unique atmosphere within my work.
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Discussion Questions
- How can wabi-sabi principles advance your commitment to make the arts part of the general curriculum?
- How does the concept of wabi-sabi apply to installation art work?
- How can wabi-sabi principles advance your commitment to make the arts part of the general curriculum?
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VIII
Journaling
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Glossary
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Sources
Statements in School. https://helpfulprofessor.com/school-vision-and-mission-statements/
LINK: https://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/learning-library/articles/wabi-sabi-keeping-it-simple
Simplicity by Design. https://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/2021/Simplicity-by-Design
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Student's Work
(Examples from last semester)
Group 1
Mission and Vision Statements
Ben G, Lyric J, Tiffany O, Zoe A, Harmon G. Myles M. Joshisa.T
Coral Gables School of Performing Arts (theater, dance)
Charter school 9-12
Vision: Our vision is to foster a greater depth of experience in various performing arts.
Mission:
-Our mission is to create an accepting and encouraging environment that promotes academic and personal success in the performing arts.
-We strive to provide opportunities to grow and engage with the greater community through our creative and enriching curriculum.
-We prioritize safety, and overall well-being
-Provide equal opportunities for all students
Divergent Thoughts 

Ben G, Lyric J, Tiffany O, Zoe A, Harmon G. Myles M., Jojo.TName: Greenwich High School
Grade: HS
Public
Our vision: To create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where every student feels empowered. We will aid all of our students in developing their own individual path to success. We will provide opportunities for professional development to ensure every student feels prepared for the world to come after they graduate.
Mission Statement:
- Preparing Students for life
- Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment
- Competitive environment
- Support and encourage creativity
- Providing our staff with all the tools they may need to provide our students with promising academic achievement
Art: Film and Theater

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