Arts

Academics build what a child knows. The Arts shape who they become. At First Steps Elementary Academy, creativity, self-expression, focus, and confidence are skills every child develops through our Arts programs.

Page Summary
  • Visual art, music, and performing arts across from Pre-School through Grade 8, for students in Red Deer, Blackfalds, and Penhold.
  • In-classroom visual art and music instruction with cultural experiences.
  • Developing creativity, self-expression, focus, listening skills, confidence, and collaboration.

Why the Arts Matter at First Steps

There is a growing body of research confirming what good teachers have always known: children who engage regularly with the Arts perform better across all subjects. They develop stronger focus, sharper listening skills, greater emotional awareness, and a deeper ability to communicate. These are skills that make their education more effective.

From Pre-School through Grade 8, every student participates in arts programming that is purposeful, progressive, and fun. We want students to leave every arts experience feeling capable and confident.

What the Arts Develop

Creativity

Learning to generate ideas, take creative risks, and think beyond a single right answer is a skill that serves students in every subject.

Self-expression

The Arts give children the opportunity to express what they feel and think, especially at ages when words alone don't always capture those feelings and thoughts. That outlet matters deeply for emotional health and well-being.

Focus and discipline

Creating something, whether a painting, a performance, or a craft, requires attention and patience. Students practice those habits every time they engage in an arts activity.

Listening skills

Music, drama, and collaborative art projects all demand active listening. Students carry those habits into every classroom and every conversation.

Confidence

Standing behind a piece of work you created, or performing in front of an audience, builds a kind of confidence that no test score can. Students who experience that feeling once will seek it again.

Collaboration and community

Many of the Arts experiences at First Steps are shared. Students learn to contribute to something larger than themselves and take pride in what they build together.

Arts at First Steps. In and Out of the Classroom

In-classroom arts programming 

Visual art and music are integrated into the curriculum across all grade levels. Projects are designed to connect to other subject areas wherever possible, reinforcing the cross-curricular approach that runs throughout the First Steps experience.

The Nutcracker Ballet 

Students attend a live performance of the Nutcracker Ballet — many for the very first time. Experiencing professional live performance introduces students to a world of artistic discipline, storytelling, and cultural tradition that a classroom alone cannot replicate.

Theatre Productions 

Students attend live theatre productions throughout the year, building appreciation for performance, narrative, and the work that goes into bringing a story to life on stage.

Festival of Trees 

First Steps students often perform at the Festival of Trees. It is a community event that gives students a real audience and a real experience of sharing their work with the world. The energy in that room is something students don't forget.

Art Exhibits and Cultural Outings 

When opportunities arise, students visit local art exhibits and cultural events in Red Deer. These experiences broaden their understanding of the Arts and help them see themselves as participants in a larger creative world.

Come And See What Creativity Looks Like In Action. 

Book a private tour of First Steps and ask about what arts projects and performances are coming up. If your child is an artist at heart, or has never had the chance to find out, this is a school where that matters.

Book a Tour