Student Life
Arts
AIS Vienna Arts Philosophy
Participation in the Arts contributes to the total success of the student. Although a quality product is often inherent in artistic endeavours, it is the process itself that is the primary focus.
We believe that it is through direct and personal participation in the process of creating art that lasting involvement and appreciation emerge.
In line with emerging international school best practice, AIS Vienna maintains strong child protection policies and procedures and our school strives to provide a safe and secure environment for all students.
Objectives
Cultivate self-expression, self-discovery and self-esteem.
Recognize the interaction between cultures in the arts.
Experience through active participation.
Analyze, evaluate, and compare art genres, using applicable criteria in order to develop artistic discernment.
Make reflective judgments about the quality of works of art, and to address questions dealing with the nature of art and its significance in life.
“The art of making art is putting it together.”
Visual Arts
The visual art classes at AIS Vienna are dedicated to helping students enjoy, express and develop personal, creative vision. Students are exposed to infinite possibilities for combining ideas, images and materials together in a work of art. Critical thinking, craftsmanship and Design Elements and Principles are an essential part of each studio art investigation into image making. Through studio experience students become skillful and confident using the tools and techniques needed in painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, and ceramics.
Important artists, art movements and art traditions from ancient and modern cultures around the world are integrated into all art classes. Encouraging students to be intellectually curious, to take risks in their work and to develop a lifelong commitment to personal expression is an important goal of this department. Rotating exhibitions of student art work fill the hallways of the school throughout the year.
All students from Kindergarten through 7th grade participate in Studio Art classes. From 8th grade through 12th grade, visual art classes can be chosen. Classes in IB Visual Art are offered in 11th and 12th grade.
Click on the video to see our IB visual artists talking about what art means to them and the journey they have been on over the past two years.
“The minute I sat in front of a canvas, I was happy. Because it was a world, and I could do as I like in it.”
Music
Vienna is known as the City of Music, and at AIS Vienna, students take part in this cultural heritage firsthand. Music classes are offered from Pre-K through Grade 12 including General Music, Strings, Choir, Band, and Guitar. We believe all children can find success with music, and every age-group has opportunities for beginning, intermediate, and advanced musicians.
We aim for students to:
Listen to and appreciate music
Possess the knowledge and skills to be proficient musicians
Express their ideas and collaborate with others.
In the classroom, students have the opportunity to compose, improvise, perform, collaborate, share, and connect music with their daily life. In doing so, they explore new passions, gain fresh skills, and prepare for a lifetime enjoyment of music.
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Our Elementary School has a rich and varied music curriculum which provides students musical experiences that include creating, responding, and performing. Using a multitude of instruments, songs, games, and movement, students have the opportunity to explore music and make connections between countries and cultures.
Students in Pre-K to Grade 5 have three lessons per 8-day cycle. They engage in musical experiences to help develop areas in the brain related to language and reasoning, increased coordination, and improved pattern recognition. Through teamwork and collaboration, students learn to work together, be curious, take risks, and build self-confidence. In Early Childhood, the students are introduced to a variety of action songs and rhymes, simple rhythmic patterns, percussion instrument exploration, and movement and dance. From Grade 1 to Grade 5, the key elements of music are explored, and creating, responding, and performing skills are developed.
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The AIS Vienna Strings Program is offered in Grades 3-12. It is a vibrant program where students learn to play the violin, viola, cello, or bass.
In Elementary School, students build a foundation for good musicianship with beginning technique, reading music, and creativity with improvisation and composition. All Grade 3 students take Strings Class and learn a beginning instrument, and they have the option to continue in Grade 4 and 5. Elementary players have regular performances in the school community and the opportunity to participate in a festival with the Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS).
In Middle and High School, students progress through intermediate and advanced levels, which culminate in performing standard repertoire for professional orchestras. Included in their learning is a study of music theory, aural skills, and composition. Secondary students also participate in AMIS festivals, and advanced students may audition for international honor orchestras. Middle and High School players perform regularly in the AIS Vienna community, as well as notable performance venues in Vienna.
To support the program, AIS Vienna has approximately 315 string instruments available for student rental, and a team of private teachers offers individual lessons after school for extra tuition.
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The AIS Vienna Choirs are available to all interested Middle and High School students. The rehearsals teach beautiful singing techniques, choral harmonies, and performance and presentation of songs. AIS Vienna is active in the Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS), and students travel to sing in venues around Austria and internationally. Recent invitations to sing master works in Carnegie Hall in New York City and The Festival of Choirs in Oman provide world choir opportunities and exposure to multicultural music. Students perform for our school community in quarterly concerts. High School singers learn a large work every other year and are joined by AIS Vienna adults to spread the musical word in our entire community. Kathy Heedles, our Middle and High School Choir teacher, has taught at AIS Vienna since 1986.
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The AIS Vienna Band Program is offered in grades 6-12. Students in Grade 6, 7, 8 with no instrumental experience may join the Beginning Band and learn a wind, brass, or percussion instrument, while students with experience may join the Middle School Advanced or High School Concert Bands. All three groups perform concerts for the school community. Advanced students have the opportunity to participate in Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) sponsored honor band festivals and solo/ensemble contests. The Middle School and High School bands have in the past performed in the Golden Hall of Vienna's Musikverein. The Band program has a team of private teachers who offer individual lessons after school.
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This non-performance class gives students the opportunity to learn how to play the guitar, read music, and understand music theory. It is offered to Middle School students as a trimester elective class and to High School students as a year long Fine Arts credit course. Students learn to play duets and trios, accompany songs by strumming chords, and compose melodies (High School students will also add chord accompaniments). Students have the opportunity to learn a skill that they can use the rest of their lives.
Theater Arts
AIS Vienna has a vibrant and long-standing co-curricular theater program. In the Elementary School, students can explore creative dramatics through a variety of after-school activities, along with the chance to participate in a large ensemble production. Middle School actors take the stage each February with their own full-scale ensemble play. In High School, thespians present annual fall and spring productions, ranging from comedies to dramas, with one show each year often featuring a full musical.
In addition to its robust after-school program, AIS Vienna integrates theater arts directly into the curriculum. Students engage with drama as part of their academic experience, developing confidence, collaboration, and creative expression through structured performance, storytelling, and improvisation. As they progress through the divisions, learners have opportunities to study theater more deeply, exploring character development, stagecraft, and the cultural significance of the performing arts. These curricular experiences lay the foundation for students to thrive both on stage and in all areas of communication and teamwork.
AIS Vienna is a proud member of ISTA, the International School Theatre Association.
Arts Stories
