The Arts in CISVA Schools: Nurturing Creativity and Faith
Beyond academics and athletics, the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA) are vibrant centers for the arts, where every student can discover their creative gifts and celebrate beauty as a reflection of God’s presence.
Why Arts Matter in Catholic Education
The arts, theatre, music, visual art, and dance, help students develop not just technical skills, but also empathy, confidence, and spiritual insight. Catholic tradition has long treasured the arts as a way to express faith, tell meaningful stories, and build community.
Artistic Opportunities in CISVA Schools
Choirs and Musicals: Many CISVA schools host annual Christmas concerts, spring musicals, and choir performances. These events not only showcase student talent but also bring together families and parish communities in joyful celebration.
Visual Art Exhibitions: Hallways and classrooms become mini-galleries, displaying students’ drawings, paintings, and sculptures inspired by scripture, saints, and the natural world.
Liturgical Art: Students often contribute by designing banners, creating altar decorations, or painting icons for school Masses, linking their artistic expression to worship and prayer.
Drama and Storytelling: School plays and dramatic readings help students develop public speaking skills, imagination, and a sense of teamwork. Themes often explore Gospel stories, the lives of saints, and values like courage and friendship.
Recent Highlights from CISVA Schools
St. Thomas More Collegiate recently staged a musical adaptation of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” involving students, staff, and parents in a joyous retelling of a beloved biblical story.
St. Pius X School held an “Art Walk,” inviting families to tour classrooms transformed by student artwork, with pieces inspired by the Beatitudes and Catholic Social Teaching.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help’s choir performed with the local parish for Easter and Christmas, bringing liturgical music to a wider community.
Cultivating Whole-Person Growth
Participating in the arts helps CISVA students:
Build self-esteem and interpersonal skills.
Develop discipline and perseverance through rehearsals or art projects.
Deepen connections between creativity and faith, seeing beauty in themselves and the world as a gift from God.
A Place for Every Talent
Whether a student shines as a singer, technician, painter, or storyteller, CISVA schools celebrate every contribution. Through the arts, children and teens not only enrich their own learning, but also bless the entire school community, reminding us all to recognize and cherish the sacredness of creativity in daily life.
In CISVA schools, the arts are more than extracurricular—they are a joyful path to discovering God’s beauty, building friendships, and growing as unique and talented children of God.