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Subiaco Academy
Arts & humanities

Seek What Is True, Good, and Beautiful

“They should regard all the utensils of the monastery and all its property as if they were sacred vessels of the altar.”

-Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 31

In the Catholic Benedictine tradition, our Arts and Humanities curriculum forms the whole person intellectually, spiritually, and creatively. These disciplines invite students to encounter beauty, pursue wisdom, and grow in reverence for God’s presence in the world.

Students explore the great conversations of human history while also discovering their own voice and artistic gifts. In classrooms, studios, and performance spaces, they are challenged to think critically, express authentically, and reflect deeply.

Humanities

student leading procession into the abbey during mass

Our humanities program invites students to engage with the foundations of civilization and faith, offering a broad and meaningful education in:

  • Classical literature, art, music, and philosophy
  • Faith formation and theology, including Scripture, catechesis, and Benedictine spirituality
  • Languages and cultural studies, including the introduction of Latin and Greek (beginning 2025)
  • Historical inquiry and civic thought, developing a grounded understanding of cultures and ideas
  • Sacred and performing arts, rooted in tradition and service

Through integrated study and discussion, students develop the habits of reflection, reverence, and communication that are essential for leadership, discipleship, and lifelong learning.

Visual Arts

From iconography to photography, illustration, and mixed media, students work with a variety of materials and techniques that connect classical traditions to contemporary design. Courses explore:

  • Computer Graphics
  • Visual Arts
  • Fundamentals of Art
  • Advanced Art
  • Advanced Placement Art History
  • Drawing
  • Ceramics

Studio time encourages discipline, craftsmanship, and reflection.

Performing Arts

Our performing arts program invites students to discover their voice, refine their skill, and share their talent through the transformative power of music. At the heart of the program is the Subiaco Jazz Ensemble, which explores uniquely American musical traditions.

Performances are held throughout the school year and often integrated into community events.

The primary goal of this year-long musical arts course is to foster an appreciation for expression through sound. As students grow in skill on their chosen instrument, they also grow in their ability to communicate emotion, build ensemble awareness, and understand the artistic legacy of musicians who came before them.

The ensemble is open to instrumentalists of varying skill levels and includes instruction on:

  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Bass guitar
  • Keyboard
  • Percussion
  • Trumpet and trombone
  • Alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone
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Arts Education That Forms The Inner Life

Students are taught to see the world through the lens of beauty and to respond with creativity, reverence, and purpose. The arts are one of the ways we teach students to seek what is true, good, and beautiful in themselves and in the world.

Art at Subiaco is not just about personal expression. It is about offering beauty back to God and the community.

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