At Shanghai French School, creativity isn’t just encouraged, it’s part of who we are. With modern facilities and passionate teachers, we give every student the space and confidence to explore, create, and express themselves through art from an early age.
Discovering Art in Primary School
From their very first years, students are introduced to art as a way to observe, imagine, and express emotions. Through colors, textures, and shapes, they learn to translate what they feel and see into their own creations.
Recently, our 1st and 2nd grade students visited the immersive David Hockney exhibition at the West Bund Museum, thanks to a special partnership. It was a colorful, sensory journey into the artist’s world, and a playful way to explore the five senses through art.
Growing Through Art in Middle School
In middle school, art becomes a true discipline. Every student takes at least one hour of visual arts each week, while those who want to go further can join additional art workshops, up to 4.5 hours of practice weekly.
These workshops allow students to dive deeper into their projects, experiment freely, and develop their personal style.
One of our 9th graders, Mason Cheng, made us especially proud this year. His artworkDream of Cloud was selected for the international “Expo Dual City” exhibition, inaugurated in September at the China Art Museum (中华艺术宫), a fantastic recognition of his talent and dedication.
Exploring and Creating in High School
For high school students who choose the Arts specialization, the journey gets even richer, with 4 hours per week in 11th grade and 6 hours in 12th grade. The program combines creative practice, art history, and hands-on projects, preparing students who want to pursue artistic studies or simply keep creativity at the heart of their learning.
Throughout the year, students also take part in exclusive workshops led by visiting artists:
Painting with the Body – Workshop with MaoMao
In September, artist MaoMao invited our Première students to explore painting in a new way, using their bodies and unconventional tools to create expressive, sensory works.
Monsters, Hybrids and the Fantastic – Workshop with Tian Youzheng
In late October, students met Belgian illustrator Tian Youzheng, known for his drawings of Japanese Yōkai creatures. He shared his process and guided them through character design, helping each student imagine and bring to life their own fantastic creations.
Here, art is seen as a way to think, feel, and grow. Through inspiring projects, partnerships with major cultural institutions, and the dedication of our teaching teams, students are encouraged to develop their creativity, curiosity, and a unique vision of the world.