The Arts
The arts give students meaningful ways to explore, communicate, build skills and express who they are.
Through visual art, music, performance, museum experiences and community partnerships, students who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind engage with the arts through touch, sound, movement and other multisensory approaches.
Visual and Performing Arts for Every Student
Arts education is an important part of the student experience at OSB.
Programs and activities are adapted so students can participate in ways that support their individual abilities, sensory access and communication needs. Students may create tactile artwork, sing in a choir, play instruments, perform on stage or experience museum collections through touch and detailed verbal description.
These opportunities help students:
- Develop creativity and self-expression
- Strengthen communication and social skills
- Build fine and gross motor skills
- Improve coordination, rhythm and spatial awareness
- Practice listening and following directions
- Grow in confidence through individual and group achievement
Music and Performance
Music has long played an important role in OSB’s history and community.
Each school year, students share their talents during OSB’s Winter and Spring Concerts, filling the auditorium with music, celebration and applause. The school’s annual holiday concert tradition dates back more than 100 years.
Under the direction of Music Instructor Kasey MacAdams, students develop musical knowledge, performance skills and confidence through classroom instruction and ensemble experiences.
The Benefits of Music Education
Music provides students with both creative and developmental benefits.
Depending on each student’s needs and goals, music education can support:
- Coordination and rhythm
- Gross motor development
- Language and communication
- Spatial awareness through movement
- Listening and attention
- Following directions
- Emotional expression
- Social connection and teamwork
Music classes introduce students to different genres and traditions while providing a positive outlet for self-expression.
Art in the Classroom
Every OSB student has access to high-quality visual arts instruction.
For students who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind, art is designed as a tactile, multisensory experience. Students explore materials through touch, smell, movement and available vision while creating original work in an accessible classroom environment.
Under the direction of Art Instructor Susan DiFabio, students explore a wide range of materials, techniques and creative processes while building artistic skills, confidence and self-expression.
Art Creates Pathways to Growth
Each project gives students opportunities to make choices, solve problems, try new techniques and build confidence in their own abilities. The finished piece represents more than a final product—it reflects the skills, decisions, effort and personal expression developed throughout the creative process.
Student Art in the Community
OSB shares and sells student-created artwork at local craft shows and community events throughout the year.
Longtime Art Director Susan DiFabio helps exhibit student work, giving the broader community an opportunity to experience and support the creativity of OSB students. Proceeds from sales are reinvested into future art projects, materials and opportunities.
When someone purchases a piece of student artwork, they are supporting a creative process that helps students strengthen important skills, build confidence and communicate through art.
Art Across the OSB Campus
Art is woven into the physical environment of OSB.
The campus features mosaic artwork by Isaiah Zagar, the internationally recognized mosaic mural artist and creator of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. His distinctive work is known for combining tile, mirrors, found objects and other materials into immersive, highly textured environments.
Zagar’s mosaics bring color, texture and visual interest to spaces across campus while connecting OSB to Philadelphia’s broader artistic history.
Students have also contributed to collaborative mosaic projects, including artwork created through partnerships with Art-Reach and Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.
Arts Partnerships
Community partnerships expand the ways OSB students can experience, study and perform the arts.
Partner organizations have provided specialized instruction, artist residencies, museum access, performance opportunities and professional expertise.
OSB has collaborated with organizations including:
- Art-Reach
- Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
- Main Line Art Center
- Philly Touch Tours
- Barnes Foundation
- Van Gogh Museum
- Musicopia
- MusicWorks
- The Philly POPS
- The Philadelphia Orchestra
- Amaryllis Theatre
- Art Matters
- Philadelphia Ballet
Main Line Art Center Mosaic Partnership
OSB students have also benefited from a teaching partnership with the Main Line Art Center.
Through this collaboration, students have contributed to an ambitious series of mosaics designed for the school’s entryway. The multi-year project gives students experience with planning, texture, composition and collaborative public art.
Creativity, Access and Expression
The arts at OSB are not limited to a single classroom, concert or project.
They are part of how students learn, connect with others and share their perspectives. By adapting materials, removing barriers and partnering with Philadelphia’s arts community, OSB creates opportunities for every student to participate in meaningful creative experiences.
Support the Arts at OSB
Community support helps OSB provide art materials, musical instruments, visiting artists, performances, field trips and accessible cultural experiences for students.
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