Arts
GFS is profoundly alive with the energy of the arts. Creativity and performance are woven into our culture—every day, across every division. The choir tours internationally, the theater program takes on classic musicals and modern masterworks from around the world, and the art department transforms the campus into a giant art gallery each spring.
Explore Our Arts Curriculum
GFS offers a rich and deep curriculum in visual and performing arts. Threads of art history and music theory weave through classes in the earliest grades, while students explore advanced electives and embrace ambitious artistic challenges in the Middle and Upper Schools.
Art News
![Music Department Receives Merit Award!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1683215525/germantown/vuudnwluxqwns0fdfyos/D83A2879.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1683215525/germantown/vuudnwluxqwns0fdfyos/D83A2879.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1683215525/germantown/vuudnwluxqwns0fdfyos/D83A2879.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1683215525/germantown/vuudnwluxqwns0fdfyos/D83A2879.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1683215525/germantown/vuudnwluxqwns0fdfyos/D83A2879.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1683215525/germantown/vuudnwluxqwns0fdfyos/D83A2879.jpg","width":2200}])
GFS has been honored with the SupportMusic Merit Award from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
![Abigail R. Cohen ’91 Memorial Art Lecture with Kevin Snipes]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1683214628/germantown/e4c8bjbtk0jwt6cuqogg/Cohen-Art-1-web.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1683214628/germantown/e4c8bjbtk0jwt6cuqogg/Cohen-Art-1-web.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1683214628/germantown/e4c8bjbtk0jwt6cuqogg/Cohen-Art-1-web.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1683214628/germantown/e4c8bjbtk0jwt6cuqogg/Cohen-Art-1-web.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1683214628/germantown/e4c8bjbtk0jwt6cuqogg/Cohen-Art-1-web.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1683214628/germantown/e4c8bjbtk0jwt6cuqogg/Cohen-Art-1-web.jpg","width":2000}])
Our community gathered together to welcome artist Kevin Snipes for the annual Cohen Art Lecture.
![Middle School A Cappella Rocks A Cappella Fest]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1677874131/germantown/zprl7xiquot9aevakds3/D83A7492.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1677874131/germantown/zprl7xiquot9aevakds3/D83A7492.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1677874131/germantown/zprl7xiquot9aevakds3/D83A7492.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1677874131/germantown/zprl7xiquot9aevakds3/D83A7492.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1677874131/germantown/zprl7xiquot9aevakds3/D83A7492.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1677874131/germantown/zprl7xiquot9aevakds3/D83A7492.jpg","width":2200}])
Middle School A Cappella opened GFS' legendary A Cappella Fest on Friday, February 3.
![Music Students Have Virtual Visit with Santigold '93]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1677247017/germantown/sijjhqlomtubdtl0du4x/324559405_2833905280079373_304743790142462765_n.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1677247017/germantown/sijjhqlomtubdtl0du4x/324559405_2833905280079373_304743790142462765_n.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1677247017/germantown/sijjhqlomtubdtl0du4x/324559405_2833905280079373_304743790142462765_n.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1677247017/germantown/sijjhqlomtubdtl0du4x/324559405_2833905280079373_304743790142462765_n.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1677247017/germantown/sijjhqlomtubdtl0du4x/324559405_2833905280079373_304743790142462765_n.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1677247017/germantown/sijjhqlomtubdtl0du4x/324559405_2833905280079373_304743790142462765_n.jpg","width":1920}])
In January, students had a virtual visit with guest artist Santi White ’93 aka Santigold.
![Upper School Performs Thought-Provoking "Awakening of Spring"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1670257822/germantown/fjglpzuybd8kc13gj33w/Fall-Play-1-web.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1670257822/germantown/fjglpzuybd8kc13gj33w/Fall-Play-1-web.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1670257822/germantown/fjglpzuybd8kc13gj33w/Fall-Play-1-web.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1670257822/germantown/fjglpzuybd8kc13gj33w/Fall-Play-1-web.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1670257822/germantown/fjglpzuybd8kc13gj33w/Fall-Play-1-web.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1670257822/germantown/fjglpzuybd8kc13gj33w/Fall-Play-1-web.jpg","width":2000}])
Our Upper School Theatre Department put on a thought-provoking showing of Frank Wedekind’s Awakening of Spring.
![Student Art Donations Support Refugees in Philadelphia]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1655151069/germantown/wldl2pcamlqtiilkjhpq/IMG_8765.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1655151069/germantown/wldl2pcamlqtiilkjhpq/IMG_8765.jpg","width":480}])
The Community Engagement Club recently donated student artwork to support refugees in Philadelphia.
![Art Show Turns Campus Into Gallery Exhibition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1654111050/germantown/osk8w8ke31ou9yhw6xom/Art-Show-19-web.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1654111050/germantown/osk8w8ke31ou9yhw6xom/Art-Show-19-web.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1654111050/germantown/osk8w8ke31ou9yhw6xom/Art-Show-19-web.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1654111050/germantown/osk8w8ke31ou9yhw6xom/Art-Show-19-web.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1654111050/germantown/osk8w8ke31ou9yhw6xom/Art-Show-19-web.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1654111050/germantown/osk8w8ke31ou9yhw6xom/Art-Show-19-web.jpg","width":2000}])
After a two-year hiatus, the All-School Art Show was back in person.
![Paintings Provide "Perspective" During COVID]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1652815643/germantown/r2chlpnuxvf3iiusvgqk/HadleyM11.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1652815643/germantown/r2chlpnuxvf3iiusvgqk/HadleyM11.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1652815643/germantown/r2chlpnuxvf3iiusvgqk/HadleyM11.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1652815643/germantown/r2chlpnuxvf3iiusvgqk/HadleyM11.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1652815643/germantown/r2chlpnuxvf3iiusvgqk/HadleyM11.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1652815643/germantown/r2chlpnuxvf3iiusvgqk/HadleyM11.jpg","width":2160}])
Students in Caroline Santa's Upper School art class recently finished their perspective paintings of the Loeb Performing Arts Center.
![Poley Festival Recognizes Original Student Works]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1652712214/germantown/oczqhmsnvn5bapmycekp/Poley-Fest-1-web.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1652712214/germantown/oczqhmsnvn5bapmycekp/Poley-Fest-1-web.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1652712214/germantown/oczqhmsnvn5bapmycekp/Poley-Fest-1-web.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1652712214/germantown/oczqhmsnvn5bapmycekp/Poley-Fest-1-web.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1652712214/germantown/oczqhmsnvn5bapmycekp/Poley-Fest-1-web.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1652712214/germantown/oczqhmsnvn5bapmycekp/Poley-Fest-1-web.jpg","width":2000}])
This year's Poley Fest celebrated a number of original performances in dance, theatre, film, and costume design.