20 Creative and Integrated Project-Based Learning Art Ideas for High School

One of the most common inquiries that I get from educators is asking for project-based learning art ideas.
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Here’s the thing about project-based learning: it is subject-integrated. You can incorporate art into ANY project-based learning experience if that’s what you want to do.

Project-based learning is real-world, authentic, involves community relationships and collaborations, and ideally solves a problem for a relevant audience. 

It is an experience that, by nature, involves a variety of disciplines. If art is one of those aspects you’d like to incorporate, it can be a part of the PBL design process for you and/or your students.

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For example, let’s say that your high school students identify an increasing need for feelings of safety and security in the community, and the way to get that is to better get to know the neighbors.

You and your students, then, might co-design a project-based learning art experience that attempts to solve that problem. 

Your students decide to organize a neighborhood mural creation event. The mission would be to create a mural together as a community. 

The students would organize the event. They would set the date, determine a location for the mural, create a prototype of the mural that symbolizes community safety, organize the materials, etc. 

The students would outline the mural on the designated wall and invite neighbors to come on this or that date and time to paint within the outline together.

You would bring in community collaborators to work with students on the project-based learning art experience such as a local muralist and a local business willing to donate a wall for the mural.

This experience involves art, yes. It also involves communication, teamwork, planning, marketing, writing, math, design, and so much more. 

It involves art because that is how the PBL was designed, but by default, it incorporates so much more than art alone. 

Make sense?

Below are 50 project-based learning art driving questions. Each involves an art component, but by nature is multidisciplinary. Take these ideas as inspiration and make them your own. 

If you’re looking for materials to guide the project-based learning art experience, I recommend checking out my project-based learning starter kit. ​

A Print-and-GoTool Kit for PBL

20 Project-Based Learning Art Driving Question Ideas

Every project-based learning art idea below is written in the form of a PBL driving question. Driving questions do a nice job of summarizing the experience. Of course, feel free modify these driving questions and ideas to work for you and your students.

​I also highly recommend grabbing my PBL Starter Kit to help students seamlessly work through these experiences. 

1. How can our class utilize the art of block printing to create postcards with original designs that foster cross-cultural connections, ultimately promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse world around us? 

 2. How can our history class recreate historical photos  and share them in a community art gallery to collectively honor and preserve the memories of significant moments in history?

3. How can our class, in partnership with local galleries and art organizations, curate an art exhibition that showcases the talents of young artists in our community, providing them with a platform to share their unique voices and perspectives?

4. How can our dance class collaborate with choreographers and dance instructors to choreograph a performance piece that explores themes of identity, self-expression, and empowerment?

5. How can our class work with professional photographers and videographers to create a multimedia project that documents and celebrates the beauty of nature in our local environment, raising awareness about the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship?

​6. How can I organize a fashion show featuring sustainable and ethically sourced clothing, promoting eco-conscious fashion choices and highlighting the intersection of art and sustainability?

​7. How can our music class collaborate with musicians and composers to produce a multimedia concert experience that combines live music, visual projections, and interactive elements that reflect the beauty and uniqueness of our community?

​8. How can I, as a creative writer, collaborate with poets, authors, and spoken word artists in the community to organize a poetry slam event that gives voice to marginalized communities?

9. How can I create sculptures made from recycled materials and install them around the community to raise awareness about sustainability and the importance of recycling?

10. How can our class design and implement an art therapy program for individuals struggling with mental health challenges, providing them with a creative outlet for self-expression and healing?

11. How can I, as a student illustrator, collaborate with children's book authors to illustrate stories that promote diversity, inclusion, and empathy?

12. How can our class partner with local museums and cultural institutions to curate an art exhibition featuring works by emerging artists from our community, fostering appreciation for the arts and supporting the growth of local talent?

13. In what ways can I, as a student graphic designer, collaborate with non-profit organizations to create visually engaging campaigns that raise awareness about social issues such as poverty, homelessness, and environmental conservation?

14. How can I team up with local non-profit organizations to develop visually compelling campaigns addressing the housing insecurity issue in my city of Minneapolis?

15. How can our class work with urban planners and city officials to execute a public art project that revitalizes neglected urban areas, sparking community pride and fostering a sense of belonging among residents?

16. How can our class integrate art and math by creating original art pieces that focus on mathematical principles and orchestrating an art auction fundraiser of those pieces to promote mathematical literacy within our community??

17. How can our class build a virtual museum of student-created visual art pieces that merge our local history with art, providing an immersive experience for museum visitors and fostering a deeper understanding of key historical events and figures in our local community?

18. How can our class design and construct musical instruments using recycled materials to showcase and inspire others to explore the joy of music-making and environmental sustainability?

19. How I produce an inclusive art installation that embodies the diverse beliefs and spiritual traditions within our community, aiming to foster interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding among viewers of all backgrounds?

20. How can our biology class craft sensory-based artworks to offer users an immersive experience that depicts neurodiversity, aiming to cultivate curiosity and deepen understanding of diverse neurological perspectives?

All of the driving questions above are broad but could be rewritten to be more specific. 

For example, let’s say one of your students or your class will be focusing on Women’s History Month. If we look at the second driving question example above, students could focus on photos of women in history rather than historical photos overall. 

Example Modification: “How can our history class replicate historical photographs depicting women's roles throughout history and exhibit them in a community art gallery as a collective tribute to their contributions?”

There are so many different directions you can go with art PBLs especially if the goal is to intersect artistic expression with other disciplines. 

Which of the PBL ideas above catches your attention? Let us know in the comments! 

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