The Lower School visual-arts program emphasizes art making and the creative process. Direct, physical engagement with media such as clay, papier-mache, wood, and found materials is a key component of the program. Nueva teachers and students celebrate inquiry, experimentation, exploration, and personal expression within a flexible and evolving project-based structure.

Students have freedom to experiment with a wide variety of materials as they find solutions to a range of technical and design problems. As students develop skills, they incorporate observation, invention, collaboration, and storytelling into their work.

Students are expected to develop increasing levels of expertise in six areas: concentration, cooperation, confidence, technique, expression, and intention. Projects are often linked to other classwork through team teaching and integrated curricula.