The Lewis Elementary art program follows the Discipline-Based Art Education (DBAE) methods developed by the Getty Education Institute. DBAE seeks to teach art through four disciplines:
Art Production – students learn techniques to create original work
Art History – students study artists to learn about the artist’s environment, influences, and style
Art Criticism – students evaluate forms of art to gain appreciation and critical-thinking skills
Aesthetics – students employ inquiry-based thinking through discussion of form, methods, medium and individual responses to art.

Lewis teachers develop a year-long art curriculum based on month by month focuses such as line, color, tints and shades, shape, texture and perspective. For 20 years, the annual Lewis Art Night gives students the opportunity to share their work with parents and community. The school transforms into a gallery and student docents explain art concepts to visitors. Also on display are permanent installations created by past students and artists-in-residence.

DBAE encompasses many art forms: dance, drama, music, and visual arts. Through work with the Young Audiences nonprofit, a Drama Teacher-in-Residence works with classes K-5 to produce plays. In 2002, Lewis Elementary won the prestigious Sunburst Award for exemplary work in art education.