IB Visual Art

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course, however it is highly recommended that students have undertaken one or more Year 10 Art and Design study.

Course Description and Aims

The IB Visual Arts course encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. It is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking, while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to engage in, experiment with and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary practices and media. The course is designed for students who want to go on to further study of visual arts in higher education, as well as for those who are seeking lifelong enrichment through visual arts.

The aims of all IB Arts courses are to enable students to:

enjoy lifelong engagement with the arts;
become informed, reflective and critical practitioners in the arts;
understand the dynamic and changing nature of the arts;
explore and value the diversity of the arts across time, place and cultures;
express ideas with confidence and competence;
develop perceptual and analytical skills.

In addition, the aims of the IB Visual Arts – Standard and Higher Level courses are to enable students to:

make artwork that is influenced by personal and cultural contexts;
become informed and critical observers and makers of visual culture and media;
develop skills, techniques and processes in order to communicate concepts and ideas.

Curriculum Model Overview

Standard Level Component	Higher Level Component
Visual Arts in Context Examine and compare the work of artists from different cultural contexts. Consider the contexts influencing their own work and the work of others. Make art through a process of investigation, thinking critically and experimenting with techniques. Apply identified techniques to their own developing work. Develop an informed response to work and exhibitions they have seen and experienced. Begin to formulate personal intentions for creating and displaying their own artworks.	Visual Arts in Context Examine and compare the work of artists from different cultural contexts. Consider the contexts influencing their own work and the work of others. Make art through a process of investigation, thinking critically and experimenting with techniques. Apply identified techniques to their own developing work. Develop an informed response to work and exhibitions they have seen and experienced. Begin to formulate personal intentions for creating and displaying their own artworks.
Visual Arts Methods Look at different techniques for making art. Investigate and compare how and why different techniques have evolved and the processes involved. Experiment with diverse media and explore techniques for making art. Develop concepts through processes informed by skills, techniques and media. Evaluate how their ongoing work communicates meaning and purpose. Consider the nature of “exhibition” and think about the process of selection and the potential impact of their work on different audiences	Visual Arts Methods Look at different techniques for making art. Investigate and compare how and why different techniques have evolved and the processes involved. Experiment with diverse media and explore techniques for making art. Develop concepts through processes informed by skills, techniques and media. Evaluate how their ongoing work communicates meaning and purpose. Consider the nature of exhibition and think about the process of selection and the potential impact of their work on different audiences.
Communicating Visual Arts Explore ways of communicating through visual and written means. Make artistic choices about how to most effectively communicate knowledge and understanding. Produce a body of artwork through a process of reflection and evaluation, showing a synthesis of skill, media and concept. Select and present resolved works for exhibition. Explain the ways in which the works are connected. Discuss how artistic judgments impact the overall presentation.	Communicating Visual Arts Explore ways of communicating through visual and written means. Make artistic choices about how to most effectively communicate knowledge and understanding. Produce a body of artwork through a process of reflection and evaluation, showing a synthesis of skill, media and concept. Select and present resolved works for exhibition. Explain the ways in which the works are connected. Discuss how artistic judgments impact the overall presentation.

Assessment at a Glance — Standard Level

Type of Assessment	Format of Assessment	Time (hours)	Weighting Final Grade (%)
External			60
Comparative Study	Ten to 15 screens which examine and compare at least three artworks, at least two of which should be by different artists. A list off sources used.		20
Process Portfolio	Nine to 18 screens which evidence the student’s sustained experimentation, exploration, manipulation and refinement of a variety of art-making activities.		40
Internal			40
Exhibition	A curatorial rationale that does not exceed 400 words. Four to seven artworks. Exhibition text (stating the tile, medium, size and intention) for each artwork.		40

Assessment at a Glance — Higher Level