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Course Design

The IB Visual Arts Course

In this course we are teaching students to look, create and think about art independently and critically, with awareness developed through inquiry, investigation, reflection and independent exploration.

The introduction of a Comparative Study is a relatively new aspect of the course, designed to teach visual analysis and critical thinking.

Developing an awareness around Curatorial Practice is also a newish aspect of the course and part of working towards The Exhibition

Useful pages for designing your course

Curriculum Planning

Mapping a Course Outline

Unit Planning

Read more about personalized approaches to teaching at Inspired Teaching.

Core syllabus is composed of 3 interconnected areas

Visual Art in Context

The cycle of inquiry, considering and comparing work from a variety of cultures, historical, social contexts. Analyzing, interpreting, comparing, evaluating, using art vocabulary. Reflection and understanding.

Visual Arts Processes

Experimenting with techniques, media, processes, developing a body of resolved and unresolved work, self review and critique, documentation in visual arts journal.

Presenting and Communicating Visual Arts

This 3rd part has to do with understanding curatorial processes, what makes an effective exhibition and selecting and presenting the students own work.

Students keep a record of their process in a Visual Arts Journal

At the heart of the curriculum we are teaching students to create and think about art independently and critically, with awareness developed through inquiry, investigation, reflection and independent exploration.

The introduction of a Comparative Study is a relatively new aspect of the course, designed to teach visual analysis and critical thinking.

Developing an awareness around Curatorial Practice is also a newish aspect of the course and part of working towards The Exhibition

How is this all Assessed?

Assessment is divided into 3 parts as detailed below -follow links to site pages for each component for more detailed discussion, or go to Assessment pages

Part 1,The Comparative Study for points 20% Externally Assessed

compare and contrast the work of (at least 2) different artists from different cultural contexts (HL students will also include a reflection of how this relates to their own work)

SL 10-15 screens

HL 10-15 screens & 3-5 screens comparing own work

Part 2, Process Portfolio for points 40% Externally Assessed

the students journey of art‐making: their engagement with different media and techniques, documentation of process, reflections on artists & artworks and the development of ideas.

SL: 9‐18 pages/screens submitted.

HL: 13‐25 pages/screens submitted.

Part 3, The Exhibition with a Curatorial Rationale for points 40% Internally Assessed by Teacher

Students reflect on their chosen body of work and provide a rationale for the decisions regarding the selection of certain pieces for exhibition.

SL: 4‐7 artworks, exhibition text and a curatorial rationale of max 400 words

HL: 8-11 artworks, exhibition text & curatorial rationale max 700 words

This section of the website also includes

Starting Strategies teaching ideas for getting stsrted

Structure and Freedom pedagogical approaches to teaching art

Theory of Knowldege links and lessons

The Extended Essay supervising an essay, samples and more