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
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
Selected Pages

Starting Strategies 13 September 2020
Most students need help getting started and its that much easier with a specific task or assignment An Open Ended Assignment...
more

The 3 Course Components 12 August 2020
This page is an introduction only, follow the links to find out more about each component.The current curriculum, first...
more

Visual Journal 6 October 2020
The Journal can be a sketchbook of whatever size you prefer your students to work in; it could also be a series of notebooks...
more

Curriculum Review 1 January 2020
Revision and renewal are an important part of progress in education, and the teaching of art always occupies innovative...
more

Understanding the Syllabus 28 November 2018
consists of a core syllabus made of 3 linking areas. A syllabus is an outline or summary of the main points of a discourse,...
more

Curriculum Planning 16 August 2018
Design the course that meets the IB requirments, fits your school, your schedule, and your students using the resources...
more