THE VISUAL ARTS

Head of Department: Dawn Clarke

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Year 7 VISUAL ARTS - Core Subject – One Term

This is a general art program where students will explore aspects from the following practical areas; painting, drawing, sculpture, design, printmaking and computer based art programs.

Students will experience and explore a variety of media and techniques designed to introduce them to the elements of art. Within each area students will be encouraged to experiment and use individual expression. Due emphasis will be placed on the acquisition and refinement of skills.

An introduction to art theory will include learning appropriate terminology and appreciation of art through class discussions relating to each student’s own work and that of their peers.

Both formative and summative assessment tasks will be undertaken.

Year 8 VISUAL ARTS Elective Subject – One or Two Semesters.

This general Art course will incorporate aspects of two-dimensional art (painting, drawing and printmaking), three-dimensional art (sculpture) and Design. This course reinforces prior learning with an emphasis on skills acquisition and refinement. Students will use a variety of skills, media and techniques to translate ideas and concepts into visual statements. Experimentation and individual expression are encouraged via a study of artists and their work, students will acquire appropriate language and terminology and grow in their understanding and appreciation of the Visual Arts. Greater emphasis will be placed on the development of research skills, written analysis and active participation in class discussions.

Both formative and summative assessment tasks will be undertaken.

Homework will consist of individual tasks or a continuation of class work and is an expected requirement of the course.

Year 8 VISUAL ARTS – DESIGN/CRAFT Elective Subject - One Semester

This course introduces students to a variety of design and craft areas including ceramics, jewellery making, and fabric decoration techniques. Traditional and contemporary forms of Design and Craft will be explored with the introduction of technology including photography.

Emphasis will be on the acquisition and refinement of new skills and rigor in the Design and craft making processes. Students will be expected to experiment and generate original ideas and designs for planned projects.

This is essentially a practical based elective. Appropriate documentation of the processes and written evaluation will, however, form part of the course requirements.

Both formative and summative tasks are undertaken and assessed according to specified criteria. Homework is an expected requirement of the course.

For students in Years 9 intending to continue their study of the Visual Arts at a Senior level it is recommended that they undertake at least one of the two elective courses.

Year 9 VISUAL ARTS - Elective Subject- One of Two Semesters

This General Art course will incorporate aspects of two-dimensional art (painting, drawing and printmaking), three-dimensional art (sculpture) and Design, including multimedia and photography.

For students who have previously undertaken Art at a Year 8 level, this course reinforces prior learning with an increased emphasis on skills acquisition and greater exploration of the creative processes to refine ideas.

Students will use a variety of skills, media and techniques to translate ideas and concepts into visual statements. Experimentation and individual expression are encouraged.

Via a critical study component and their own work, students will acquire appropriate language and terminology and grow in their understanding and appreciation of the Visual Arts. Greater emphasis will be placed on the development of research skills, written analysis and active participation in class discussions.

Both formative and summative assessment tasks will be undertaken.

Homework will consist of individual tasks or a continuation of class work and is an expected requirement of the course.

Years 9 VISUAL ARTS – DESIGN/CRAFT - Elective Subject – One Semester

This course introduces students to Design within the Visual Arts. Distinct areas of Graphics and Visual Communication, Product Design and Environmental Design will be explored along with Design within the Crafts.

Students will be introduced to the design process to generate creative and diverse ideas in response to the constraints of the design problem or ‘brief’. A variety of Design related Craft disciplines will also be introduced and explored, including jewellery, glass/ceramic , photography and fabric design.

The process of research, idea generation, exploration, refinement and evaluation to determine a final solution will be thoroughly documented.

The use of the computer as a valuable design tool will be encouraged utilising a range of graphics software to develop knowledge using available technologies.

Students will study design from a variety of perspectives in order to gain a greater understanding and appreciation. Students will acquire and develop skills in analysis using subject specific terminology.

Both formative and summative tasks are undertaken and assessed according to specified criteria.

Homework is an expected requirement of the course.

Students in Year 10 are encouraged to complete a full year (2 semesters) Pre- SACE Visual Arts course if intending to pursue a study of The Visual Arts at Stage 1.

Year 10 VISUAL ARTS Elective Subject – One or Two Semesters

This course is offered in Semester 1 and 2 and will incorporate a study of both Art and Design components per semester unit.

This course is a recommended pre-requisite for Stage 1 Art and/ or Design and provides opportunities for students to further develop their skills and abilities in the Visual Arts. Greater emphasis will be placed on the generation of original ideas and the development of appropriate support material for major art works.

The process of design is explored in greater depth as students refine their skills and abilities to research and communicate their ideas using a variety of media and forms of presentation. Students will have opportunities to integrate and build upon computing skills used in the presentation of final concepts.

Students are encouraged to develop their ability to work independently using selected media and approaches. The students have the opportunity to develop their skills using a wide range of media that they can apply to their ideas in the Visual Arts.

An historical overview of major Movements is undertaken at this level. Greater emphasis is placed on the refinement of written analysis and the use of subject specific terminology.

Both formative and summative assessment tasks will be undertaken. Homework is an expected requirement of the course.

Year 10 VISUAL ARTS – DESIGN Elective Subject – One or Two Semesters

This course is a continuation from the Year 9 Art-Design course but can also be started at this point. It is a recommended prerequisite for Stage 1 Design or Art.

Distinct areas of Graphics and Visual Communication, Product Design and Environmental Design and other areas of Design will be explored. This course reinforces prior learning in Design and Craft and specifically looks at the construction of ‘briefs’ and their formulation.

Design as applied within the Crafts is also an area of study where Photography, multimedia and jewellery are included. Students will have opportunities to integrate and build upon computing skills used in the presentation of final concepts.

This course looks at terminology used in the field of design and gives the students an opportunity to work on their own ideas using the skills they form in the earlier part of the course in a more independent manner.

Written analysis of both their ideas and using the ideas of other designers is undertaken at this level and leads to the more formal aspects of SACE Stage 1 Design.

Students in Year 11 will be required to complete a semester unit of either Art and/ or Design if intending to pursue a study of The Visual Arts at Stage 2. However, TWO semester units (a full year of study) is strongly recommended.

Stage 1 VISUAL ARTS - Elective Subject – One Semester or Two Semesters (10 or 20 Credits)

Pre-requisite – Year 10 Visual Arts

This course is a recommended pre-requisite for students intending to study at Stage 2 Level. The single semester course is a 10-credit subject and the two semester course is a 20 credit subject. Students can enrol in Visual Arts- Art and/or Visual Arts–Design.

This course is structured to cover three assessment components; Visual Thinking, Practical Resolution and Visual Arts in Context. The course is designed to cater to the specific needs of the student cohort allowing for some individually negotiated aspects.

The broad area of Art encompasses both artistic and crafting methods and outcomes. The processes of creation in both art and craft include the initiation and development of ideas, research, analysis, and exploration, experimentation with media and technique, resolution (i.e. the realisation of an artwork), and production. Students are encouraged to refine existing skills and to work more independently when developing their ideas and executing major works.

Visual Arts engages students in conceptual, practical, analytical, and contextual aspects of creative human endeavour. It emphasises visual thinking and investigation and the ability to develop ideas and concepts, refine skills, and produce imaginative solutions. An integral part of Visual Arts is the documentation of visual thinking. Students learn to communicate personal ideas, beliefs, values, thoughts, feelings, concepts, and opinions, provide observations of their lived or imagined experiences, and represent these in visual form. Through ideation and problem- solving, experimentation, and investigations in a diversity of media, processes, and techniques, students demonstrate a range of technical skills and aesthetic qualities.

The practical component will allow students to create a folio of works along with one major work. Students will investigate historical and contemporary art within the Visual Arts in Context part of the course.

The assessment of each summative task is criteria based according to SACE guidelines. Students are provided with opportunities to address the objectives and the required components of the course in order to achieve the levels of assessment as set down by SACE. Students are expected to meet specified deadlines and due dates.

Stage 1 VISUAL ARTS - DESIGN - Elective Subject – One or Two Semesters (10 Credits)

Pre-requisite – Year 10 Visual Arts

This course is a recommended pre-requisite for students intending to study at Stage 2 Level.

The broad area of Visual Arts -Design encompasses communication and graphic design, environmental design, and product design. It emphasises a problem-solving approach to initiation and the generation of ideas or concepts, and the development of visual representation skills to communicate resolutions.

This course is structured to cover three assessment components; Practical, Contemporary Practice and Investigative Study.

The course is designed to cater to the specific needs of the student cohort allowing for some individually negotiated aspects.

Students are provided with opportunities to concentrate on a specific aspect of design to allow for specialisation in a preferred area from:

• Visual and Graphic Communication (communication, illustration) • Built Environment (architectural, urban, garden, landscape, interior) • Product (furniture, fashion, industrial, jewellery,)

Through engaging in the design process students will have opportunities to develop and refine their skills in creative problem solving, visualising and presenting and communicating their ideas. Appropriate technologies will be utilised as required.

The practical component will allow students to create a folio of works along with one major work. Students will investigate historical and contemporary art within the Visual Arts in Context part of the course as applied to Design

The assessment of each summative task is criteria based according to SACE guidelines. Students are provided with opportunities to address the objectives and the required components of the course in order to achieve the levels of assessment as set down by SACE. Students are expected to meet specified deadlines and due dates.

Stage 2 VISUAL ARTS - Full Year (20 Credits)

Pre-requisite – Year 11 Art and / or Design

For students wishing to pursue their studies in the Visual Arts there are two choices. These are full-year subjects.

• Visual Arts - Art • Visual Arts - Design

Only one of these courses may be taken at the same time.

A study of a related subject at Stage 1 is a preferred prerequisite. Time management skills and the ability to negotiate and complete work programs will be essential.

While Art and Design all involve a high degree of imaginative thinking and visualisation their functions and outcomes are different.

In both Art and Design, the following three areas of study must be covered:

• Visual Thinking • Practical Resolution • Visual Arts in Context.

Students will be individually counselled to determine which course best suits their individual needs and abilities.

Stage 2 VISUAL ARTS - ART- and VISUAL ARTS - DESIGN - Full Year (20 Credits)

This subject contains a 70% School Based Assessment component made up of two types of assessment. - Folio (40%) and two Practical Major Works (30%).

The external assessment is a Visual Study worth 30%.

In Visual Arts students express ideas through practical work using drawings, sketches, diagrams, models, prototypes, photographs and/or audio visual techniques leading to resolved pieces.

The folio allows the students to produce one folio that documents their visual learning, in support of their two or three works of art or design.

Art practicals may take any of the following forms: film, animation, installation, assemblage, digital imaging, painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, photography, wood, plastic, or metal fabrication, sculpture, ceramics, and/or textiles.

Students produce two or three practicals, one or two (but no more than two) of which must be resolved works. One resolved practical may be a set or suite of two or three parts. Students may maintain a theme and produce one or two minor practicals, one of which may be a resolved work to accompany a final major resolved work. Alternatively, students may diversify and resolve one or two practicals from different themes or genres.

Design practicals may be categorised in the broad areas of product design, environmental design, graphic design, or visual communication. Students prepare two written practitioner’s statements, for one resolved practical and one other work, or for two resolved practicals.

A visual study is an exploration of, and/or experimentation with, one or more styles, ideas, concepts, media, materials, methods, techniques, or technologies.

Students base their exploration and/or experimentation on critical analysis of the work of other practitioners, individual research, and the development of visual thinking and/or technical skills. They present the findings of their visual study as well as their conclusions, insights, and personal opinions about aesthetics. This can be presented as twenty A3 pages of visual study with a maximum of 2000 words or as a 12 minute recorded oral presentation.

At Stage 2 Visual thinking extends to the clear communication of a personal visual aesthetic, which has been refined throughout the process of developing works of art or design for resolution. This occurs through exposure to many forms, styles and ideas in the visual arts; discussion on the role of art through personal development and cultural identity and through the encouragement of self-analysis and exploration of the students own ideas and beliefs.