ABOUT THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART CLASSES
The AP Studio Art class is a rigorous course study in which the students are able to
receive college credit.
The title “AP Studio Art” in reference to Art classes actually encompasses three separate
college courses. A student may receive college credit for each of the following art
classes which fall under the umbrella term of AP Studio Art:
1. AP Studio Art Drawing – emphasizes mark-making that may address some or all
of the following issues:
a. light and shade
b. line quality
c. rendering of form
d. composition
e. surface manipulation
f. illusion of depth
Students may use:
a. drawing
b. painting
c. printmaking
d. other mixed media materials
2. AP Studio Art 2-D Design – emphasizes the use of the elements/principles of
art/design in an integrated way, organized with the compositional space to
communicate content. Students may use:
a. printmaking
b. painting
c. drawing
d. digital imaging
e. photography
f. fiber
g. other/various mixed media materials
3. AP Studio Art 3-D Design – emphasizes the use of element/principles of
art/design in an integrative way within a compositional space that shows height,
width and depth. This portfolio is intended to address sculptural issues. Students
may use various materials including:
a. metal
b. ceramics
c. fiber
d. wood
e. paper
f. other mediums or combination of mediums
The EXAMThe exam is a portfolio of artwork and is submitted to the AP College Board in
May. The portfolio consists of three areas of study: Quality, Area of Concentration and
Breadth.
The 3-D Studio Art Portfolio is submitted as digital images. No actual pieces of
art are sent. Quality includes 2 views of 5 different pieces. Area of Concentration is a
series or body of work – 12 images. Breadth works demonstrate a variety of skills and
approaches to art making that show evidence of expressive, conceptual, perceptual and
technical range.
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College credit varies from college to college to college. In addition to the
possibility of college credit, there are multiple reasons for students to complete
the AP Studio Art Portfolio.