Review of VCE Art
Summary of proposed changes to the study
design
General changes
The review of VCE Art focused on:




Clarity of wording for overall concepts and structure across the study design.
The key knowledge and skills for the art making process and artistic practice across the study.
Minor adjustments to a number of outcomes across the study.
There has been some change to the titles and the area of study titles across all units.
Cross-study specifications
 Cross-study specifications have been added to demonstrate a consistency of art language and
definitions across both Art and Studio Arts.
 The Analytical Frameworks have been altered to provide greater clarity in the focus and
structure they provide. They have been placed under the heading of Cross-study
specifications so it is clear that they extend across all units of the study. The language of the
Formal Framework has been altered to clarify Art elements and Art principles. There have been
changes to the Contemporary Framework to allow for more succinct analysis and interpretation
of artworks.
 The Art Process – has been added to cross-study specifications to assist teachers to guide
students through the art making process and to give strength to the links between analysing and
interpreting art and art making.
 Visual Language – is an important structural aspect of the study. A definition of visual language
has been provided to assist students to understand this aspect of Art.
Specific changes
Unit 1 – Artworks, experience and meaning
This unit overview has been updated to include references to the art process and visual language.
Unit 1 Area of Study 1 has been updated to include a substantiation of student point of view in the
key skills. This provides students with a foundation in discussing interpretations of art works in
other units.
Unit 1 Area of Study 2 has been updated to include the art process and visual language in the
overview, key knowledge and skills.
Unit 1: Artworks, experience and meaning
i.
ii.
Area of Study 1: Artworks and meaning
Area of Study 2: Art making and meaning
© VCAA June 2015
Review of VCE Art
Unit 2 – Artworks and contemporary culture
The unit overview has been updated to provide information about the Contemporary Framework
and Cultural Framework and aspects of the Formal and Personal Framework. The introduction
outlines that students must study four artists and select artworks based on a common theme for
comparison.
The ‘Contemporary Framework’: this has been moved from Unit 3 to Unit 2 to ensure coverage all
frameworks prior to Units 3 and 4, with consequent adjustment to the key knowledge and skills in
Unit 2.
Unit 2 Area of Study 1 has been amended to a focus on the Cultural Framework and the
Contemporary Framework. This is to focus on how art art making has changed over time and
provides students the opportunity to investigate and explore the influences on making and
presenting art. Students must study the artworks of four artists and use the Cultural and
Contemporary frameworks in their analysis and interpretation. The area of study title has been
updated to Culture and Contemporary Art to reflect the content.
Outcome 1 has been updated requiring students to discuss and compare artworks from different
cultures and times using the Cultural and Contemporary Frameworks. The key knowledge and
skills reflect this amendment. The key knowledge and skills also refer to use of the Formal and
Personal Frameworks as appropriate.
Unit 2 Area of Study 2 has been updated with references to the art process, visual language, the
Cultural and Contemporary frameworks. Students can also base their investigation for art making
based on the artworks and artists they have studied in Area of Study 1.
Unit 2: Artworks and contemporary culture
i.
ii.
Area of Study 1: Culture and contemporary art
Area of Study 2: Art making and contemporary culture
Unit 3 – Artworks, ideas and values
The unit introduction has been updated to include information about contemporary art and the year
2000 as a point of comparison for artworks. By providing this date, it does not discount work
produced prior to 1970. It provides students with a sharper historical context to compare current
artworks. Students will be able to focus on more contemporary themes and artistic practices in
their analysis and application of the Analytical Frameworks.
Unit 3 Area of Study 1 has been updated to establish the year 2000 as a point of comparison for
comparing artworks. Outcome 1 has been updated requiring students to analyse, interpret and
compare artworks produced before 2000 with those produced since 2000.
The ‘Contemporary Framework’: this has been moved from Unit 3 to Unit 2 to ensure coverage all
frameworks prior to Units 3 and 4, with consequent adjustment to the key knowledge and skills in
Unit 2.
Unit 3: Artworks, ideas and values
i.
ii.
Area of Study 1: Interpreting art
Area of Study 2: Investigation and interpretation through art making
Unit 4 – Artworks, ideas and viewpoints
The unit introduction has been updated to provide clarity around the terms ‘art issue’ and ‘art ideas’
Students have been provided with more definition about art issues and art ideas to examine,
© VCAA June 2015
Page 2
Review of VCE Art
discuss and debate the wider role of ‘art in society’. The term ‘commentary’ has been expanded to
include ‘viewpoints’ to allow for greater scope of sources for students to draw upon. The word
‘debate’ has been removed so students can research wider ideas about the role of art in society
rather than focusing on ‘issues’ that are ‘sensational’ and lack depth.
Unit 4 Area of Study 1 has been updated and students are required to discuss ideas and issues
relating to the ‘role of art in society’. They then devise a question that defines a selected idea or
issue that prompts two different points of view. Outcome 1 has been updated so students discuss a
selected art idea or issue and present their informed opinion with the support of attributed
commentaries and selected artists and artwork/s as context.
Unit 4 Area of Study 2 has been updated with amendments to the key knowledge and skills of the
outcome providing greater focus on the refinement of artworks and the evaluation of the art
process.
Unit 4: Artworks, ideas and viewpoints
i.
ii.
Area of Study 1: Discussing art
Area of Study 2: Realisation and resolution
© VCAA June 2015
Page 3
Review of VCE Art
Assessment
Outcome statements in all areas of study across Units 1 to 4 have been altered to reflect the focus
of the unit.
Units 1 and 2 Outcome statements
Current Study Outcome Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome Statements
Unit 1
Area of Study 1
Analyse and interpret a variety of artworks using the
Formal Framework and the Personal Framework.
Unit 1
Area of Study 1
Analyse and interpret a variety of artworks using the
Formal Framework and the Personal Framework.
Area of Study 2
Present visual creative responses that demonstrate
their personal interests and ideas through trialling
techniques, materials and processes.
Area of Study 2
Present visual responses that demonstrate their personal
interests and ideas through the exploration and
experimentation of materials and the development of
techniques and processes.
Current Study Outcome Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome Statements
Unit 2
Area of Study 1
Analyse, interpret, compare and contrast artworks from
different cultures using the Formal Framework and the
Cultural Framework.
Unit 2
Area of Study 1
Discuss and compare artworks from different cultures and
times using the Cultural Framework and the Contemporary
Framework
Area of Study 2
Demonstrate technical and artistic development in the
presentation of visual responses that include one
finished artwork, through the exploration of selected
media, materials and techniques.
Area of Study 2
Demonstrate technical and artistic development in the
presentation of visual imagery that includes one finished
artwork, through the exploration of selected media,
materials and techniques.
© VCAA June 2015
Page 4
Review of VCE Art
Unit 3 Outcome Statement – School-assessed Coursework
Current Study Outcome
Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome
Statements
Outcome 1
Use the Analytical Frameworks
to analyse and interpret artworks
produced before 1970 and
artworks produced since 1970,
and compare and contrast the
meanings and messages of
artworks produced before 1970
with those of artworks produced
since 1970.
Outcome 1
Use the Analytical Frameworks
to analyse and interpret artworks
produced before 2000 and
artworks produced since 2000,
and compare the meanings and
messages of artworks produced
before 2000 with those of
artworks produced since 2000.
Assessment tasks
The student’s performance
on each outcome should be
assessed using one or
more of the following
formats.
 a written report
 an extended response
 short responses
 structured questions
 an annotated visual
report
 a response using digital
technologies
 an oral presentation
with documented
evidence.
Unit 4 Outcome Statement – School-assessed Coursework
Current Study Outcome
Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome
Statements
Outcome 1
Outcome 1
Discuss and debate an art issue
using selected artist/s works as
context, and present their informed
opinion with reference to artworks
and with the support of selected
commentaries and relevant aspects
of the Analytical Frameworks.
Investigate and discuss a selected
art idea or issue using selected
artist/s and artworks as context,
and present their informed opinion
with the support of attributed
commentaries and/or viewpoints,
and relevant aspects of the
Analytical Frameworks.
© VCAA June 2015
Page 5
Assessment tasks
The student’s performance
on each outcome should be
assessed using one or
more of the following
formats.
 a written report
 an extended response
 short responses
 structured questions
 an annotated visual
report
 a response using digital
technologies
 an oral presentation
with documented
evidence.
Review of VCE Art
Units 3 and 4 Outcome Statements – School-assessed Task
Current Study Outcome
Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome
Statements
Unit 3
Outcome 2
Unit 3
Outcome 2
Explore personal ideas and
concepts through a conceptual and
practical investigation including at
least one finished artwork, using
selected Analytical Frameworks to
reflect upon and annotate their
work.
Explore personal ideas and
concepts through a conceptual and
practical investigation including at
least one finished artwork, using
selected Analytical Frameworks to
reflect upon and annotate their
work.
Unit 4
Outcome 2
Unit 4
Outcome 2
Progressively communicated ideas,
directions and/or personal concepts
in a body of work that includes at
least one finished artwork, having
used selected Analytical
Frameworks to underpin reflections
on their art making.
Applied the art process and
progressively communicated ideas,
directions and/or personal concepts
in a body of work that includes at
least one finished artwork, having
used selected Analytical
Frameworks to underpin reflections
on their art making.
*School-assessed Task for Units 3 and 4 contributes 50 per cent.
© VCAA June 2015
Page 6
Assessment tasks
A body of work presenting
explorations within
selected art form/s and/or
media which clearly
demonstrates the
development of the
student’s thinking and
working practices. The
progressive realisation
and resolution of the body
of work reflects personal
concepts, ideas,
directions, explorations,
aesthetic qualities and
technical skills, with at
least two finished
artworks that resolve the
student’s intentions.