Review of VCE Studio Arts
Summary of proposed changes to the study
design
General changes
The review of VCE Studio Arts focused on:
 Refinement of wording and provide clarity across all units of the study, including updating titles
of units and area of study headings.
 Improvement of the ‘architecture’ of the study by providing Cross-Study Specifications in that
include definitions of studio practices, the studio process and visual language.
 Introduction of School-assessed Coursework for Unit 3 Outcome 3 and Unit 4 Outcome 3 to
improve the link between internal and external assessments.
 Merger two SATs into one across Units 3 and 4.
The proposed weightings of assessment in the study are:
Unit 3 SAC
Unit 4 SAC
Units 3 and 4 SAT
Examination
5%
5%
60%
30%
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 following have been included in the Cross Study
Specifications:
 An outline of Studio Practice – the thinking and working practices of artists.
 Studio Process – outlines the design process that artists apply when creating and making art
works. The definition outlines the use of studio processes and how to analyse the studio
processes of artists.
 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 the art process.
Specific changes
Unit 1 – Artistic inspiration and techniques
In Unit 1 Area of Study 1 and Area of Study 2 the area of study overviews and outcomes have
been updated structuring them around Studio practices and the Studio process. Outcome 1
includes the introduction of an exploration proposal to structure studio practice. Outcome 2 has
been updated to include studio practice to enhance the outcome.
© VCAA , June 2015
Review of VCE Studio Arts
In Unit 1 Area of Study 3 the overview has been updated with the requirement that students
compare art works. Outcome 3 focuses on the practices of artists and students must discuss two
artists and two artworks by each artist. This provides students with content and scope to develop
their writing and discussion skills.
Unit 1: Artistic Inspiration and Techniques
i.
ii.
iii.
Area of Study 1: Researching and recording ideas.
Area of Study 2: Studio practice.
Area of Study 3: Interpretation of art ideas and use of materials and techniques.
Unit 2 – Design exploration and concepts.
Unit 2 Area of Study 1 has been updated to include language that references the cross study
specifications of Studio practices, Studio process and Visual language.
Unit 2 Area of Study 2 has been updated. In Outcome 2, students are required to compare and
contrast art works based on an investigation of the practices of artists in a range of art periods,
cultures and styles. The key knowledge area of ‘using of artists practice or artwork in making of an
artwork’ has been shifted from Unit 3 Outcome 3 to Unit 2, Outcome 2 to ease workload and to
provide students with more focussed content and structured topics to draw upon in the completion
of the outcome.
Unit 2: Design exploration and concepts
i.
ii.
Area of Study 1: Exploration of studio practice and development of artwork.
Area of Study 2: Ideas and styles in artworks.
Unit 3 – Studio and professional art practices
Unit 3 Area of Study 1 and Area of Study 2 have been updated to provide more clarity using the
language of the Cross Study Specifications. The School-assessed Task of the current study which
covers Outcome 1 and 2, has been merged with the Unit 4 SAT to reduce student workload. This
includes clearly describing the number of Potential Directions and supporting documentation both
in the exploration proposal and visual diary for Unit 3 Outcomes 1 and 2.
Unit 3 Area of Study 3 has been updated. Outcome 3 has become a School-assessed Coursework
task. In Outcome 3, ‘copyright’ and ‘artist moral rights’ have been removed from the key
knowledge. Students are required to compare artists, their practices, two artworks by each artist
and discuss the historical and cultural context in which they are situated. The area of study will
provide students with greater scope and inspiration for their studio practice in Outcomes 1 and 2.
Unit 3: Studio and professional art practices
i.
ii.
iii.
Area of Study 1: Exploration proposal
Area of Study 2: Design process
Area of Study 3: Professional art practices
Unit 4 – Studio practices and art industry contexts
Unit 4 Area of Study 1 and Area of Study 2 have been updated using the language of the Crossstudy specifications. Outcome 1 and Outcome 2 form part of the same School-assessed Task as
Outcome 1 and Outcome 2 in Unit 3. Therefore, the key knowledge and key skills have been
adjusted in Outcomes 1 and 2.
© VCAA, June 2015
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Review of VCE Studio Arts
In Outcome 1 students are required to present two artworks that link clearly to the Exploration
proposal and potential directions from Unit 3.
Unit 4 Area of Study 3 has been updated. Outcome 3 is assessed through School-assessed
Coursework. The area of study overview defines exhibition spaces. Some of the exhibition spaces
include online spaces to allow for students who do not have easy access to art galleries. In
Outcome 3 students compare two exhibition spaces they have seen and describe the presentation
and promotion of artworks and the roles of artists and curators in displaying the art works. Students
also analyse artworks and the exhibition spaces where they are presented and displayed.
Unit 4: Studio practices and art industry contexts
i.
ii.
iii.
Area of Study 1: Presentation of artworks
Area of Study 2: Evaluation
Area of Study 3: Art industry contexts
© VCAA, June 2015
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Review of VCE Studio Arts
Assessment
Outcome statements in all areas of study across Units 1 to 4 have been altered to reflect the
amended focus of each unit.
Units 1 and 2 Outcomes
Current Study Outcome Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome Statements
Unit 1
Area of Study 1
Source inspiration, identify individual ideas and use
a variety of methods to translate these into visual
language.
Unit 1
Area of Study 1
Develop an exploration proposal that identifies
sources of inspiration, individual ideas, discussion of
art forms and aesthetic qualities into visual language.
Area of Study 2
Explore and use a variety of materials and
techniques to support and record the development
of individual ideas to produce artworks.
Area of Study 2
Use a visual diary to record the development of a
guided studio practice to convey individual ideas,
explore materials and techniques in a range of art
forms to produce at least one artwork.
Area of Study 3
Discuss how artists from different times and
cultures have interpreted sources of inspiration and
used materials and techniques in the production of
artworks.
Area of Study 3
Compare how artists from different times and cultures
have interpreted sources of inspiration and used
materials and techniques in the production of at least
two artworks.
Current Study Outcome Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome Statements
Unit 2
Area of Study 1
Develop an individual design process, including
visual research and inquiry, in order to produce a
variety of design explorations to create a number of
artworks.
Unit 2
Area of Study 1
Develop an individual exploration proposal, which
forms the basis for the design process, including
visual research and inquiry, in order to produce a
variety of design explorations for an artwork.
Area of Study 2
Analyse and discuss the ways in which artists from
different times and cultures have created aesthetic
qualities in artworks, communicated ideas and
developed styles.
Area of Study 2
Through the exploration of a range of art periods or
styles, compare and contrast how artists
communicate ideas, develop styles and create
aesthetic qualities in artworks.
© VCAA, June 2015
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Review of VCE Studio Arts
Unit 3 Outcome – School-assessed Coursework
Current Study Outcome
Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome
Statements
Outcome 3
Discuss art practices in relation to
particular artworks of at least two
artists and analyse ways in which
artists develop their styles.
Outcome 3
Compare at least two artists, their
practices and two artworks by each
artist discussing the different historical
cultural contexts in which they are
situated.
Assessment tasks
Typical forms of evidence may
include a combination of the
following:
 structured questions responding
to historically recognised artworks
 an annotated visual report
 an essay
 a presentation using digital
technologies.
 a series of short responses
 an oral presentation with
supporting visual evidence
Unit 4 Outcome – School-assessed Coursework
Current Study Outcome
Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome
Statements
Outcome 3
Examine and explain the
preparation and presentation of
artworks in at least two different
exhibition spaces, and discuss the
various roles, processes and
methods involved in the exhibition
of artworks.
Outcome 3
Compare the preparation,
presentation and promotion of
specific artworks in at least two
different exhibitions, analysing the
methods and considerations of
artists and curators in galleries.
© VCAA, June 2015
Page 5
Assessment tasks
Typical forms of evidence may include a
combination of the following:
 structured questions responding to
historically recognised artworks
 an annotated visual report
 an essay
 a presentation using digital
technologies.
 a series of short responses
 an oral presentation with supporting
visual evidence
Review of VCE Studio Arts
Units 3 and 4 – School-assessed Task
Current Study Outcome
Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome
Statements
Unit 3
Outcome 1
Prepare an exploration proposal
that formulates the content and
parameters of an individual design
process, and that includes a plan of
how the proposal will be
undertaken.
Unit 3
Outcome 2
Prepare an exploration proposal
that formulates the content and
parameters of an individual design
process, and that includes a plan of
how the proposal will be
undertaken.
Outcome 2
Present an individual design
process that produces a range of
potential directions, which reflects
the concepts and ideas documented
in the exploration proposal.
Outcome 2
Present an individual design
process, recorded in a visual diary
that produces a range of potential
directions, which reflects the
concepts and ideas documented in
the exploration proposal and work
plan.
Unit 4
Outcome 1
Present a cohesive folio of finished
artworks, based on selected
potential directions developed
through the design process, that
demonstrates skilful application of
materials and techniques and that
realises and communicates the
student’s ideas
Outcome 2
Provide visual and written
documentation that identifies the
folio focus and evaluates the extent
to which the finished artworks
reflect the selected potential
directions, and effectively
demonstrate a cohesive relationship
between the works.
© VCAA, June 2015
Unit 4
Outcome 1
Present at least two artworks,
based on selected and evaluated
potential directions developed
through the design process, that
demonstrates refined and skilful
application of materials and
techniques and that realises and
communicates the student’s ideas
expressed in the exploration
proposal.
Outcome 2
Provide visual and written
documentation that identifies the
folio focus and evaluates the extent
to which the finished artworks
reflect the selected potential
directions, and effectively
demonstrate a cohesive relationship
between the works.
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Assessment tasks
An exploration proposal and a
visual diary that presents an
individual design process, which
explores and develops the
concepts and ideas set out in the
exploration proposal, and
produces a range of visual
explorations and potential
directions that will form the basis
of at least two artworks in Unit 4.
A cohesive folio of finished
artworks and an evaluation of the
finished cohesive folio.