IB Diploma Programme Course Outline
Visual Arts
Instructor Information
Teacher: Mrs. Kathy Moore
Email address: kathymoore@anderson5.net
Course Description
2 Years-2 Credits
The IB Visual Arts program encourages and enables students to analyze verbal
and nonverbal communication and make informed judgments about cultural
products and issues; and to communicate their thoughts and feelings in a variety
of modes. This will give the student a vastly more powerful repertoire of selfexpression. This course actively encourages visual exploration of the students
own and other cultural contexts within their school, community, and throughout
the world through practical study and artistic production. A multicultural
understanding of the moral, social, and economic values of art will be developed.
IB Visual Arts students will actively pursue the questions “What is art?”, “Why do
people create art?”, and ” What makes art valuable?” The program will enable
the student to critically answer these questions by forming their own perceptions
with knowledge based ideas stemming from knowledge gained in core academic
study, visual arts study, and from their own experiences. We will strive to move
freely between the different perspectives of thought in our International
community and find that acceptance of diverse global views enhances our
personal success. A specific and clearly defined criterion is set for both the
studio component of the course as well as the Investigation Workbook.
The nature of the course changes over the two year period. It begins primarily
teacher-directed, with students following assignments and instructions which are
designed to get them working in their Investigation Workbooks and developing
ideas for the course of inquiry they will follow in their studio work. It evolves into
a more student-initiated and student-guided course of study during the second
year, when the teacher serves more as an objective guide for the student as they
progress through exploration and experimentation of themes and use of various
media.
This course will culminate in an individual exhibition of studio work, which will be
externally assessed by a visiting examiner. The teacher will internally assess the
selected pages of the Investigation Workbooks submitted in the CRB.
Aims
The aims of the Visual Arts course at Higher Level are to enable students to
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provide the students with the opportunities to develop their aesthetic,
imaginative and creative faculties.
cultivate intrinsic motivation.
develop a strong sense of individual identity that will contribute to the
lifelong learning of the student.
develop an understanding of visual arts from a local, national, and
international perspective--understanding human experiences, both past
and present; learning to adapt to and respect others' ways of thinking,
working, and expressing themselves; learning artistic modes of problem
solving, which bring an array of expressive, analytical, and developmental
tools to every human situation.
stimulate and train visual awareness.
encourage the pursuit of quality and excellence through guided training,
exploration, and experimentation/risk taking.
increase technical dexterity through media practice and exploration.
Assessment
Visual Arts HL
High Level:
240 Hours Total
The Higher Level program in Visual Arts consists of two parts, both of which are
compulsory.
Option A
Part A—Studio (practical) Work (60%)
168 Hours
Studio Work
IB External Assessment Criteria
Understanding of Ideas and Techniques
Exploration of Artists and Cultures
Development of Ideas
Review, Modify, and Refine
Technical Media Skills
Confidence and Inventiveness
Risk Taking
Candidates will be expected to
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produce personally relevant works of art that reveal evidence of
exploration of ideas that reflect cultural and aesthetic awareness
develop and demonstrate technical competence and artistic qualities that
challenge and extend personal boundaries
Part B—Research Workbook (40 %)
72 Hours
Investigation Workbooks
IB Internal Assessment Criteria
Analyze Artist’s and Cultures
Record’s Studio Work Development
Independent Research
Critical Research
Contextual Research and Visual Research
Reflection and Evaluation
Candidates who have completed the courses will be expected to
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respond to and analyze critically and contextually the function, meaning
and artistic qualities of past, present, and emerging art.
develop and present independent ideas and practice, and explain the
connections between these and the works of others.
explore and develop ideas and techniques for studio work through
integrated contextual study and first-hand observations.
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develop and maintain a close relationship between investigation and a
purposeful creative process in studio work.
Option B
Studio (practical) work (40%)
Investigation Workbooks (60%)
Student learning will be evaluated through internal and external assessments.
Internal evaluations and assessments will be conducted throughout the course of
study to ensure progress. These will include written and oral critiques on an
individual and group basis, homework assignments, IBW checklist requirements
and tracking, mock exams, journal writing and responses, brainstorming
assignments, and evaluations on finished products.
All components are assessed and moderated at the end of the second year by a
visiting moderator following an interview with the student. Students are expected
to demonstrate a response to all of the assessment objectives. Students will also
need to produce a Candidate Record Booklet which is used as part of the
moderation procedure. It includes an artist’s statement and photographs of
highlights from the students IBW and studio work.
Ultimately the student will strive for a strong correlation between the IWB
and production resulting in a unified body of work.
Summary of Assessment
Assessment is based on 60% studio time and 40% Investigation Workbooks
(option A) and 40% studio time and 60% IWB (option B). The IB programme
prescribes very specific criteria for execution of studio work and work in the IBW .
Visual Arts consists of two parts: Option A students present an exhibition of their
finished Studio Work, which is assessed by an external examiner following an
interview with each student. Their Investigation Workbooks are assessed
internally, and moderated externally. In this way the process of artistic
development is considered as well as the finished product. For Option B, the
Investigation Workbook is assessed by the examiner and the Studio Work is
assessed internally and moderated by the IBO.
Topics
Year I
The IB Visual Arts student will investigate/explore areas of interest and be
encouraged to inquire about new ideas and topics. The student will begin to
create a body of work that demonstrates progress and a connection between
IBW and studio production. The class will include opportunities for investigation
and applied practice. The programme will allow the students the opportunity to
experiment with various media, to learn new and practice old studio techniques,
to review and build concepts, the practice of art criticism and analysis, and ways
to relate art to its socio culture and historical contexts.
From this basic support system the students will be encouraged to move into
areas of individual and collaborative exploration. The student will work with the
teacher through studio consultation and regular IBW screening. Year I students
will be encouraged to pursue projects in a variety of media, to developing new
and original ideas, and discovering creative solutions. The Year I IB student will
begin to discover his/her individual strengths.
Year II
Year two will enhance year one and narrow the focus to develop a personal
“theme” that displays a cohesiveness within their body of work. The Year II
student will continue to examine cultural connections and expand into in depth
avenues on a more independent track. Ultimately the Year II student will strive
for a strong correlation between the IWB and production resulting in a unified
body of work.
The student will determine the best practice(s) to demonstrate and express “ah
ha” moments and inspirations into both written and visual forms. Students will
continue their studio pursuits, and begin working on testing materials.
Starting in the fall students will refine and begin to finalize their artist statement.
This will explain their intense research and explain their cultural connections,
visual explorations and journey. At the beginning of the second semester
students will begin working on a “mock-up” of their test booklet, and begin
narrowing art images to be used for testing. Intense review and consultation with
the teacher will help determine the best research and aesthetic imagery to help
showcase each student. Students will prepare a Candidate Record Booklet to be
presented to the IB Art examiner and to be sent off internationally for IB review.
The booklet contains highlights from the students IBW and studio work. Each
candidate will meet with the IB Art examiner at their exhibition site and participate
in a 45 minute oral exam in which the student will explain and enlighten the art
examiner on their 2 year artistic voyage and the research they encountered.
Each art piece on display will be discussed and evaluated.
Resources
The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: A Course in Enhancing
Creativity and Artistic Confidence by Betty Edwards
ArtSpeak : A Guide to Contemporary Ideas, Movements, and Buzzwords, 1945
to the Present (Speak Series) by Robert Atkins
ArtSpoke: A Guide to Modern Ideas, Movements, and Buzzwords, 1848-1944 by
Robert Atkins
History of Modern Art (Trade Version) (4th Edition) by H. H. Arnason and Marla
F. Prather
Discovering Art History 4th edition by Gerald F. Brommer
ArtTalk, Student Edition by Glencoe McGraw-Hill
THE VISUAL EXPERIENCE by Jack Hobbs & Richard Salome
Living With Art by Rita Gilbert
Modern Art: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture by Sam; Jacobus, John Hunter
Drawing: Ideas, Materials, Techniques by Gerald F. Brommer
Scholastic Art Magazine (s)
Group 6 Responses:
• Are all group 6 courses adequately supported with materials and
laboratory/studio space?
Yes, the courses are adequately supported
There is a dedicated art classroom for IB
There 3 computer labs available and 1 mobile lab
A school library with visual art resources
The classroom has an outdoor patio for outdoor exploration
There are 2 exhibition venues on site and 1possible off-site
venue
Additional supply and equipment funding will be supported by
the District IB budget
• Does the course outline adequately demonstrate that the school
has prepared for the required internal assessments for the
subject(s)?
Yes, this is evident through the criteria set and explained within the
summary of assessment segment.
For all subjects:
• Has a thorough review of the available resource materials and
equipment (both within the department and in the library/media
centre) been conducted?
Yes
• Are instructional materials available in sufficient quality, quantity
and variety to give effective support to the aims and methods of
the courses?
Yes
• Are community resources used both within the classroom and as
part of regular field trips?
Yes
• Are the needs and projected costs of acquiring all necessary
materials and equipment for each subject group clearly stated?
•
All necessary materials and equipment will be acquired with monies
from the District Five budget.
• Is an international perspective included?
Yes, this is evident through the continual historical and cultural
research with the IWB.