Curriculum

Curriculum Roadmap

Topics

• Introductory workshops in a range of media including painting, printing, design, drawing, photo-editing and mixed-media.
• Pop Art project: exploring artists who have been inspired by popular culture. This will involve exploration of the visual elements.
• Ordinary & Extraordinary: A mixed-media project which gives you the opportunity to explore different materials to create artwork which transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.
• Expressive portraits: Large-scale painting project influenced by the work of artists that have used the portrait to express their emotions.
• Identity: Exploring imaginative ways artists communicate the theme of identity and selecting materials and techniques to communicate a personal response.
• Develop skills in writing for annotation and using key vocabulary.
• There will be an emphasis on drawing from observation to support the development of your ideas in art.

For the final examination you will be set a question paper with different themes to choose from. You may work with a material of your own choice. You will have seven weeks to prepare for this followed by ten hours to complete the final piece.

Skills and requirements

Key concepts

Understanding art

• Aesthetics and value of art.
• Looking at art.

Knowing art

• Art movements and styles.
• Art in context.
• Meaning in art.
• Art communicates.

Creating art

• Formal elements
• Mark-making
• Taking risks and experimenting
• Realising intentions

Skills learned

• A creative approach to problem solving.
• Consider and develop original ideas.
• Analyse critically your own and the work of others.
• Express individual thoughts and choices.
• Take risks, experiment and learn from your mistakes.

Beyond the Classroom

Future pathways

Art and design is everywhere: from the furniture we sit on, to the video games we play and the clothes we wear. Because of its importance in the modern world, training in art and design can open up opportunities in many careers.

The skills developed in art and design, e.g. creativity, self-expression, presentation, can be applied to all your subjects and in employment.

You can continue to study art and design at Level 3, and the subject is widely recognised by colleges and universities.