Course Overview

The IB Visual Arts course is both challenging and exciting, but it is up to you to make ‘it’ happen. As your instructor, I will stand by your side to help you, but ultimately you are in charge of your destiny in your creative growth.

Understand that this class requires a high level of commitment on your part and that this course is a continual process of self- development which is determined by your own exploration of your own creative drive and potential. Like any sport or music, your growth depends on how you cultivate it. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work as hard” is very true in this context.

Remember that growing pains accompany growth; this is true in life and in art. Art begins with an idea. Ask lots of questions. Consider different outcomes to visual problems and choose the best solution.  Constant experimentation of a variety of media and compositional choices, sometimes including an occasional “interesting failure”, is a critical part of visual and artistic growth.

The distinction between HL and SL allows for a breadth and a greater depth in the teaching and learning and is outlined clearly in the visual arts syllabus and Assessment Outline.   HL students are encouraged to produce a larger body of work during a two year enrollment, which demonstrate a deeper consideration of how their resolved works communicate with a potential viewer. SL students demonstrate growth and proficiency during a one year enrollment in IB Visual Arts.