Philosophy - Why should I study Visual Arts?

The study of Visual Arts provides students with the opportunity to develop a critical and intensely personal view of themselves in relation to the world. The Diploma Programme Visual Arts course enables students to engage in both practical exploration and artistic production, and in independent contextual, visual and critical investigation. These processes of designing, making and responding to art require a high level of cognitive activity that is both intellectual and affective. 

Course Content and Assessment- What will I be studying and How will I be assessed?

In this visual arts course students learn how to create, communicate and connect as artists. The IB Diploma Programme Visual Arts course encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. It is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem solving and divergent thinking, while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to engage in, experiment with and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary practices and media.

The new curriculum will be articulated in these assessment components:

• Art-making inquiries portfolio (HL 30% & SL 40%, External Assessment) will ask students to develop multiple lines of inquiry within the process of making art and to curate evidence of their investigations, creative experiences, and reflections with a variety of art-making forms into a digital portfolio.

• Connections Study (SL 20%, External Assessment) will ask students to select a chosen resolved artwork and connect it to their context. In addition, they will be asked to research at least two artworks by different artists, demonstrating connections to these works through an informed analysis of their cultural significance.

• Artist Project (HL 30%, External Assessment) will ask students to create and contextualize an artwork for a choice-based project. Within their project development, students will connect their ideas to at least two artworks by different artists.

• Resolved artworks (SL 40%, Internal Assessment) will ask students to create 5 coherent artworks which are explained in a written rationale, through which they articulate their artistic choices.

• Selected resolved artworks (HL 40%, Internal Assessment) will ask students to create 8 art pieces. From this, students will choose 5 resolved pieces to form a coherent body of work, which they will contextualize and articulate through a written rationale and individual artwork texts.

Prerequisites - What do I need to know before choosing Visual Arts? 

For students wishing to study Visual Arts, it is preferable if they have completed the Visual Arts course at MYP or an equivalent educational level. However, students who have only ever enjoyed and participated in Visual Arts courses outside school are very welcome to join the course, or to discuss the possibility of doing so with our Visual Arts teacher. 

What will allow me to be successful? 

• Be passionate

• Be proactive

• Be curious

• Pursue depth

• Visit museums, galleries, artists’ studios, research art online and in books…

• Enjoy creating and learning about art

• Apply feedback regularly

What can I do with Visual Arts in the future? 

The course is designed to provide an appropriate foundation for further study in visual arts at university level or in art career pathways. Visual Arts lays an excellent foundation for a career in the creative industries, although the ability to 'think outside the box' and the observational skills learnt through this subject are considered valuable in a whole spectrum of professions. 

There are many art-related career paths that DP Visual Arts can ultimately lead to including animation, fine arts, architecture, fashion design, graphic design, illustration, photography, print making and product design.

Careers which appreciate creative skills include arts administration, art teaching, art/fashion critique, art journalism, arts travel, museum or gallery curation.