Group 6: Arts

The visual arts are an integral part of everyday life, permeating all levels of human creativity, expression, communication and understanding. The course enables students to engage in both practical exploration and artistic production, and in independent contextual, visual and critical investigation. The course is designed to enable students to study visual arts in Higher Education and also welcomes those students who seek life enrichment through visual arts. Students will develop an understanding of visual arts from local, national and international perspectives. They will study international artists and movements and art from different cultures while building confidence in responding visually and creatively to personal and cultural experiences. The course will help students develop their skills in, and sensitivity to, the creation of works that reflect active and individual involvement.

Assessment in Visual Arts consists of the evaluation of the work as a whole, the processes of investigation and development as well as the finished product. The component contributing to the larger portion of the total assessment is externally assessed.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT 60%

Task 1, Art-making Inquiries Portfolio

A selection of curated visual and written materials, has exactly the same requirements for both HL (30%) and SL (40%) but with different weighting.

Task 2, SL - Connection Study (20%), HL - Artist Project (30%) 

Integrates research into art making, and is the most clearly differentiated for HL and SL. The tasks are different but share a focus on the assessment objectives “investigate” and “situate”

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT 40%

Task 3, Exhibition

 A selected body of resolved, coherent works, both HL and SL 40% .

The focus of the IA remains on the student’s ability to create a coherent body of work. The number of resolved artworks required is now reduced to 5 both for SL and HL. All students write a Rationale. The main difference is that HL students also write exhibition texts for each selected piece and include 3 additional artworks that they have not selected.

• Development of visual awareness, perception and criticism of the Arts 

• Ability to investigate past, present and emerging forms of visual arts and engage in producing, appreciating and evaluating these 

• Development of individual aesthetic, imaginative and creative visual expression.

And beyond...

Particularly relevant careers include Graphic Design, Fine Art and Sculpture, Photography, Textiles, Theatre Design and Publishing.

• Show an interest in art and cultures 

• Demonstrate an inquisitive nature and a desire to artistically solve problems, analytical and creative skills

• Be responsible and plan and organize your own work

• Applying systematic trial-and-error procedures to new challenges

• Have an art journal with creative, reflective and artistic content and processes.

Standard Level

• Overall minimum grade 4

• A consistent 5 for Criterion B

Higher Level

• Overall minimum grade 5

• A consistent 6 for Criterion B

• The department will look at grades for individuals.

Music is an essential part of the human experience and a unique mode of creativity, expression and communication. Music is both functional and meaningful, and its vitality and complexity enriches our lives. Though music is rooted in specific societies and cultures, it also transcends—and often connects—them. Music not only offers a way of understanding the world, but also a means by which we can express and share our understanding of it with others.

In this course, students and teachers engage in a journey of imagination and discovery through partnership and collaboration. Students develop and affirm their unique musical identities while expanding and refining their musicianship. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to explore music in varied and sometimes unfamiliar contexts. Additionally, by experimenting with music, students gain hands-on experience while honing musical skills. Through realizing and presenting samples of their musical work with others, students also learn to communicate critical and artistic intentions and purpose. As students develop as young musicians, the course challenges them to engage practically with music as researchers, performers and creators, and to be driven by their unique passions and interests while also broadening their musical and artistic perspectives.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT (SL-70%, HL-50%)

Exploring music in context (SL-30%, HL-20%)

Students select samples of their work for a portfolio submission 

Presenting music (SL-40%, HL-30%)

Students submit a collection of works demonstrating engagement with diverse musical material from four areas of inquiry. 

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT (SL-30%, HL-50%)

Experimenting with music (SL-30%, HL-20%)

Students submit an experimentation report with evidence of their musical processes in creating and performing in two areas of inquiry in a local and/or global context.

The contemporary music-maker (HL only-30%)

Students submit a continuous multimedia presentation documenting their real-life project. 

• Performance Skills

• Composition and Arrangement Skills

• Academic and Analytical Skills

• Technical and Production Skills

• Critical thinking

Further studies and career paths include: Music Conservatoires, University Music Degrees, Music Technology and Production, Music Education, Music Business/Industry..

Standard level

• Overall minimum grade 4

• Criterion  C:  minimum 5

Higher level

• Overall minimum grade 5

• Criterion C: minimum 6

• The department will look at grades for individuals.