2 units for each of Preliminary and HSC                              

Board Developed Course (Category A)

ATAR Course

Exclusions:  None

Prerequisites: None

Course Description:

Visual Arts builds an understanding of the role of art, in all forms of media, in contemporary and historical cultures and visual worlds. In contemporary societies many types of knowledge are increasingly managed through imagery and spectacle and much of students’ knowledge is acquired in this way. The subject of Visual Arts serves to facilitate the interpretation of such information. 

The Stage 6 Visual Arts syllabus builds on the knowledge and understanding, skills, values and attitudes gained in the mandatory and elective courses. This course provides both students who have limited experience in the subject along with students who have considerable foundation knowledge the opportunity to thrive and excel in their studies.

Main Topics Covered:

Practical (Artmaking)

Preliminary:  Students develop their practical artmaking skills by working with a range of different materials and mediums to create a broad portfolio of work. Students will participate in a range of practical assessments. The practical skills learnt by each student in Year 11 Arts will directly influence the artmaking students pursue in Year 12.  Students will also dive into the world of artists by looking at case studies of selected artists to investigate to consolidate their understanding of the artworks, artistic practice and the interactions of the artists and their contributions to the art world, in relation to history, time, place and significant events. 

HSC: Students will develop their own Body of Work. This is an independent learning project which requires students to complete research and develop their own concepts, ideas, and practical skills. This is a project that requires commitment and patience from start to finish. Students who receive a BAND 6 in Visual Arts can be nominated Art Express. A prestigious and NSW Education recognised series of exhibitions of exemplary works from a selected range of Visual Arts HSC body of work.  The HSC Examination  is comprised of 50% Practical component (body of work submission)  and 50% Theory examination. 

Theory (Historical & Critical Study) 

Visual Arts is NOT just a practical subject. The deeper a student’s knowledge of the artworld, traditional and contemporary, the better informed their own artmaking practice will be. Senior Visual Arts students are expected to develop a deep knowledge of the artworld and a range of important artists. Students will study artists and their practice through a series of Case Studies. Students are required to write art essays and complete a range of short answer responses. In the Preliminary course (Year 11) students will  develop writing and appreciation skills through the  following two disciplines: 

1. Historical Study—the study of traditional and contemporary artworks.

2. Critical Study— critically describing, analysing, interpreting, and making judgments about artworks, both traditional and contemporary. In the HSC course (Year 12) students will complete 5 Research Case Studies, by critically analysing artists and artworks

For more information about this course, please see:  Mr Catulong