Stage 6
Visual Arts
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, Mrs Boddy
Who should choose Visual Arts for the HSC?
If you have existing talent in Visual Arts and you studied Visual Arts in Years 9 and 10 then this is the course for you! Those students who have not studied Visual Arts since Year 8 are still encouraged to choose Visual Arts as an Elective in the Senior School, however, these students must have the desire and commitment to enhance their practical artmaking skills during their Stage 6 Visual Arts studies.
TOP 10 SKILLS STUDENTS LEARN FROM THE ARTS
1. Creativity – Being able to think on your feet, approach tasks from different perspectives and think ‘outside of the box’
2. Confidence – The skills developed through theater, not only train you how to convincingly deliver a message, but also build the confidence you need to take command of the stage.
3. Problem Solving – Artistic creations are born through the solving of problems.
4. Perseverance – In an increasingly competitive world, where people are being asked to continually develop new skills, perseverance is essential to achieving success.
5. Focus – The ability to focus is a key skill developed through ensemble work. Keeping a balance between listening and contributing involves a great deal of concentration and focus.
TOP 10 SKILLS STUDENTS LEARN FROM THE ARTS
6. Non-Verbal Communication –They experience different ways of moving and how those movements communicate different emotions.
7. Receiving Constructive Feedback –Students learn that feedback is part of learning and it is not something to be offended by or to be taken personally. It is something helpful. The goal is the improvement of skills and evaluation is incorporated at every step of the process.
8. Collaboration – Most arts disciplines are collaborative in nature. Through the arts, children practice working together, sharing responsibility, and compromising with others to accomplish a common goal.
9. Dedication – When kids get to practice following through with artistic endeavors that result in a finished product or performance, they learn to associate dedication with a feeling of accomplishment.
10. Accountability – When students practice creating something collaboratively they get used to the idea that their actions affect other people.
FAQ’s—VISUAL ARTS
Are there any prerequisites for this course?
No. Whilst experience in Year 9 and/or Year 10 Visual Arts would be an extreme advantage, this is not a prerequisite.
Is there a practical HSC Examinations? Yes. Your Body Of Work.
Is there a written examination? Yes. Visual Arts does
require students to possess formal writing skills for the theory component.
Does this course examine essay writing? Yes.
Does this course examine extended responses? Yes.
Does this course examine short answer responses? Yes.
Do I need to purchase my own art supplies and art kit? Yes, most of the art materials for your own personal art making you will need to individually purchase. However, for your HSC if you require specific art supplies in order for you to create your work, your teacher can put in a purchase request form to order required art materials for their STAGE 6 classes.
Do I already need to be able to possess practical artmaking skills? Yes, you will find this course much more accessible if you can already confidently create artworks using a range of different mediums. If you cannot, you should think about your willingness to commit to the learning of essential practical skills before selecting this course. It is expected that students will also commit themselves to a regular routine of artmaking at home.
