Art: Creative Practice

Rationale

VCE Art Creative Practice introduces the role of art in contemporary and historical cultures and societies, and values the meaningful and unique impact of artists on the development of arts knowledge, tradition and experiences, both locally and globally. Students build an understanding of how artists, through their practice and the artworks they create, communicate personal experiences and ideas, and cultural values, beliefs and viewpoints. In this study, students view artworks and investigate the working practices of artists from different cultures and periods of time. Students are challenged to articulate their understanding of the meanings and messages contained within artworks and to examine the effects of artworks upon the viewers or audiences who experience them. Students learn to pose and solve problems, and work independently and collaboratively, to create and convey meaning through art making.

Throughout the study students have opportunities to construct knowledge and communicate personal interpretations by working as both artist and viewer or audience. In making artworks, students use their creativity to solve problems and experiment with visual language and expression. They create personal responses and meaning by applying diverse materials, techniques and art processes. Students develop skills in research, art history and critical theory to analyse, interpret and debate the ideas and issues that are raised by artworks and by artists in their practice.

VCE Art Creative Practice uses inquiry through art practice to develop students’ critical and creative thinking skills and individual responses through researching, exploring, experimenting, developing, reflecting, refining and resolving. Through Making and Responding, and through the presentation of artworks in different contexts, students understand and appreciate the role of visual art in past and present traditions, societies and cultures.

By building skills in visual literacy and creative and critical thinking, which are essential to both artist and viewer or audience, learning in VCE Art Creative Practice empowers young people to be discerning, and to engage with and make sense of what they see and experience. Students are equipped with practical and theoretical skills that enable them to follow pathways into tertiary art education, further training in art-related careers, as well as roles that require highly developed critical and conceptual engagement with ideas and issues. VCE Art Creative Practice also offers students opportunities for personal development and encourages them to make an ongoing contribution to the culture of their community through participation in lifelong art-making practices.

Structure

The study is made up of four units.

• Unit 1: Interpreting artworks and exploring the Creative Practice

• Unit 2: Interpreting artworks and developing the Creative Practice

• Unit 3: Investigation, ideas, artworks and the Creative Practice

• Unit 4: Interpreting, resolving and presenting artworks and the Creative Practice

Each unit deals with specific content contained in areas of study and is designed to enable students to achieve a set of outcomes for that unit. Each outcome is described in terms of key knowledge and key skills.

Entry
There are no prerequisites for entry to Units 1, 2 and 3; however, Units 1 and 2 form the foundation of the key knowledge and key skills for Units 3 and 4. Students must undertake Unit 3 and Unit 4 as a sequence. Units 1–4 are designed to the equivalent standard of the final two years of secondary education. All VCE studies are benchmarked against comparable national and international curriculum.

Assessment

Satisfactory completion

The award of satisfactory completion for a unit is based on the teacher’s decision that the student has demonstrated achievement of the set of outcomes specified for the unit. Demonstration of achievement of outcomes and satisfactory completion of a unit are determined by evidence gained through the assessment of a range of learning activities and tasks.

Teachers must develop courses that provide appropriate opportunities for students to demonstrate satisfactory achievement of outcomes.

The decision about satisfactory completion of a unit is distinct from the assessment of levels of achievement. Schools will report a student’s result for each unit to the VCAA as S (satisfactory) or N (not Satisfactory).

Levels of achievement

Units 1 and 2

Procedures for the assessment of levels of achievement in Units 1 and 2 are a matter for school decision. Assessment of levels of achievement for these units will not be reported to the VCAA. Schools may choose to report levels of achievement using grades, descriptive statements or other indicators.

Units 3 and 4

The VCAA specifies the assessment procedures for students undertaking scored assessment in Units 3 and 4. Designated assessment tasks are provided in the details for each unit in VCE study designs.

The student’s level of achievement in Units 3 and 4 will be determined by School-assessed Coursework (SAC) and a School-assessed Task (SAT) as specified in the VCE study design, and external assessment (examination).

The VCAA will report the student’s level of achievement on each assessment component as a grade from

A+ to E or UG (ungraded). To receive a study score the student must achieve two or more graded assessments in the study and receive an S for both Units 3 and 4. The study score is reported on a scale of 0–50; it is a measure of how well the student performed in relation to all others who took the study. Teachers should refer to the current VCE Administrative Handbook for details on graded assessment and calculation of the study score.

Percentage contributions to the study score in VCE Art Creative Practice are as follows:

• Units 3 and 4 School-assessed Task: 60 per cent

• Unit 4 School-assessed Coursework: 10 per cent

• end-of-year examination: 30 per cent.

Details of the assessment program are described in the sections on Units 3 and 4 in this study design.

Unit 1: Interpreting artworks and exploring the Creative Practice

In Unit 1, students begin exploring art by creating and responding to artworks.

They study artists from different cultures and times, focusing on personal identity and how art communicates meaning. They experiment with various materials and techniques, learning both traditional and contemporary styles. Through hands-on research and reflection, students develop their skills and find their own creative voice.

Unit 2: Interpreting artworks and developing the Creative Practice

In Unit 2, students explore how artists express ideas through both individual and collaborative work. They study artworks from different cultures and times, focusing on how art can reflect or challenge social and personal beliefs.

Students experiment with styles and techniques inspired by their research, using the Cultural Lens to guide their thinking. This helps them understand how cultural influences shape both their own art and the work of others.

Unit 3: Investigation, ideas, artworks and the Creative Practice

In Unit 3, students begin a major Body of Work that continues into Unit 4. They research an artist to inspire their own artwork, experimenting with materials and ideas through a hands-on, creative process.

They also reflect on how artworks communicate meaning and respond to social or personal issues. By using different ways of interpreting art, students develop their own voice and build confidence as independent artists.

Unit 4: Interpreting, resolving and presenting artworks and the Creative Practice

In Unit 4, students finalise their Body of Work, building on ideas from Unit 3. They research artists, refine their techniques, and respond to feedback to complete a resolved artwork. Their creative journey is documented throughout the process.

Students also use Interpretive Lenses to analyse artworks, personally, culturally, and structurally. These help them understand meaning in both their own work and others’, supporting a thoughtful and well-developed final presentation.

Page updated

Report abuse