Group 6 — Art and Electives OR a second subject in Group 1, 2, 3 or 4
- Visual Arts (HL and SL)
- Theatre (HL and SL)
- Online Visual Art Gallery
Visual Arts
“The impulse to make art is common to all people. From earliest times, human beings have displayed a fundamental need to create and communicate personal and cultural meaning through art.”
Aims
From the IB Visual Arts guide.
“ The aims of the visual arts course at higher and standard level are to enable students to:
- investigate past, present and emerging forms of visual arts and engage in producing, appreciating and evaluating these
- develop an understanding of visual arts from a local, national and international perspective
- build confidence in responding visually and creatively to personal and cultural experiences
- develop skills in, and sensitivity to, the creation of works that reflect active and individual involvement
- take responsibility for the direction of their learning through the acquisition of effective working practices.”
Programme Outline
The programme invites students to use their personal experiences as the motivation for the making of art works. Emphasis is placed upon the multicultural perspective of IB, and as a means of enriching visual understanding a variety of cultural traditions and concepts are explored. Students will be challenged to develop ideas and to make informed decisions about visual issues. While a variety of techniques and media will be explored, the focus is on understanding how the visual arts operate rather than just on technical skill.
Successful students commit many hours beyond the classroom to the study of the Visual Arts. Generally this is an enjoyable experience and the Art Studio is a busy, productive and positive place. Having done Art before is helpful, especially at HL Option A, but is not a necessary prerequisite. Each year a number of students take up Art who have no prior learning in the subject and achieve good results. Speak to some 2nd year Art students and find out how they feel about their Visual Arts experiences.
The programme is divided into two parts, Studio Work and Investigation Workbooks:
Studio Work is the production of resolved Art works that culminates in a combined exhibition. The work may take the form of paintings, sculptures, prints, photography, etc. or a combination of media.
Investigation Workbooks involve the gathering and sorting of visual information and ideas. The Workbooks will include drawings, collage, photos, and written notes etc. covering contextual, visual and critical investigations.
Standard Level and Higher Level:
At both levels the percentage mark weighting is a 60% – 40% split between Studio Work and Investigation Workbooks and may be allocated as the student chooses.
Option A: 60% Studio Work and 40% Investigation Workbook (the most popular option);
Option B: 40% Studio Work and 60% Investigation Workbook.
Assessment
The assessment in Visual Arts consists of two parts. Option A students present an exhibition of their finished Studio Work, which is assessed by an external examiner following an interview with each student. Their Investigation Workbooks are assessed internally, and moderated externally. In this way the process of artistic development is considered as well as the finished product. For Option B, the Investigation Workbook is assessed by the examiner and the Studio Work is assessed internally and moderated by the IBO.
Selwyn Price
Theatre
Aims
There are many benefits to studying Theatre. The course aims to achieve the following: -
- Develop self-confidence.
- Develop communication skills.
- Develop team building skills.
- Develop creativity and imagination.
- Study theatre forms and styles from around the world.
- Study theatre practitioners (actors, directors, designers etc).
- Develop performance skills (voice, movement, and characterization).
- Develop technical theatre skills (such as stage lighting and theatre design).
- Develop research skills.
Course outline
Throughout the course the student will explore why theatre is an integral part of human development, its historical background and its links between different cultures. The subject has a strong practical element and the keeping of a journal is central to recording the learning experiences of the student and in preparation for assessed coursework. During the course students will: -
- Study at least three play texts, practitioners and theatrical styles from around the world, currently including Brazil, China, England, Italy, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania and the United States of America.
- Be involved in at least three public presentations as a performer and backstage/technical person.
- Develop non-performance theatre skills such as mask making, set design and stage lighting.
- Attend several public performances and workshops, working with and watching professional artists.
Assessment
External assessment
- Research investigation. This is a research essay investigating a theatre tradition of the student’s choice (that they have not studied in clas). 25% of total mark.
- Practical performance proposal. A proposal in words and images to suggest how the student would direct a performance from a choice of stimuli provided by the IB. 25% of total mark.
Internal assessment – teacher assessed.
- Theatre performance and production presentation. A presentation in words and images to communicate the experiences, learning and reflections of the student at the end of the course. 25% of total mark.
- Independent project portfolio. A portfolio recording and reflecting on the process of a practical theatre project entirely chosen and realized by the student (e.g. lighting; directing; acting etc). 25% of total mark.
The knowledge and learning acquired by the student facilitates their personal development and makes a valuable contribution to their overall IB Diploma success and the skills and knowledge gained are valued by many professions and higher learning institutions. Students will also have fun in the process!
Steve Reynolds
This page was last updated on September 30, 2009.
