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
βThe 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.β
Aims
From the IB Visual Arts guide.
β 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.β
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
Theatr
Aims
The aims of the programme in Theatre Arts are to:
- 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.
Programme Outline
The programme is designed with reference to three factors:
- The cultural background and personal needs of the student
- The location of the school, its facilities and the influence of local culture
- The students own training and special needs
The programme reflects the distinctive multicultural perspective of the IB and attempts to avoid a programme based on merely one or two traditional concepts of Theatre Arts
External assessment.
- Research Commission. This is a research essay investigating an area of world theatre studies of your choice. 25% of total mark.
- Practical Play Analysis. This is an oral exam in which you outline how you would direct a play from a choice of play scripts. 25% of total mark.
Internal assessment - teacher assessed.
- Portfolio. A record of the experiences, learning and reflections of the student on the course based on their journal entries. 25% for Standard Level and 15% for Higher Level.
- Individual Project. A practical project on any area of theatre chosen by the student at Higher Level only. 10%.
- Performance Skills and Theatre Production. A mark given for contributions to class work and theatre productions. 25%.
The knowledge and learning you will acquire will help you to develop as a person and is valued by many professions and higher learning institutions. You will also have fun in the process!
Steve Reynolds
This page was last updated on 7-16-2008.
