The visual arts are an integral part of everyday life, permeating all levels of human creativity, expression, communication and understanding. They range from traditional art forms to the varied and divergent practices associated with emerging and contemporary forms of visual language. They can be persuasive and subversive in some instances, enlightening and uplifting in others. We celebrate the visual arts not only in the way we create images and objects, but also in the way we appreciate, enjoy, respect and respond to the practices of art-making by others from around the world.

In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to experiment with a range of materials and techniques, developing analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking, while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. Students direct their own thematic investigations which support and inform the studio work and reflect the student’s creative thinking and their visual inquiry.

The three assessed components of the course are:

1. The Comparative Study (External assessment, 20%) – Students analyse and compare different artworks by different artists. This independent critical and contextual investigation explores artworks, objects and artefacts from differing cultural contexts.
2. The Journal and Process Portfolio (External Assessment, 40%) – Students submit carefully selected materials which evidence their experimentation, exploration, manipulation and refinement of a variety of visual arts activities during the two-year course.
3. The Exhibition (Internal Assessment, 40%) – Accompanied by their curatorial rationale, students submit for assessment a selection of resolved artworks for exhibition. The selected pieces should demonstrate their technical accomplishment during the visual arts course and an understanding of the use of materials, ideas and practices appropriate to visual communication.

This is an exciting opportunity for those who are committed to art to develop their aesthetic, imaginative and expressive abilities through art-making and critical thinking skills.

Through inquiry, investigation, reflection and creative application, visual arts students develop an appreciation for the expressive and aesthetic diversity in the world around them, becoming critically informed makers and consumers of visual culture. The course is designed for students who want to go on to study visual arts in higher education as well as for those who are seeking lifelong enrichment through visual arts.

We currently follow: http://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/the-arts/visual-arts/