VCE+Art

The VCE Art study recognises art as an integral part of our lives. Art is a potent and dynamic visual language through which we are able to communicate personal experiences, ideas, cultural values and beliefs. In both the process of making and examining art, students can realise the power to inspire change through imagination, creativity and innovation. Within the VCE Art study, theoretical research and investigation informs art making. Students are encouraged to recognise the interplay between researches and art making. This provides students with an informed context that supports an awareness of art as a tool for cultural and personal communication, in addition to providing stimulus and inspiration for their own art making. The study acknowledges the value of creativity and analytical thinking in preparing students for today’s world by encouraging imagination, flexibility, adaptability and risk-taking. Students develop their visual language through personal and independent learning by combining a focused study of artworks with practical art making. The study is designed to enable students to acquire a broad knowledge of art through the development of skills in the exploration of ideas, diverse media, analysis, interpretation and the understanding of historical and cultural context.
 * AIMS**

**UNIT 1: Art**


 * Areas of study**

**1. Art and meaning** It introduces the concept of Analytical Frameworks to support the interpretation of the meanings and messages of artworks, both as intended by the artist and as interpreted by the viewer.

Students are encouraged to develop and apply skills while exploring areas of individual interest to create artworks. Students undertake a range of experiences that offer different ways of working. They build confidence through the guided exploration of techniques, materials and processes.
 * 2. Art making and personal meaning**
 * Assessment Tasks**
 * Outcome 1**

On completion of this unit students should have completed a folio that contains developmental work and final artwork(s) that demonstrate experimentation in media and techniques within a particular art form or media.

On completion of this unit the student should be able to present visual creative responses that demonstrate their personal interests and ideas through trialling techniques, materials and processes. **UNIT 2: Art**
 * Outcome 2**
 * Areas of study**

This area of study focuses on the ways in which art reflects and communicates the values, beliefs and traditions of the societies for and in which it is created. Students explore and investigate the ways in which the world and the artist have changed over time and the factors that influence these changes.
 * 1. Art and culture**

**2. Artmaking** **and cultural expression** In this area of study students explore areas of personal interest related to their cultural identification and experiment with visual language to present their ideas. Observations, imagination, ideas or concepts may be starting points for them to experiment with techniques, materials, processes and art forms. Using the Formal Framework, they analyse formal qualities in their artworks and document their creative and technical processes. They reflect on their own artmaking and examine how they have used art elements and principles to develop their visual language. They examine their artmaking and reflect on how cultural aspects are evidenced in their artwork. They use appropriate health and safety practices **Assessment tasks**

On completion of this unit the student should be able to demonstrate technical and artistic development in the presentation of visual responses that include one finished artwork, through the exploration of selected media, materials and techniques. On completion of this unit the student should be able to demonstrate technical and artistic development in the presentation of visual responses that include one finished artwork, through the exploration of selected media, materials and techniques. **UNIT 3: Art** **Areas of study** In this area of study students respond critically; as they interpret the meanings and messages of artworks. They develop, examine and analyse their own and others’ opinions and use evidence to support different points of view. Students undertake research to support their analysis. Using appropriate art language, they compare and contrast artworks produced before 1970 with artworks produced since 1970.
 * Outcome I**
 * Outcome 2**
 * 1) Interpreting art**

**2) Investigation and interpretation through artmaking** In this area of study students develop their own art responses inspired by ideas, concepts and observations. They apply imagination and creativity as they explore and develop their visual language through the investigation and experimentation of materials, techniques, processes and art form/s. They engage in ongoing exploration, reflection, analysis and evaluation as they progressively develop and refine their ideas. They document and analyse their thinking and working practices throughout this process, using the language and context of selected Analytical Frameworks to guide their reflection. On completion of this unit the student should be able to use the Analytical Frameworks to analyse and interpret artworks produced before 1970 and artworks produced since 1970, and compare and contrast the meanings and messages of artworks produced before 1970 with those of artworks produced since 1970. On completion of this unit the student should be able to explore personal ideas and concepts through conceptual and practical investigation including at least one finished artwork, using selected Analytical Frameworks to reflect upon and annotate their work. **UNIT 4: Art**
 * Assessment Tasks** **Outcome 1**
 * Outcome 2**
 * Areas of study**

1. **Discussing and debating art** Students discuss and debate art issues such as the varying interpretations of the role of art in society.They research, analyse and interpret artworks related to their discussion. They refer to a range of resources and commentaries to examine and debate opinions and arguments, and refer to artists and artworks to support their points of view.

2. **Realisation and resolution** Students continue to develop the body of work begun in Unit 3 and work toward resolved ideas and concepts leading to at least one finished artwork other than the work that was completed for Unit 3 **Assessment tasks**


 * Outcomes**

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss and debate an art issue using selected artist/s works as context, and present their informed opinion with reference to artworks and with the support of selected commentaries and relevant aspects of the Analytical Frameworks.

2.On completion of this unit the student should have progressively communicated ideas, directions and/or personal concepts in a body of work that includes at least one finished artwork, having used selected Analytical Frameworks to underpin reflections on their artmaking.