Skill

Visual Art, Craft, Design and Photography allows students the opportunity to observe, analyse and engage creatively with the world around them. The students will engage in activities that develop not only their motor skills, but also social, emotional and cognitive skills, developing art appreciation by exploring materials, artists (both historical and contemporary) cultures and social context.

Character

Visual Art, Craft, Design and Photography encourages students to express themselves more creatively, and helps students develop confidence through the capacity to explore ideas in visual mediums. It provides students with opportunities to conceptualise ideas beyond the ‘everyday’ and allows students to visually flourish and thrive, whilst developing curiosity of the world they live in. Students are encouraged to form personalised opinions, enhancing independence, and motivating a deeper thought of different points of view. There are no right answers, but concepts of quality, originality, technical skill, technique, and value are explored.

Experiences

In the Visual Arts, every child will experience the feeling of creating something original and personal with the opportunity to proudly exhibit and showcase their work to an audience. Students will learn to understand and respond to the creative sources around them, not only in the classroom, but also in their everyday life; thinking about what, how and why they see line, tone, colour, pattern, composition and design in multiple contexts. By engaging, reflecting and observing art and design in everyday contexts, students will experience and understand that ideas and emotions can be expressed in many different ways. Art, Craft, Design and Photography are part of our everyday experience and is not ‘highbrow’ or only for a few sections of society. In our school context, Photography is explored using digital imagery to engage with Visual Art.

Criticality

Visual Art, Craft, Design and Photography enhances thinking through ‘ways of seeing’. Students are encouraged to look more closely and observe the visual cues and symbols in the world around them. It creates a mindful approach to life where students learn to visualise through careful observation and enhanced imagination. Discussing their Art, Craft, Design and Photography work and the art and design work of their peers encourages listening to others’ point of view and provides an opportunity for students to work collaboratively and present their personal ideas using language effectively to express clearly to others what they see, how they feel, and why. 

Curriculum Map