Unit 1: Interpreting artworks and exploring the Creative Practice

In Unit 1 students use Experiential learning in Making and Responding to explore ideas using the Creative Practice. As the artist and audience, students consider their connection to artworks, and how their communication of ideas and presentation of artworks challenge, shape and influence viewer or audience perspectives. This course allows for students to explore a range of artmaking practices including, analogue and digital photography, painting, drawing and illustration, collage, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, fibre and wearable art, video and sound or combinations presented as mixed media-based installation linked to their individual themes.

Areas of Study

• Artists, artworks and audiencesIn this area of study students are introduced to the Structural and the Personal Lenses by researching and analysing three artists, their practices and their artworks. They analyse one artwork by each artist and interpret meanings and messages using the Structural and Personal Lenses.
  • In this area of study students are introduced to the Structural and the Personal Lenses by researching and analysing three artists, their practices and their artworks. They analyse one artwork by each artist and interpret meanings and messages using the Structural and Personal Lenses.

• The Creative PracticeIn this area of study students are introduced to the Creative Practice through Experiential learning activities guided by the teacher. Students explore at least three art forms.
  • In this area of study students are introduced to the Creative Practice through Experiential learning activities guided by the teacher. Students explore at least three art forms.

• Documenting and Reflecting on the Creative PracticeStudents develop their art practice by responding to the ways artists conceptualise, develop and make their artworks. They provide annotated documentation of their experiences in Making and Responding in a form appropriate to their art practice.
  • Students develop their art practice by responding to the ways artists conceptualise, develop and make their artworks. They provide annotated documentation of their experiences in Making and Responding in a form appropriate to their art practice.

Assessment Outcomes

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss the practices of three artists, and apply the Structural Lens and the Personal Lens to analyse and interpret one artwork by each artist. Suitable tasks may include:
  • an extended written response
  • short-answer responses supported by visual references
  • an annotated visual report
  • a presentation using digital technologies such as an online presentation or interactive website
  • an oral presentation

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to use the Creative Practice to develop and make visual responses informed by their exploration of personal interests and ideas.
  • Students produce a range of personal visual responses to a selection of set tasks, showing the exploration of ideas, materials and techniques in at least three art forms. Finished artworks are not an expectation of this outcome but can be considered in the student’s use of the Creative Practice.

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to document and evaluate the components of the Creative Practice used to make personal visual responses.
  • Students document their use of the Creative Practice, including annotated personal visual responses to a selection of set tasks.
  • Where teachers allow students to choose between tasks, they must ensure that the tasks they set are of comparable scope and demand.

Link to VCAA Study Design: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/vce/art/2023ArtCreativePracticeSD.docx

Unit 2: Interpreting artworks and developing the Creative Practice

In Unit 2 students use Inquiry learning to investigate the artistic and collaborative practices of artists. They use the Cultural Lens, and the other Interpretive Lenses as appropriate, to examine artworks from different periods of time and cultures, and to explore the different ways that artists interpret and communicate social and personal ideas in artworks.

Students explore the collaborative practices of artists and use the Creative Practice to make and present artworks. They develop visual responses based on their investigations, exploring the way historical and contemporary cultural contexts, ideas and approaches have influenced the artworks and the practices of the artists they investigate, as well as their own art practice.

Artworks can acknowledge specific ideas or beliefs, or commemorate people, institutions, social movements and events. They can reinforce the intentions and purpose of a social, cultural or community group, or they can challenge social or cultural attitudes and assumptions. Throughout Unit 2, students examine the importance of the social and cultural contexts of artworks and analyse the varying social functions that art can serve. They also investigate how artworks can be created as forms of expression for specific social and cultural contexts. Students research historical and contemporary artworks and explore diverse and alternative approaches to making and presenting artworks.

While the focus of this unit is on the Cultural Lens, students should continue to apply aspects of the Structural and Personal Lenses where relevant in the analysis and interpretation of artworks and in the documentation of their art practice.

Areas of Study

• The artist, society and culture
  • In this area of study students focus on the ways in which art reflects and communicates the values, beliefs and traditions of the societies in which it was created. They will apply the Cultural Lens to study the practices of at least three artists from different cultures and times.
• The collaborative Creative Practice
  • In this area of study students continue to develop their art practice as they explore collaborative practices to make and present artworks. Collaborative practice can include working with other students to create a collective artwork, working with practicing artists and outside specialists, or creating artworks that involve or collaborate with the audience through interaction and participation.
• Documentation of collaboration using the Creative Practice
  • In this area of study students build on their knowledge and skills and continue to document their art practice. They develop and evaluate their use of visual language. Before finishing their artwork, students present a critique of their use of the Creative Practice. They respond to the feedback they receive from the critique to resolve their artwork.

Assessment Outcomes

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to use the Cultural Lens, and the other Interpretive Lenses as appropriate, to analyse and compare the practices of artists and artworks from different cultures and times. Suitable tasks may include:
  • an extended written response
  • short-answer responses supported by visual references
  • an annotated visual report
  • a digital presentation such as an online or interactive presentation
  • an oral presentation

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to use the Creative Practice to explore social and cultural ideas or issues to make and present at least one finished artwork using collaborative approaches. Suitable tasks may include:
  • visual responses that demonstrate the use of the Creative Practice, collaboration and the exploration of personal ideas related to social and cultural contexts
  • presentation of at least one finished artwork that realises the intentions of the student and demonstrates the refinement of materials, techniques and processes
• On completion of this unit the student should be able to critically reflect on, evaluate and document their use of the Creative Practice to develop and make collaborative visual responses. Suitable tasks may include:
  • documentation of the Creative Practice, in the form of critical annotations, that presents explorations in selected art forms, and demonstrates the development of the student’s collaborative practice
  • a critique of the development of personal ideas, directions, explorations, visual language, technical skills, processes and artworks. The critique can be presented orally and should be accompanied by written and visual documentation
  • evaluation of the Creative Practice and the presentation of finished artworks
  • evaluation of visual responses that effectively communicate social and cultural meaning

Link to VCAA Study Design: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/vce/art/2023ArtCreativePracticeSD.docx

Unit 3: Investigation, ideas, artworks and the Creative Practice

In this unit students use Inquiry and Project-based learning as starting points to develop a Body of Work. They explore ideas and experiment with materials, techniques and processes using the Creative Practice. The research of historical and contemporary artists is integral to students’ use of the Creative Practice and informs the basis of their investigation. Students also investigate the issues that may arise from the artworks they view and discuss, or those evolving from the practice of the artist. Unit 3 commences with students researching the practice of a selected artist as the starting point to develop a finished artwork. The finished artwork will contribute to the Body of Work developed over Units 3 and 4.

Areas of Study

• Investigation and presentation
  • Research and exploration
    • In this area of study students use Project-based learning as they begin to develop a Body of Work. Students research one artwork by a selected contemporary or historical artist as inspiration for their own art practice.
  • Resolution, presentation and critique
    • Students refine their skills and visual language in the resolution and presentation of at least one finished artwork. They will demonstrate how the idea they have chosen to explore relates and responds to their research. Students evaluate, reflect and talk about their use of the Creative Practice in a critique, which includes the presentation of at least one finished artwork. Students reflect on the feedback they receive from the critique and consider how they can expand upon their ideas as they continue to develop their Body of Work in Area of Study 2.
• Personal investigation using the Creative Practice
  • In this area of study students continue to develop a Body of Work through Inquiry learning. They use the Creative Practice to develop their own visual responses inspired by ideas and experiences. Students document, critically analyse and evaluate their responses and art making throughout the Creative Practice, using art terminology. Students select and apply the appropriate Interpretive Lenses to annotate their art making throughout the Creative Practice.

Assessment Outcomes

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to develop personal ideas using research that examines one artwork and the practice of an artist, and produce at least one finished artwork using the Creative Practice. Suitable tasks include:
  • A presentation of the research conducted by the student, using any one or a combination of the following:
    • a written report of 300–500 words with documented visual evidence
    • an annotated visual report
    • a critique presented in a digital format, such as an online presentation or interactive website
    • an oral critique with documented visual and written evidence.
  • And at least one finished artwork that responds to the ideas explored using the Creative Practice
• On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply and explore ideas and an area of personal interest using the Creative Practice.
  • A documented Body of Work that presents explorations and the development of personal ideas within selected art forms, using the Creative Practice and including reflective annotations.

Link to VCAA Study Design: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/vce/art/2023ArtCreativePracticeSD.docx

Unit 4: Interpreting, resolving and presenting artworks and the Creative Practice

In Unit 4 students continue to develop their art practice through Project-based and Inquiry learning as their research and exploration continues to support the development of their Body of Work. Throughout their research students study the practices of selected historical and contemporary artists to inform their own art practice. They use the Interpretive Lenses to analyse, compare and interpret the meanings and messages of artworks produced by the artists they study. Students also apply the Interpretive Lenses throughout the Creative Practice to resolve and refine their Body of Work.

Students continue to build upon the ideas begun in Unit 3 and present a critique of their use of the Creative Practice. They reflect on the feedback from their critique to further refine and resolve a Body of Work that demonstrates their use of the Creative Practice and the realisation of their personal ideas. The students present their Body of Work to an audience accompanied by documentation of their use of the Creative Practice.

Areas of Study

• Documentation and critique of the Creative Practice
  • In this area of study students continue to use the Creative Practice to develop, refine and resolve the ideas they developed in Unit 3. After beginning Unit 4 students present a critique to evaluate and reflect upon their use of the Creative Practice.
  • Using art terminology, students critically analyse and evaluate their use of the Creative Practice. Through the documentation of their use of the Creative Practice, they reflect on personal ideas as they progressively develop, refine, resolve and present their Body of Work.
• Resolution and presentation of a Body of Work
  • In this area of study students continue to use Inquiry and Project-based learning as the basis for their use of the Creative Practice. They further develop and refine the Body of Work commenced in Unit 3, and continue their ongoing exploration and experimentation of personal responses. Using the feedback received from their critique, students progressively refine and resolve their ideas and visual language in their artworks. Students also consider the presentation and context of their Body of Work, and how ideas and meaning are communicated to a viewer or audience.
• Comparison of artists, their practice and their artworks
  • In this area of study students undertake research of artists, their practices and their artworks. They critically analyse and interpret the meanings and messages of artworks and use evidence and the appropriate Interpretive Lenses to support their interpretation and point of view. Using appropriate terminology, they compare the meanings and messages of historical and contemporary artworks.

Assessment Outcomes

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to document their use of Creative Practice and present a critique to inform the refinement and resolution of a Body of Work.
  • A critique of the development, refinement and resolution of personal concepts, ideas, directions, explorations and the use of visual language in artworks.
  • And a documented Body of Work that presents ongoing explorations and development of personal concepts within selected art forms, using the Creative Practice and including reflective annotations.
• On completion of this unit the student should be able to use the Creative Practice to resolve and present a Body of Work.A Body of Work that resolves personal concepts, ideas and explorations using the Creative Practice, including the presentation of one or more finished artworks that resolve the student’s intentions.
  • A Body of Work that resolves personal concepts, ideas and explorations using the Creative Practice, including the presentation of one or more finished artworks that resolve the student’s intentions.On completion of this unit the student should be able to compare the practices of historical and contemporary artists, and use the Interpretive Lenses to analyse and interpret the meanings and messages of selected artworks. Suitable tasks include:
• On completion of this unit the student should be able to compare the practices of historical and contemporary artists, and use the Interpretive Lenses to analyse and interpret the meanings and messages of selected artworks. Suitable tasks include:Any one or a combination of the following tasks:
  • Any one or a combination of the following tasks:
    • a written reporto an extended response
    • an extended responseshort-answer responses
    • short-answer responsesstructured questions
    • structured questions
    • an annotated visual reporta response presented in a digital format, such as an online presentation or interactive website
    • a response presented in a digital format, such as an online presentation or interactive website
    • an oral presentation with documented evidence.

Link to VCAA Study Design: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/vce/art/2023ArtCreativePracticeSD.docx