Rationale
Visual Arts Years 11–12 develops knowledge and skills to make and interpret artworks to understand the world in a range of ways. Visual Arts provides significant opportunities for students to investigate their strengths and abilities in practical and theoretical ways. Through Art making, and Art criticism and art history, students develop informed points of view to explain the meaning, significance and value of art to others.
Visual arts expand students’ understanding of the role of art in historical and contemporary societies and cultures. By exploring connections between the past and present, students can recognise patterns in shared histories and cultural representations. Students investigate the rich and diverse Cultures, histories and Practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Students gain knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of Knowing, Being and Doing and how these inform Cultural Expressions, interpretation and engagement. Respecting Cultural protocols, students learn to interpret art that is informed by lived experiences, connection to Community, Country or Place, and Storytelling.
Visual Arts 11–12 develops and deepens practical, critical and historical knowledge by acknowledging the different sets of beliefs and values that can support understanding and practice. Students consider conceptual and material practice by examining the actions, choices and judgements that shape meaning. Through their engagement with a range of artworks students develop an understanding and appreciation of different interpretations and representations of art. Students experiment, refine and resolve artworks that respond to the world and engage audiences.
Through investigations of concepts and practices students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to make, interpret and evaluate artists and artworks with increasing independence. They develop their practice as artists through critical engagement with artistic practices to apply conventions with intentionality in artworks. They develop the knowledge and analytical skills to communicate critical interpretations and historical accounts. Visual Arts cultivates creativity, adaptability and innovation, preparing students to navigate an evolving creative landscape. Visual Arts can support future pathways in diverse fields such as fine arts, illustration, design, digital media, animation, architecture, curation, art education, film, gallery and museum work alongside a range of other industries including marketing, communications and policy development.