The mission of the Art Department is to provide each student with a strong foundation in the techniques and processes of producing visual art; to understand the historical importance that visual art has in human society; to assist students in the development of a personal approach when crafting visual art; and to allow students to incorporate new technologies into the process of creating visual art.
ACA offers art to grades 1-12 at the Girls’ Campus and grades 1-5 and 9-12 at the Boys’ Campus. Our program offers our students exposure to a wide variety of mediums, styles and techniques.
Our annual Art Show features the work of our IB Art students and a selection of work from middle and high school.
ACA is happy to offer our students IBDP Art where students combine both their own studio practice along with theory and art history to gain a deeper understanding of visual art.
Art and Design – grades 9 & 10
The art course in grades 9 and 10 aims to develop students’ visual vocabulary and introduce them to a range of media and techniques. The course is designed to provide a variety of topics, enabling students to build on and expand their skills each year. Students are encouraged to develop analytical skills to support practical investigations and research on a variety of artists and art movements.
Skills - Students will develop control of drawing techniques working from observation and imagination. They will learn basic color theory and explore the use of color to create depth and form. The use of a variety of media and techniques will be taught including drawing, painting, printing, mixed media and sculpture.
Assessment is continuous and students are given written and verbal feedback weekly. They are awarded grades for effort and attainment each term.
Sketchbooks should be used to record ideas, observations, research and analysis relevant to the artist or style of study. The purpose of the sketchbooks is to record personal investigation and the creative process.
Painting Elective – grades 11 & 12
The painting elective course aims to enrich cultural awareness and develop skills of inquiry, communication and reasoning through the study of traditional and contemporary movements of art. The course offers two broad areas of study combining investigation and practical application.
Students can use any painting media they are comfortable with depending on the project. Student painting portfolios must:
Demonstrate practical ability in the use of a variety of media and techniques.
Show originality of ideas and outcomes.
Include work of high quality as well as experimental studies.
Show awareness of the assessment criteria.
Sketchbooks should be used to record ideas, observations, research and analysis relevant to the artist or style of study. The purpose of the sketchbooks is to record personal investigation and the creative process.
How can a parent help?
Encourage your son/daughter to find out information about the period we are looking at. Artists are greatly influenced by their surroundings and experiences: political, geographic location, advances in technology and culture all impact on an artist’s work. Skill-based practice, such as drawing from either primary or secondary sources, is always beneficial to a student’s development and should also be encouraged.