Academic
Art History
AP Art History is designed to allow students to examine major forms of artistic expression relevant to a variety of cultures evident in wide variety of periods from present times into the past. Students acquire an ability to examine works of art critically, with intelligence and sensitivity, and to articulate their thoughts and experiences. The main topic is European Art, with focuses on African, Hindu, South and East Asian, Islamic, and Prehistoric art.
The multiple choice section includes 80 questions that must be answered in 1 hour. This section is 50% of the total score. There will be approximately 8 sets of 3-6 questions that are based on color images and approximately 35 individual multiple choice questions. The answers will only be based on the knowledge of the 250 required images, but questions may use attribution pieces.
The free-response section includes two 30-minute essay questions and six 15-minute essay questions that must be answered in a 2-hour time frame. This section is 50% of the total score. The 30-minute essay questions are worth 7 points. The 15-minute essay questions are worth 5 points. All the responses are written in an academic essay format. The essay questions often include images of works of art as stimuli. While the responses written are based on the knowledge of the 250 required images, attribution pieces may also be used in the question and optionally in student's answer.
AP Studio Art
1. Drawing
AP Studio Art Drawing is an advanced placement course that deals with basic painting and drawing. Focus is applied on the composition of the different lines/colors/shape/etc... of the painting instead of the design itself. Originally called AP Studio Art, it was later changed to AP Studio Art Drawing.
-
Section I: Quality: A student submits 5 actual artwork to the AP College Board that represent the student's quality of technique and their design concepts.
-
Section II: Concentration: A student submits 12 different slides that demonstrate the student's ability to paint and draw a variety of pieces that relate to 1 idea. These are arranged in a special order on slide coverings from College Board.
-
Section III: Breadth: A student submits 12 additional and different slides that demonstrate the student's ability to incorporate drawing techniques and issues that include drawing from observation, work with inverted or nonobjective forms, effective use of light and shade, line quality, surface manipulation, composition, various spatial systems, and expressive mark-making.
2. 2D
It deals with two-dimensional applications such as graphic design, photography, weaving, and collage. As a contrary to AP Studio Art Drawing, focus is applied on the design itself instead of the composition of the artwork.
-
Section I: Quality: A student submits 5 actual artwork that represents the student's quality of designing pieces in 2D.
-
Section II: Concentration: A student submits 12 different slides that demonstrate the student's ability to make a variety of pieces in 2D that relate to 1 idea.
-
Section III: Breadth: A student submits 12 additional and different slides that demonstrate the student's ability to incorporate 2D Design principles that include unity/variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion/scale, and figure-ground relationship.
3. 3D
The course deals with three-dimensional artistic applications such as metalworking, sculpture, model, and ceramics. The focus on the design of the artwork itself as opposed to its composition.
-
Section I: Quality: The actual work for this exam is three-dimensional and not flat, so transporting it directly to The College Board could cause damage to the artwork and the pieces would most likely not fit in portfolios. Because of this, five pieces of artwork are shown in ten slides to showcase the quality of the student's three-dimensional pieces.
-
Section II: Concentration: 12 different slides are submitted to demonstrate the student's ability to produce a variety of pieces that relate to a single idea.
-
Section III: Breadth: Eight different works are shown in 16 slides which are meant to demonstrate the student's ability to incorporate a variety of different 3D Design principles, including unity/variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion/scale, and figure/ground relationship.
IB Visual Arts
Comparative study - 20%
-
Students analyze and compare different artworks by different artists. This independent critical and contextual investigation explores artworks, objects and artifacts from differing cultural contexts.
At SL: Compare at least 3 different artworks, by at least 2 different artists, with commentary over 10–15 pages.
At HL: As SL plus a reflection on the extent to which their work and practices have been influenced by any of the art/artists examined (3–5 pages).
Process portfolio - 40 %
-
Students submit carefully selected materials which evidence their experimentation, exploration, manipulation and refinement of a variety of visual arts activities during the two-year course.
At SL: 9–18 pages. The submitted work should be in at least two different art-making forms.
At HL: 13–25 pages. The submitted work should be in at least three different art-making forms.
Exhibition - 40%
-
Students submit for assessment a selection of resolved artworks from their exhibition. The selected pieces should show evidence of their technical accomplishment during the visual arts course and an understanding of the use of materials, ideas and practices appropriate to visual communication
At SL: 4–7 pieces with exhibition text for each. A curatorial rationale (400 words maximum).
At HL: 8–11 pieces with exhibition text for each. A curatorial rationale (700 words maximum)