VCE Art Making and Exhibiting introduces students to the methods used to make artworks and how artworks are presented and exhibited.
Students use inquiry learning to explore, develop and refine the use of materials, techniques and processes and to develop their knowledge and understanding of the ways artworks are made. They learn how art elements and art principles are used to create aesthetic qualities in artworks and how ideas are communicated through the use of visual language. Their knowledge and skills evolve through the experience of making and presenting their own artworks and through the viewing and analysis of artworks by other artists.
Visiting and viewing exhibitions and displays of artwork is a necessary part of this study. It helps students understand how artworks are displayed and exhibitions are curated. It also has an influence on the students’ own practice, and encourages them to broaden and develop their own ideas and thinking around their own art making.
A strong focus on the way we respond to artworks in galleries, museums, other exhibition spaces and site-specific spaces is integral to study and research in VCE Art Making and Exhibiting. The way institutions design exhibitions and present artworks, and also how they conserve and promote exhibitions, are key aspects of the study.
explore the characteristics and properties of materials, techniques and processes
understand the use and application of materials in relation to the historical development of art forms, across different periods of time and cultures
develop an understanding of aesthetic qualities in artworks and how they are used in art making
learn how to work independently and collaboratively
develop an understanding of the sources that inform and influence art making
investigate the practices of artists from different periods of time and cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and their use of materials, techniques and processes, and how these contribute to the making of their artworks
understand how artists use visual language to communicate ideas and meaning in artworks
understand how exhibitions are planned and produced by galleries, museums, other exhibition spaces and site-specific spaces and how artworks are curated and displayed for audiences
understand the methods used and considerations involved in the preparation, presentation and conservation of artworks.
Unit 1: Explore, expand and investigate
Unit 2: Understand, develop and resolve
Unit 3: Collect, extend and connect
Unit 4: Consolidate, present and conserve
In this unit students explore materials, techniques and processes in a range of art forms. They expand their knowledge and understanding of the characteristics, properties and application of materials used in art making. They explore selected materials to understand how they relate to specific art forms and how they can be used in the making of artworks. Students also explore the historical development of specific art forms and investigate how the characteristics, properties and use of materials and techniques have changed over time. Throughout their investigation students become aware of and understand the safe handling of materials they use.
Students explore the different ways artists use materials, techniques and processes. The students’ exploration and experimentation with materials and techniques stimulates ideas, inspires different ways of working and enables a broad understanding of the specific art forms. Their exploration and experimentation is documented in both visual and written form in a Visual Arts journal.
Area of Study 1: Explore – materials, techniques and art forms
On completion of this unit the student should be able to explore the characteristics and properties of materials and demonstrate how they can be manipulated to develop subject matter and represent ideas in art making.
Area of Study 2: Expand – make, present and reflect
On completion of this unit the student should be able to make and present at least one finished artwork and document their art making in a Visual Arts journal.
Area of Study 3: Investigate – research and present
On completion of this unit the student should be able to research Australian artists and present information about them in a format appropriate for a proposed exhibition.
In Unit 2 students continue to research how artworks are made by investigating how artists use aesthetic qualities to represent ideas in artworks. They broaden their investigation to understand how artworks are displayed to audiences, and how ideas are represented to communicate meaning.
Students respond to a set theme and progressively develop their own ideas. Students learn how to develop their ideas using materials, techniques and processes, and art elements and art principles. They consolidate these ideas to plan and make finished artworks, reflecting on their knowledge and understanding of the aesthetic qualities of artworks. The planning and development of at least one finished artwork are documented in their Visual Arts journal.
Students investigate how artists use art elements and art principles to develop aesthetic qualities and style in an artwork. Working in their Visual Arts journal they begin to discover and understand how each of the art elements and art principles can be combined to convey different emotions and expression in their own and others’ artworks. They also explore how art elements and art principles create visual language in artworks.
Students begin to understand how exhibitions are planned and designed and how spaces are organised for exhibitions. They also investigate the roles associated with the planning of exhibitions and how artworks are selected and displayed in specific spaces. This offers students the opportunity to engage with exhibitions, whether they are in galleries, museums, other exhibition spaces or site-specific spaces.
Area of Study 1: Understand – ideas, artworks and exhibition
On completion of this unit the student should be able to select a range of artworks from an exhibition and other sources to design their own thematic exhibition.
Area of Study 2: Develop – theme, aesthetic qualities and style
On completion of this unit the student should be able to explore and progressively document the use of art elements, art principles and aesthetic qualities to make experimental artworks in response to a selected theme.
Area of Study 3: Resolve – ideas, subject matter and style
On completion of this unit the student should be able to progressively document art making to develop and resolve subject matter and ideas in at least one finished artwork.
All assessments at Units 1 and 2 are school-based. Procedures for assessment of levels of achievement in Units 1 and 2 are a matter for school decision.
Unit 1 For this unit students are required to demonstrate three outcomes. As a set these outcomes encompass the areas of study in the unit.
Suitable tasks for assessment in this unit may be selected from the following.
Outcome 1: Visual Arts journal
Students record and document art making in the Visual Arts journal using written and visual material. The Visual Arts journal includes:
demonstration of the exploration of materials, techniques and processes, in a range of art forms
demonstration of technical skill in using materials in a range of art forms
documentation and evaluation of the exploration of materials, techniques and processes in a range of art forms.
Outcome 2: Finished artworks
Students develop at least one finished artwork from the experimental works completed in Area of Study 1. The finished artwork demonstrates:
the use of materials and techniques in a specific art form
the development of skills in specific art forms
how techniques have been used to represent ideas in at least one finished artwork in a specific art form.
Outcome 3: Information for an exhibition
Students present information about three Australian artists, including at least one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist, and at least one artwork by each artist in one of the following formats:
a guided introduction to the works in a brochure or catalogue or on a website
a guided tour of the exhibition
a series of postcards discussing each artwork
a review of an exhibition visited or viewed.
The presentation includes:
an artwork by each artist with the title, date, materials, current location and size
information and overview of each artist, including the artist’s background, where they work/worked and influences
information and overview of the exhibition of the artworks, discussing the relationships between the artists and their artworks
information about the materials, techniques and processes used for each artwork
information about how each artist applies materials, techniques and processes in the artworks
information about how each artist represents ideas, develops subject matter and communicates meaning in their artworks
art terminology relevant to specific art forms and for the exhibition of artworks.
The presentation could be hard copy or in a digital format such as an online presentation, video or interactive website. It must have written and visual material and may include audio.
The documentation of the development of the presentation should be recorded in the Visual Arts journal and included in the assessment.
Unit 2 For this unit students are required to demonstrate three outcomes. As a set these outcomes encompass the areas of study in the unit.
Suitable tasks for assessment in this unit should be based on the following information.
Outcome 1: Thematic exhibition
Students design and curate a thematic exhibition of six artworks:
three artworks selected from a thematic exhibition the student has viewed
three artworks selected from images the student has personally sourced.
Using the collection of six artworks, students:
discuss the influences of contexts on the subject matter and ideas in the artworks selected for the exhibition
justify the selection of artworks from an exhibition based on an identified theme
justify the selection of individually sourced artworks based on an identified theme
provide a short overview of the exhibition (400–600 words)
design an exhibition proposal, considering the presentation of the artworks.
The task can be presented in one of the following formats:
a series of plans and drawings with accompanying written information or annotations
a digital tour of the exhibition, including initial designs and written information, such as an online presentation, video or interactive website
an annotated presentation with initial visual designs and accompanying written information
an oral presentation with supporting written and visual information.
The documentation of the development of the presentation is recorded in the Visual Arts journal and included in the assessment.
The development of student work in Areas of Study 2 and 3 can be linked to the research conducted in Area of Study 1.
Outcome 2: Experimental artworks and documentation
Students explore aesthetic qualities and the use of materials, techniques and processes in artworks. They produce a series of experimental artworks based on subject matter and ideas in response to a teacher-selected theme or a theme developed from class investigation and discussion.
The initial stages of art making are recorded and documented using written and visual material in their Visual Arts journal.
Outcome 3: Finished artworks
Students present at least one finished artwork, with accompanying documentation of the development and refinement of art making, in their Visual Arts journal. The artwork(s) is developed from the experimental works made in Area of Study 2.
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Please see booklist for items required.
Material Charges
Students may incur additional costs based on the choice of materials to be used in their individual projects.