Creating Curriculum Connections: Linking Your Art Program to the Australian Curriculum

For Australian visual art teachers, creating an engaging program that aligns with the national curriculum is an essential task. Navigating the Australian curriculum can be a daunting, especially since the Arts strands cover not only the Visual Arts but also Dance, Drama, Media Arts and Music. This can make aligning your Visual Arts Program to the curriculum a bit confusing. But fear not! We’re here to break he curriculum down in (hopefully) simpler terms.

The Australian Visual Arts Curriculum is broken down in to 4 strands. These include: Exploring and Responding, Developing Practices and Skills, Creating and Making, and Presenting and Performing. Let’s explore how to use these strands to create an engaging program for your students.

Exploring and Responding: Cultivating Curiosity and Understanding

This strand is the foundation. Here, students embark on a journey of discovery, exploring art in all its richness. They explore the lives of artists across cultures and times, appreciating the diversity of artistic expression. They learn how art reflects cultural values and traditions, particularly the rich heritage of First Nations Australians. Through discussions and activities, they develop empathy and understanding, fostering a global perspective.

You can encourage this in a classroom by:

• Inviting guest speakers: Artists, curators, or even students from diverse backgrounds can share their artistic experiences. If guest speakers are not available, you can play videos of artists talking about their practice.
• Virtual museum tours: Take students on online journeys to explore renowned collections. Google Arts and Culture is a great resource to view artworks and exhibitions from around the world.
• Analysing artworks together: Discuss the symbolism, techniques, and messages conveyed in different art forms. When conducting a lesson, explore different artworks and art styles as a class as a source of inspiration.

Developing Practices and Skills: Empowering the Young Artist

This strand equips your students with the tools to translate their ideas into artistic creations. They develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they experiment with materials and techniques. They learn the language of art through observing, reflecting, and analysing their own and others’ work.

You can encourage this in a classroom by:

• Experimentation tasks: Structure dedicated times and tasks within your program where students have the opportunity to explore, encouraging them to push boundaries. Don’t set specific outcomes, instead allow your students to create for the sake or experimentation.
• Skill-building workshops: Focus on specific techniques like drawing, painting, or sculpture, building a foundation of artistic proficiency. Scaffold knowledge and skills by walking students through guided skill development sessions.
• Peer feedback sessions: Encourage constructive criticism and reflection through student-led discussions.

Creating and Making: Unlocking Creativity

This is where the practical exploration happens. Students put their newfound skills into practice, applying artistic processes to create individual and collaborative works. They can choose from existing styles or explore innovative forms, expressing their unique perspectives. This strand is all about the meanings and messages of artworks.

You can encourage this in a classroom by:

• Work both independently and collaboratively: This fosters teamwork and allows students to learn from each other. They can consider unique perspectives and think about what they are creating and why.
• Interpret existing works: Challenge students to reimagine famous artworks or create their own interpretations. Think about how this may change the meaning or the message of an artwork.
• Embrace new technologies: Explore digital tools and media to create artwork that reflects the contemporary world. Students can analyse how different tools and technologies impact the way an artwork is read by an audience.

Presenting and Performing: Sharing the Stage

This final strand is about sharing the artistic journey with an audience. Students learn how to effectively present their work, considering the space, materials, and their artistic intentions. They develop technical and performance skills to communicate their vision effectively.

You can encourage this in a classroom by:

• Student-led exhibitions: Organize school-wide art shows or mini exhibitions where students curate their work and explain their creative process.
• Digital presentations: Encourage students to create online galleries or multimedia presentations of their artwork for displays.
• Performance art explorations: For appropriate age groups, explore performance art as a platform for self-expression. This can be a new medium for students to create artwork or technology could be incorporated to present performance art.

By weaving these strands together, you’ll create a dynamic visual arts program that equips your students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become lifelong learners and creators. Remember, the Australian Curriculum is a guide, not a rigid structure. Be creative, incorporate your own artistic vision, and most importantly, have fun exploring the world of art with your students!