How to Structure a Primary Art Curriculum: Simple, Flexible Approaches for Busy Teachers
Designing an art curriculum for students can feel like trying to organise a giant box of mismatched materials, exciting, but a little overwhelming. With so many possibilities, where do you even begin? The good news is that there’s no single “right” way to structure an art program. In fact, the best curriculums are the ones that feel flexible, intentional, and responsive to your students.
Here are some of the most effective ways to organise a primary art curriculum, along with the strengths of each approach. You can use one structure for the whole year or mix and match depending on your goals.
Plan by Materials
This is one of the simplest and most engaging ways to structure an art program, especially for younger students.
How it works:
Choose a material or tool as the focus for a unit (e.g., oil pastels, watercolour, clay, collage, printmaking). Students explore what the material can do, experiment with techniques, and create artworks that highlight its strengths.
Why teachers love it:
- Easy to plan and resource
- Builds confidence through repetition
- Encourages experimentation and play
- Helps students develop a deep understanding of each medium
Example units:
- Oil Pastel Explorations
- Watercolour Washes & Textures
- Blending and mixing tones
- Collage & Mixed Media Play
Plan by Art Elements & Skills
This approach focuses on building foundational art knowledge which is perfect for developing visual literacy and technique.
How it works:
Choose an art element or skill (line, shape, colour, texture, pattern, form, space) and design lessons that explore it through different materials.
Why it works well:
- Strong alignment with curriculum standards
- Skills build logically from simple to complex
- Students learn the “language of art”
- Easy to differentiate for mixed‑ability classes
Example units:
- Lines & Marks: From Scribbles to Symbols
- Exploring Shape Through Collage
- Colour Mixing & Colour Moods
- Texture Rubbings & Pattern Design
Plan by Artist Studies
Artist‑based units are powerful because they connect students to real creative voices and cultural perspectives.
How it works:
Choose an artist (contemporary, historical, First Nations, local, or global) and explore their style, techniques, and ideas. Students respond with their own artwork inspired by the artist’s approach.
Why teachers love it:
- Builds cultural awareness
- Encourages visual analysis and discussion
- Helps students see art as storytelling
- Inspires creativity through real examples
Example units:
- Jen Stark & the Magic of Colour + Pattern
- Reko Rennie & Symbolism in Contemporary Aboriginal Art
- Yayoi Kusama & Repetition
- Henri Matisse & Shape Collage
Plan by Themes or Big Ideas
Themes give your curriculum a narrative thread and help students make connections across lessons.
How it works:
Choose a theme (identity, nature, animals, celebrations, storytelling, community, seasons) and build a series of artworks around it.
Why it’s effective:
- Easy to integrate with classroom topics
- Encourages personal expression
- Works beautifully for whole‑school displays
- Allows for a wide range of materials and techniques
Example units:
- All About Me Art Gallery
- Australian Animals & Habitats
- Seasons Through Colour & Texture
- Community & Belonging
Plan by Techniques & Processes
This approach focuses on the “how” of artmaking, perfect for building confidence and skill progression.
How it works:
Choose a technique (printmaking, weaving, shading, collage layering, perspective drawing) and build lessons that scaffold the process step by step.
Why it’s helpful:
- Great for skill‑building
- Easy to assess
- Students feel proud as they master new techniques
- Works well for upper primary
Example units:
- Intro to Printmaking: Stamps, Stencils & Transfers
- Shading & Value for Beginners
- Paper Weaving & Pattern
- Perspective Drawing for Kids
Combine Approaches for a Balanced Year
Many teachers find that a blended approach works best. For example:
- Term 1: All About Me (theme‑based)
- Term 2: Art Element Focus (skills‑based)
- Term 3: Watercolour & Collage (materials‑based)
- Term 4: Artist Study + Exhibition (artist‑based)
This keeps learning fresh while ensuring students build a strong foundation. Naturally, your lessons will cover key areas of the curriculum, including the art elements and principles, artists from different cultures and time periods, and a range of materials and techniques.
In Conclusion
There’s no single perfect way to structure an art curriculum, and that’s the beauty of teaching art. You can shape your program around your students, your resources, your school community, and your own creative strengths. Whether you plan by materials, skills, artists, or themes, what matters most is that students feel inspired, confident, and excited to create while meeting the curriculum requirements.
