§-Visual Arts syllabus
SA · SACE Board← Visual Arts
Visual Arts syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the SA Visual Arts syllabus, with a focused answer for each. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions and links to related points.
Assessment Type 1: Folio
Module overview →How do I analyse artists, artworks, and their contexts to inform my own folio?
Analyse artists, artworks, and the contexts in which they were made, and apply those insights to your own visual development.
How do I study art styles and movements without just copying them?
Investigate art styles and movements, understand their visual logic, and redirect their strategies through your own work.
How do I explore and document media, techniques, and processes effectively in my folio?
Explore a range of media, techniques, and processes, and document skill development and material decisions in the folio.
How do I use the visual elements and design principles to analyse an artwork closely?
Use the visual elements and design principles as a vocabulary for formal analysis, explaining how an artwork creates its effects.
How do I gather sources of inspiration and develop a personal visual language in my folio?
Document sources of inspiration and use exploration and experimentation to develop a distinctive personal visual language.
How do I understand and use the cultural, historical, social and personal contexts of art?
Investigate the cultural, historical, social, and personal contexts that shape artworks and use them to inform your inquiry.
How do I use visual thinking and investigation to develop ideas across my folio?
Use visual thinking and investigation to generate, test, and refine ideas and concepts as your folio develops.
Assessment Type 2: Practical
Module overview →How do I apply the visual elements and design principles to strengthen my practical work?
Apply the visual elements and design principles deliberately to communicate concepts in your resolved practical work.
How do I use drawing techniques and mark-making to build skill and meaning in my practical work?
Develop and apply drawing techniques and mark-making to observe, develop ideas, and resolve practical work.
How do I work ethically, safely and authentically in my art practice?
Practise safely and ethically, using original sources and respecting authorship, materials, and cultural protocols.
How do I choose and control painting media and techniques in my practical work?
Select and control painting media and techniques to resolve a body of work that communicates your concept.
How do I use photography and digital media as a resolved medium in my practical work?
Use photography and digital or new media deliberately to develop and resolve a body of work.
How do I use printmaking techniques to develop and resolve practical work?
Apply printmaking techniques and processes to develop ideas and resolve a coherent body of work.
How do I resolve a coherent body of work from my folio development?
Resolve one or more practical works into a coherent body of work that demonstrates conceptual and technical resolution.
How do I work with sculpture, three-dimensional form and ceramics in my practical work?
Develop and resolve three-dimensional work in sculpture or ceramics, controlling form, material and space.
How do I write a practitioner's statement that explains my resolved body of work?
Write a practitioner's statement that explains the intention, development, and resolution of your body of work.
Assessment Type 3: Visual Study (External)
Module overview →How do I choose a strong focus for my visual study?
Choose a focused style, technique, idea, or practitioner strategy that can sustain a genuine visual investigation.
How do I connect research, experimentation, and reflection in the visual study?
Connect research, visual experimentation, and critical reflection so the visual study reads as a coherent, evidenced inquiry.
How do I structure a visual study as a focused exploratory investigation?
Structure the visual study as a focused investigation that explores ideas, styles, or techniques through visual and written response.