Specification: 601/1490/3
The INTERNATIONAL-BACCALAUREATE-ORGANISATION Vocational Art and Design specification covers 8 topics with 0 learning objectives (601/1490/3). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.
This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.
8
Units
0
Learning Outcomes
27
Assessment Guidance
30
Key Skills
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme Visual Arts course is a rigorous, two-year programme that encourages students to explore art-making and art-analysis in equal depth. Moving beyond simple skill acquisition, this course challenges you to develop critical thinking about visual culture, experiment with diverse media, and produce a body of work that reflects your personal, cultural, and conceptual journey. Whether at Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL), you will investigate art from multiple perspectives—local, global, and historical—and learn to articulate informed responses through written and visual language.
The specification is structured around three interconnected components: the Comparative Study, the Process Portfolio, and the Exhibition. The Comparative Study (20% of final grade) involves analysing and comparing artworks by different artists, fostering research and evaluative skills. The Process Portfolio (40%) documents your creative experimentation, technical development, and reflective practice. The Exhibition (40%) is a curated display of your resolved artworks, supported by a written rationale. At HL, you engage in a deeper, more sustained exploration with a larger expected output and greater critical depth.
Core themes include identity, culture, society, and the role of the artist in the modern world. You are expected to independently generate ideas, take risks, and reflect on your learning. The course aligns with IB’s mission to develop internationally minded learners who understand that art is a universal language. By the end, you will have not only a portfolio of work but also a strong ability to discuss and critique art, skills highly valued by universities and creative industries worldwide.
IB Visual Arts is assessed through 100% coursework—there is no timed written examination. At both SL and HL, the Comparative Study (externally assessed) contributes 20% to the final grade, the Process Portfolio (externally assessed) contributes 40%, and the Exhibition (internally assessed by your teacher and externally moderated) contributes the remaining 40%. The total marks vary by component, but the overall grade is awarded on a 1–7 scale. HL students are expected to produce a more extensive body of work and demonstrate deeper critical analysis, but the weighting remains the same. All three components are compulsory and interlinked, emphasising a holistic approach where practical skills and theoretical understanding develop side by side.
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