Visual Art
Our Engaging Visual Arts Program at Williamstown Primary
At Williamstown Primary, our Visual Arts Program is designed to engage children’s creativity, explore imagination and build overall confidence. We encourage all students to use their art time as an expression of their individuality and appreciation of the art all around us.
Curriculum Overview
Our Visual Arts Program follows the Victorian Curriculum, ensuring that students progress through the 7 elements of Art - Line, Texture, Form, Tone, Colour, Shape & Space. Students engage in:
- conceptual and perceptual ideas and expressions through design and inquiry processes
- visual arts techniques, materials, processes and technologies
- critical and creative thinking, using visual arts languages, theories and practices to apply aesthetic judgment
- respect for and acknowledgement of the diverse roles, innovations, traditions, histories and cultures of artists, craftspeople, designers, curators, critics and commentators
- respect for visual arts as social and cultural practices, including industry practices
- confidence, curiosity, imagination and enjoyment and a personal aesthetic through engagement with visual arts making, viewing, discussing, analysing, interpreting and evaluating.
Foundation - Students make and share their artworks with peers and experience visual arts as audiences. They make artworks as an artist and view them as an audience.
Years 1 and 2 - Students develop their awareness of how and why artists, craftspeople and designers express their ideas through different art forms. Students explore meaning, forms and styles in different social, cultural and historical contexts. They experience the role of artist and audience in their visual arts making.
Years 3 and 4 - Students explore how and why artists, craftspeople and designers realise their ideas through different art forms. They enhance their perceptual skills by observing the world around them and expressing these observations through different practical applications of art making. They make connections between their own artistic intentions and those of other artists.
Years 5 and 6 - Students explore how and why artists, craftspeople and designers realise their ideas through different visual forms, practices and processes. As they make and respond to visual artworks, students explore a diversity of ideas, concepts and viewpoints. They draw ideas from other artists, artworks, symbolic systems, beliefs and visual arts practices in other cultures, societies and times.
Teaching Approach and Engagement
Our Visual Arts Program provides an inspirational, creative and dynamic environment for hands-on learning. All students participate in a one-hour lesson each week, ensuring they have regular opportunities to engage in creative expression. Our program is built on active participation, ensuring that students remain engaged while developing important skills. Key elements of our approach include:
- Exploration and Experimentation: providing a diverse variety of materials and techniques to explore different artistic possibilities.
- Skill Development: Introduce and practice the fundamental elements of art, such as line, shape, form, color, texture, space, and value.
- Self-Expression and Communication: Encourage students to express their ideas, feelings, and experiences through art whilst promoting understanding of different viewpoints and cultural contexts through art.
- Assessment and Feedback: Employ a variety of assessment strategies and constructive feedback.
- Integration and Connections: Connect art to real-world contexts and experiences.
Each unit is inspired by different artists, styles, and movements, allowing students to develop their artistic voice and experiment with new ideas.
Engaging Students Beyond the Classroom
To keep students motivated and celebrate their achievements, our program includes:
- Proudly displaying student artwork around the school for everyone to enjoy.
- Celebrating our students’ creativity at the Williamstown Primary School Art Show, showcasing the incredible work they’ve created throughout the year. Families and the local community are invited to join us in celebrating their artistic achievements. (This is a two year cycle)
- Participating in local art competitions.
- Contribute to our Seaside Fair displays and exhibitions.
Through the Visual Arts Program, students develop a range of skills and techniques that they use to express their creativity whilst building motivation, self confidence and resilience. We are always amazed and proudly acknowledge the creativity and imagination our amazing Willy Kids produce.