Aitken College’s Visual Arts program seeks to unleash student creativity to solve problems while experimenting with visual language and expression. Our comprehensive P - 12 curriculum acknowledges Art and Design contributions to a progressive society, with research, investigation and experimentation informing young minds, supporting an individual’s development and Creative Practice.
Students from Preparatory to Year 6 embark on a tactile journey, where the exploration of genres, artforms and access to specialist mediums ensures adventure and personalised outcomes. Practical demonstrations and hands on activities are imbedded in all learning activities, making each unit both exciting and purposeful. We pride ourselves on developing the ‘whole child’, challenging fine motor skills and coordination via as example, a textile’s unit, simultaneously extracting the unique stories behind each design while equipping a student with lifelong skills. The progressive development of technique is supported by our expert teachers, who limit repetition, providing a robust and comprehensive experience.
Secondary Visual Art subjects include Art as a compulsory subject in Year 7, Art (2 and 3D) as an elective from Year 8/9, Photography Year 10, Visual Communication and Design Year 8 to VCE and Art Creative Practice VCE. Each seeks to develop skills in research, art/design history and critical theory to analyse, interpret and debate the ideas and issues raised by artworks/designs, exploring artistic/designer practices and artforms. The study of contemporary practice remains at the forefront of our curriculum delivery. The development of critical and creative thinking skills and an individual response are key, instilling a passion for learning with a willingness to investigate and diverge.
The three R’s - Reflecting, Refining and Resolving are explored within units that allow agency and student choice. Students often lead their Creative Practice with critiques conducted formally and informally, collecting data and feedback to inform future work. They learn to communicate effectively through annotation and the progressive development of a Body of Work; these are crucial to successful resolution of Final Artworks. Making and responding are continuously linked back to critique/reflection/evaluation processes to extract the best possible outcomes.
Our passionate commitment to student learning, growth and engagement extends further with exciting programs including our Artist in Residence and Exhibitions program, enriched with extracurricular opportunities including Primary Art Club, Senior Open Access and supported by several excursions.
Visual Art education is about cultivating the individual, the innovative thinker, the problem solver, the analytic, reflective leader who extracts, distinguishes fact, is empowered by a thirst for knowledge; an individual who is able to share information with confidence and creativity, who can creatively, purposefully use it to effectively communicate and educate. How amazing is that!
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