A Level Art and Design (Fine Art) offers opportunities to use your creativity to express yourself. You will develop your understanding of creative processes, your ability to observe and to think, to solve problems and to communicate in a visual way. It will enable you to work independently and to make your own discoveries by exploring ideas, other artists’ work and different materials and techniques. Fine art gives you the skills and knowledge to create personal and imaginative work.
Students will be introduced to a variety of experiences that explore a range of fine art media, processes and techniques. Students will learn to explore the use of drawing for different purposes, using a variety of methods and media on a variety of scales. Students may use sketchbooks/workbooks/journals to underpin their work where appropriate.
Students will produce practical and critical/contextual work in one or more areas of study, for example drawing, painting, mixed-media, sculpture, ceramics, installation, printmaking, moving image (video, film and animation) and photography.
The four assessment objectives will be demonstrated in the context of the content and skills presented. Students’ portfolios will show the importance of process as well as product.
Exam Board: AQA
Year 1 Subject Content:
Within each component, students must demonstrate evidence that they have explored critical and contextual work through a range of two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional processes and media. Component 1: This must show clear development from initial intentions to the final outcome or outcomes. It must include evidence of the student’s ability to research and develop ideas and relate their work in meaningful ways to relevant critical/contextual materials.
Year 2 Subject Content
Component 2: This must show evidence of areas of study drawn from one or more of the endorsed titles.
Students will use the assessment objectives to guide their working process and complete a response in a 15 hour controlled assessment.
Career Opportunities / Routes
This qualification supports progression into further education or directly into employment in the art and design industry.
Assessment
Component 1: Personal investigation
Personal investigation based on an idea, issue, concept or theme. This is supported by a written element of 1000-3000 words.
Fine art portfolios will be marked by the centre and moderated by AQA during a visit to the centre.
Component 2: Externally set assignment
The question paper will consist of a choice of eight questions to be used as starting points. Students are required to select one.
Exam portfolios will be marked by the centre and moderated by AQA during a visit to the centre.