Page 191 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: The Arts, 2010

OVERVIEW
Visual arts courses at the Grade 11 and 12 level focus on studio work and critical analysis of a wide range of art works. Students apply the elements and principles of design with increasing skill and creativity to produce art works that communicate emotions or com- ment on issues. They apply their skills using an array of media, including alternative media, and current technologies, to create two- and three-dimensional art works for a variety of purposes.
Students create increasingly complex art works that integrate the fundamental compo- nents of design known as elements (colour, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value). Students continue to explore design principles (balance, contrast, emphasis, harmony, movement, proportion, rhythm and repetition, unity, and variety), organizing or arrang- ing these principles in increasingly sophisticated ways to produce visual effects.
Students develop their understanding of how art works reflect and affect the history, values, and beliefs of various societies and cultures. By experiencing a wide range of art works, including the rich heritage of Canadian art, students enhance their understanding and appreciation of the range and significance of artistic expression.
The expectations for visual arts courses are organized into three distinct but related strands:
1. Creating and Presenting: Students enhance their ability to apply the creative process (see pages 15–17) to create and present original art works. Students use tools, tech- nologies, and the elements and principles of design with increasing sophistication to create art works for a variety of purposes. Throughout, they document their approach to each stage of the creative process in a portfolio, which they can use for reflection.
2. Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing: Through the critical analysis process (see pages 17–22), students reflect on their responses to and assess art works, develop- ing a deeper understanding of themselves and the communities in which they live. By exploring the context of various art works, students expand their awareness of past and present societies. They explore opportunities for continuing engagement in postsecondary study and careers of personal interest in arts-related fields.
3. Foundations: In this strand, students enhance their understanding of conventions, techniques, and processes that people use to produce visual art works. Students refine their specialized vocabulary, engage in responsible practices when creating and presenting art works, and investigate increasingly complex ethical and legal issues associated with visual arts.
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VISUAL ARTS