Overview:

Transition Year Art comprises one double and two single periods per week. This allows the interested pupil plenty of time to explore and develop their creative skills. Previous experience in art is not essential but willingness and openness to engage with the practices are essential.

Course Content:

Pupils will be required to bring curiosity, enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to the lessons. In return pupils will further develop their imagination, ability to problem solve and communication and leadership skills.

The creative practices explored throughout the year will include:

• Drawing & Research in Sketchbooks
• Clay modelling & Ceramics
  
• Portraiture
  
• Printmaking
  
• Textiles - Batik
  

In addition to the creative process and the production of an art piece for each practice, pupils will also be required to keep a Visual Art Sketchpad. This sketchpad will be a physical record of the pupil's personal creative journey through a collection of ideas, processes and work. Pupils will explore a wide range of media and demonstrate critical and visual language through this process.

Teaching & Learning:

Each of the art practices explored during the year will be initiated with a design brief. Planning, research, analysis, decision making, and independent thinking will be integral parts of the learning experience. By providing a wide variety of practices pupils will be able to demonstrate and develop their particular abilities. Each design brief will allow pupils to experience a sense of success on completion of the work. Learning strategies such as group work, brainstorming, discussion, lateral thinking, and experimentation will be employed. Lessons will be led by demonstrations and guided activities. Examples of contemporary art and artists will be referenced to inspire projects as well as a number of trips to art exhibitions.

Assessment:

Assessment will be formative. Individual projects will be marked and recorded for end of term results. Effort marks will be given on a regular basis. Distinctions will be awarded for outstanding work.

Additional Information and Extra Curricular Art:

Where possible, trips relating to the course content will be organised and undertaken e.g. The Annual Zurich Portrait Prize at the NGI, The Sculpture in Context Exhibition at the Botanical Gardens and contemporary exhibitions on display in other Irish galleries such as IMMA or Rua Red.

Pupils can also take part in The Architects in Schools initiative which is run by the Irish Architecture Foundation. An architect works with pupils over approximately six workshops to help them create their own model for a site-specific building they would like to create. The project-based learning approach of this initiative supports individual and group research and provides enhancement of critical thinking, design thinking and innovation.

Working closely with design professionals enables students to gain an insight into working life and enhance awareness of career choices.

For more information on this see: https://architecturefoundation.ie/projects/naisi/