Applied Arts

PHASE 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Art, Craft and Design are three inter-dependent disciplines. They are fundamental to human existence, predating written language. They play a major role in human evolution and development. Each involves a different way of thinking: • Art emphasises ideas, feelings, and visual qualities • Craft emphasises the right use of tools and materials • Design emphasises planning, problem-solving and completion, using drawing as a means of thinking

These unite in the basic human drive to shape the world, for functional purposes, and to express and communicate ideas and feelings. The contribution of the visual and plastic arts to life is a unique and enriching experience for all.

1.2 Art, Craft and Design provide a unique part of the education of the whole person, through heart, head and hand, enabling the person to shape his or her world with discernment, and to understand and appreciate the work of others. The benefits of an education in Art, Craft and Design for the student at this developmental stage extend far beyond a competence in the subject itself (and the ability to apply it through life): Art, Craft and Design education develops a number of important personal qualities, particularly those of initiative, perseverance, sensibility and selfreliance.

1.3 This syllabus framework is designed for the full ability range in Junior Cycle. To facilitate implementation of this syllabus, it is essential that sufficient time be allocated to the subject.

1.4 The practical core syllabus in Drawing, two-dimensional Art, Craft and Design: three-dimensional Art, Craft and Design, with Support Studies, is augmented by a wide range of options. The teacher will select a minimum of one option for Ordinary Level, and a minimum of two for Higher Level, to suit the ability, developmental stages, previous experience, interest and potential of the students. The teacher's specialist skills, the school's resources and facilities, and local identity and tradition should also be taken into account. The core syllabus is to be applied to the teaching of the selected options, so as to widen and deepen the student's development.

1.5 Support Studies involve History, Critical Appraisal, Evaluation, Appreciation, Science, Technology and correct working vocabulary.

1.6 The lessons should be organised as sequential, practical, learning experiences incorporating Drawing and Support Studies as appropriate.

1.7 The starting point (or subject matter) for each learning experience is crucial in developing the student's capacity for focussed personal response. The motivation should be visually oriented, and derive from the student's direct experience of the natural, social or man-made environment.

PHASE 2. AIMS OF ART, CRAFT AND DESIGN AT JUNIOR CYCLE

2.1 To promote in the student an informed, inquiring and discriminating attitude to his or her environment and to help the student relate to the world in visual, tactile and spatial terms

2.2 To develop a sense of personal identity and self-esteem through practical achievement in the expressive, communicative and functional modes of art, craft and design

2.3 To develop in the student an understanding of art, craft and design in a variety of contexts - historical, cultural, economic, social and personal

2.4 To develop in the student the ability to apply evaluative criteria to his/her own work and to the work of others and in his/her daily encounters with the natural, social and man-made environments and with the mass media

2.5 To promote in the student a practical understanding of and competence in the principles and skills underlying visual and constructional design and problemsolving

2.6 To develop through structured practical work the student's aesthetic sensibilities and powers of critical appraisal, appreciation and evaluation and to enhance the student's qualities of imagination, creativity, originality and ingenuity.

3. COURSE OBJECTIVES

The Art, Craft and Design course develops the student's ability to:

(i) give a personal response to an idea, experience or other stimulus (ii) work from imagination, memory and direct observation

(iii) use drawing for observation, recording and analysis, as a means of thinking and for communication and expression

(iv) use the core two-dimensional process in making, manipulating and developing images, using lettering and combining lettering with image, in expressive and communicative modes

(v) use the three-dimensional processes of additive, subtractive and constructional form-making in expressive and functional modes

(vi) use and understand the art and design elements

(vii) use a variety of materials, media, tools and equipment

(viii) use an appropriate working vocabulary

(ix) understand relative scientific, mathematical and technological aspects of art, craft and design

(x) sustain projects from conception to realisation

 (xi) appraise and evaluate his/her own work in progress and on completion

(xii) develop an awareness of the historical, social and economic role and value of art, craft and design and aspects of contemporary culture and mass-media