IB Visual Arts Topics: Full List

IB Visual Arts (opens in a new tab) (first assessment 2027) splits its topics into three core areas: create, connect and communicate. For most of the course, you’ll integrate the knowledge and skills you acquire in all three areas.

This article includes an official and complete breakdown of Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) IB Visual Arts. We’ve summarised the subject content to show you what you need to know, and how you can use topic lists for effective revision.

Key Takeaways

• IB Visual Arts topics are split across three core areas: create, connect and communicate

• SL and HL consist of the same topics, but assessments for them vary

• Use topic lists to create a revision plan and organise your notes

Why It's Important to Know Your Exam Board

Unlike many other qualifications, IB Visual Arts is not offered by different exam boards; instead, all students follow the same IB Diploma Programme curriculum.

Though you don’t need to worry about different exam boards, you should still be familiar with how your course content is organised. Knowing your exact IB Visual Arts topics means you can create a focused revision plan that avoids content you won’t be tested on. You also won’t be caught out by unexpected questions in the exam.

IB Visual Arts Topics

Syllabus content for IB Visual Arts is split across three core areas:

1. Create

• Generate ideas from investigation, observation and experimentation

• Engage with a variety of art-making forms and creative strategies in resolving artworks

• Learn how to follow lines of inquiry from conception to realisation 

• Develop a visual language

2. Connect

• Investigate artworks from different times and contexts

• Consider the relationships between artwork, artist and audience

• Learn how to situate your art-making in relation to context 

• Consider cultural significance

3. Communicate

• Understand methods of visual and written presentation

• Engage in dialogue and critique

• Curate, share and situate your artwork

• Digitally document and curate artwork

For more information, see the subject brief (opens in a new tab). 

The table below shows which areas each assessment focuses on, and whether they’re SL, HL, or both:

The integrated nature of the areas means that, in practice, elements of all three come up in each assessment.

How to Use Topic Lists for Revision

Identify connected topics

The integrated nature of the course means that you should look for connections between different topics. For instance, the ‘create’ requirement to generate ideas is linked to the ‘connect’ requirement to investigate artworks from different times and contexts. You can therefore draw inspiration from other artworks to help you come up with your own ideas.

Organise your notes and evidence

Group your notes and evidence for your portfolio by core area. Check that you’re showing examiners you have the skills each core area requires. Prioritise weaker core areas and track your progress using the traffic light system (opens in a new tab).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to revise all IB Visual Arts topics for the exam?

Yes. Though there are three distinct core areas, you will spend most of the course integrating your knowledge and skills.

Since all assessment tasks are non-examination assessments (NEAs), remember to develop your practical skills as well as your theoretical knowledge.

How do I know which topics I struggle with most?

Assess your current work against both the three core areas and the seven assessment objectives (see the subject brief (opens in a new tab)). You might find, for example, that you’re unclear on how to digitally document and curate your artwork, so you should focus on this first. Use the traffic light system to help you prioritise your revision.

Do all topics come up in every assessment?

No, but you’ll need to show that you’ve integrated your knowledge and skills for each assessment. Certain core areas feature more prominently than others in some assessments.

Final Thoughts

Using topic lists to structure your IB Visual Arts revision means you'll know exactly what to study, and how to allocate your time between each area.

Bookmark or print this page, and use it as your roadmap. Assess your current work against the three core areas and assessment objectives, and integrate your knowledge and skills for the assessments.

References

• How to Use the Traffic Light System to Improve Your Marks (opens in a new tab)

• IB Visual Arts (opens in a new tab)