Education in Art and Design offers opportunities for students to enjoy and participate in a range of expressive media that facilitate the creative exploration of processes and forms of two- and three-dimensional art and design.  It also offers a significant introduction to research methodologies, cultural studies, aesthetics and art criticism that are grounded in a wide range of disciplines such as Literature, History, Communication and Science and Technology.  In addition, it provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in creative production, marketing, commercial and manufacturing industries as well as a variety of aesthetic enterprises.

This Art and Design syllabus is based on innovative as well as traditional perspectives hat seek to bring together the diversity of cultural practices in the Caribbean.  It seeks to develop artistic knowledge, critical thinking and problem solving skills and explore practices in a variety of media.  It also seeks to prepare Caribbean students to participate in their community as art and design practitioners as well as productive and innovative citizens.

The syllabus aims to:

• Develop skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable artistic practices;
• Encourage experimentation with material, technical processes and methods;
• Convey concepts and ideas through the manipulation of materials;
• Encourage creative solutions to art and design problems;
• Develop critical thinking skills through research and interactions with aesthetic experiences;
• Develop knowledge and critical understanding of the art and design trends of different historical eras, traditions and cultures;
• Develop skills to use art and design techniques as investigative tools;
• Develop individual initiative and self-confidence by building on special skills and interests;
• Develop an understanding of the relationship between artistic expression and cultural issues that have evolved over historically significant periods;
• Develop an appreciation for the cultural diversity and creative arts of the Caribbean region;
• Develop a working vocabulary relevant to art, design and Caribbean culture;
• Develop an awareness for further study and work in disciplines related to art, design and cultural studies;
• Develop knowledge and skills for aesthetic appreciation and evaluation;
• Create awareness of environmental issues as they impact on art and design;
• Encourage the development of a body of creative work.

The syllabus is arranged into two Units.  Each Unit consists of three Modules, each Module requiring 50 contact hours.

Unit 1: Foundations of Art and Design

• Module 1: Cultural Studies
• Module 2: Two-Dimensional Art and Design
• Module 3: Three-Dimensional Art and Design

Unit 2: Applications of Art and Design

• Module 1: Design
• Module 2: Applied Arts
• Module 3: Creative Projects