Art Waec Syllabus

• Concept of Visual Arts and General Knowledge in Art
• Scope and Vocations of Visual Arts
• The Role of Art in National Development.

• Definition, techniques, types and purposes of drawing and identification
• Exploration of tools, equipment and materials used in art
• Preparation, uses, care and maintenance of drawing media

• Perspective; definition and types
• Idea development from natural and man-made objects
• Drawing for communication; analytical study – object and figure drawing
• Design process (definition)
• Product designing
• Two and three-dimensional drawing/designing
• Computer as a tool in art (identification of parts and uses)
• Portfolio building (importance and functions)
• Elements, principles and organization of design
• Perception (definition)
• Colour (definition), the twelve-point colour wheel, sources of colour, colour terminologies, colour mixing (tints and shades/gradation), colour harmony, colour philosophy, colour psychology, colour relationships, colour perspective etc
• Ghanaian colour concepts e.g. association of colour with objects
• Colour symbolism

• Definitions
• Identification of tools, materials and equipment
• The basic printing processes – direct and indirect, e.g., relief printing, intaglio, lithography, serigraphy and photographic screen printing etc.  Print from natural and artificial surfaces
• Printing as a means of communication

• Definitions
• Types of lettering, e.g., block lettering- construction of block letters, calligraphy, upper and lower case letters, parts of letters etc
• Gothic lettering (sans serif); characteristics, functions and importance
• Roman lettering (serifs); characteristics, significance and functions

• Paleolithic
• Mesolithic
• Neolithic

• Beginnings, location of art and development through the ages, e.g., cave art.
• Use of prehistoric art in promoting aspects of living. E.g., hunting through sympathetic magic.
• Creative desires of the caveman (reasons and purposes of hunting).
• Techniques, tools and materials used by the caveman
• Terms associated with cave art.

Egyptian Art

• Purpose (eternity).
• Characteristics and conventions or canons of art.
• Relevance and influence of Egyptian art on other cultures.

• Greek art – contributions to the development of art during the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods.
• Renaissance art – (meaning, period of rebirth) origin etc.
• Major contributions: artists of the period and achievements
• Art forms and styles.
• Relevance of Renaissance art to mankind.
• Oriental art – beliefs, art forms, functions and influences on the following; Indian art, Chinese art and Japanese art.
• Oceanic art – beliefs, art forms and functions of Polynesian art and Melanesian art.

• Influence of religious beliefs – animism, magic, myth, rituals etc.
• Types of art forms and functions.
• Concept of art in Africa (functionality).
• Types – visual, performing and verbal.
• Main characteristics of indigenous African art forms.
• Arts of the major ethnic groups of West Africa.
• Types of contemporary arts, i.e., visual, performing and verbal.
• Indigenous and contemporary arts.
• Uses and relevance of indigenous and contemporary/current African arts.
• Religion, education, trade and politics as agents of change in art.

Ghanaian Attitudes to the Development of Art and Artists

• Indigenous art forms and artists – identification of Ghanaian art forms, e.g., Adinkra etc.
• Contemporary/current Ghanaian Art forms and artists.
• Form, symbolism and functions of Ghanaian arts.
• Art and Tourism: Roles and contributions of art in the development of tourism.

• Concepts of appreciation.
• Procedures in art appreciation – identification, inventory, technical qualities and interpretation.
• Creativity – definition and relevance, the creative process, and qualities of a creative person.
• Aesthetics, criticism and judgment – definitions and relevance.
• Modern art – philosophy, style, artists and impact.
• Cubism.
• Impressionism.
• Post impressionism.
• Neo impressionism.
• Fauvism.
• Expressionism.
• Surrealism etc.

• Enterprises in visual arts.
• Setting up an enterprise – factors to consider, e.g., where to get financial and technical assistance.
• Managing an enterprise – functions of a manager, the importance of good customer relations, costing and pricing etc.
• Costing and pricing – factors to consider.
• Basic marketing/selling strategies, e.g., advertising.
• Business risks – direct and indirect risks.
• Exhibition (Definition), types/levels, factors to consider in planning, preparing and mounting exhibition

• Developing a Business plan
  • Definition, importance and preparation (steps involved)
• Artists Statement – Definition and importance
• Business Brochure and Card
  • Definition and importance

• Definition, history and development of the museum
• Functions and socio-economic importance of the museum.
• The administrative structure of the museum.
• Authenticity and neutrality of the museum.
• Examples of museums and their activities