Basic education in visual arts

Espoo School of Art provides basic education in the arts for children and youth based on the extended syllabus compliant with the national curriculum for the comprehensive course in visual arts.

According to the National Curriculum for the Comprehensive Course in Visual Arts, basic education in the arts is primarily intended for children and young people, and it progresses in a goal-oriented manner from one level to the next.

Basic art education is provided in visual arts and crafts. The strategic basic mission of Espoo School of Art is to provide a comprehensive curriculum of high-quality, inspiring education in visual culture skills and knowledge. Development of students’ skills and knowledge, and supporting individuality and mental growth lie at the core of education. Workshop studies include the possibility to familiarise oneself with the work of visual art professionals and professionals in other visual fields.

Structure and scope of teaching

Study module 0: 5-6-year-olds (Visual arts pre-school)

In Espoo School of Art, early childhood education in visual arts for children aged 5–6 is provided as a study module called visual arts pre-school.

Study module 1: Basic groups

The basic studies in visual arts for 7-11-year-olds constitute the first study module of basic studies, divided into five study years.

The study module can include study units of various lengths, projects and thematic modules in accordance with the annual syllabus of the School of Art.

Study module 2: Study unit groups

Study unit groups for 12-13-year-olds constitute the second study module. Study module 2 is arranged so that the student has two study units per study year, each unit lasting one term, in various fields of visual arts, over two study years. This enables the student to study a total of four different study units. The fields of art for study unit group studies are decided by study year.

The study module can include study units of various lengths, projects and thematic modules in accordance with the annual syllabus of the School of Art.

Study module 3: Basic workshops

The basic workshops in visual arts for 14-15-year-olds constitute the third study module. Study module 3 is organised so that the students choose a workshop in the field of visual arts which lasts the whole study year. The student can study in the same workshop for the two years of the study module or change to another workshop after the first year.

The study module can include study units of various lengths, projects and thematic modules in accordance with the annual syllabus of the School of Art.

Study module 4: Specialisation workshops

Specialisation studies in visual arts for 16-20-year-olds constitute the fourth study module of the studies. Specialisation studies are organised so that after basic studies, the students choose a specialisation that interests them, that is, a workshop. Students may study in the same chosen workshop consecutively for several years’ study modules or change workshops annually if they wish. However, it is recommended that students study for two years in the same workshop in order to deepen their studies in the field of art. Students may also study in two or more workshops simultaneously during the study year.

Specialisation studies can include study units of various lengths, projects and thematic modules in accordance with the annual syllabus of the School of Art.

Final project

Specialisation studies include a final project, which is produced during the study year in the workshop the student has chosen.

If the student wishes to have a certificate for completing the extended syllabus in basic studies in visual arts, completion of the final project is necessary. If the student does not complete the final project, he or she will, by request, be awarded a certificate of attendance for all studies in the School of Art.

The student prepares the final project independently, in accordance with a personal plan, and receives guidance for it. In the plan, the student also defines the objectives for the work. The final project comprises artistic work, a description of the work process and reflecting of one’s personal learning process, in which the student assesses his/her work and working. In the final project, the student expresses his/her visual artistic thinking and expression and outlines them in relation to the visual arts or other forms of visual culture. The students preparing a final work will present their work process and work. The work will be displayed in the final work exhibition at the end of the study year.

Two assessors, one a teacher at Espoo School of Art and the other an outside expert, will assess the final project. Assessment criteria will be explained to students as they begin preparing the final project.

Curricula

Click the links below to read the current curricula of Espoo School of Art:
‍Curriculum: Basic education in visual arts
‍Curriculum: Basic education in crafts‍