A Visual Arts Teacher,
Photographer and Practitioner Researcher
The Exhibition
Curating Your Artworks
What is the Art Exhibition?
The IB Visual Arts Exhibition is a culmination of students’ artistic journey, showcasing their technical skills, conceptual depth, and ability to curate a coherent body of work. This component assesses how well students select, present, and reflect on their artworks while demonstrating an authentic artistic voice.
Students at SL and HL submit for assessment a selection of resolved artworks for their exhibition. The selected pieces should show evidence of their technical accomplishment during the visual arts course and an understanding of the use of materials, ideas, and practices to realize their intentions. Students also evidence the decision-making process that underpins the selection of this connected and cohesive body of work for an audience in the form of a curatorial rationale. During the course, students will have learned the skills and techniques necessary to produce their own independent artwork in a variety of media. To prepare for assessment in this component, students will select the required number of pieces to best match the task requirements and demonstrate their highest achievement.
Students at SL select 4–7 artworks for submission while students at HL select 8–11 artworks for submission.
The key assessment criteria include:
Coherence & Curation
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How well do the artworks relate to each other in terms of themes, techniques, and artistic intent?
Technical Accomplishment
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How effectively do the works demonstrate skill in chosen media and techniques?
Conceptual Depth
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Do the works express clear ideas, emotions, or narratives?
Exhibition Design & Presentation
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Is the display visually engaging, well-organized, and professionally labeled?
Reflective Written Component
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Does the curatorial rationale explain the selection and organization effectively?
Each artwork must be original and must be accompanied by a curatorial rationale explaining why it was selected and how it fits within the overall theme of the exhibition.
Understanding the
Exhibition Assessment Criteria
What do examiners look for and how to meet expectations in the IB Visual Arts Exhibition?
The IB Visual Arts Exhibition is an internally assessed and externally moderated component where students curate and present a collection of their best artworks. The assessment focuses on technical skills, thematic coherence, curatorial rationale, and overall presentation.
Criterion A: Coherent Body of Work (Max 9)
💡 Key Question:
How effectively does the student analyze the formal qualities of the selected artworks?
Requirements:
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A minimum of 4-7 pieces (SL) and 8-11 pieces (HL) of high-quality artwork.
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Clear connections between artworks, showing thematic or conceptual links.
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Evidence of exploration and progression (not random artworks thrown together).
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Diversity in media and techniques (if possible) while maintaining coherence.
Criterion B: Technical Competence (Max 9)
💡 Key Question:
How well does the student demonstrate technical skill and control over their chosen media?
Requirements:
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Confident and skilled execution of techniques.
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Appropriate choice of media that enhances meaning and message.
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Consistency in quality (avoid including weaker pieces just to meet the number requirement).
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Consideration of composition, proportion, perspective, and craftsmanship.
✅ Example of Strong Execution:
A meticulously crafted sculpture using clay and resin, demonstrating refined surface textures, strong structural integrity, and excellent material handling.
❌ Common Mistake:
Submitting works with unfinished edges, poor blending, or visible errors that show a lack of technical refinement.
Criterion C: Conceptual Qualities (Max 9)
💡 Key Question:
Do the artworks explore meaningful ideas, themes, or personal reflections?
Requirements:
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Clear narrative, message, or intention behind each artwork.
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Use of symbols, metaphors, or storytelling to enrich meaning.
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Originality – avoid overused themes or cliché images.
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Connection to historical, cultural, or contemporary influences.
Criterion D: Curatorial Practice (Max 3)
💡 Key Question:
Can the student clearly explain their artistic choices and exhibition layout?
Requirements:
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A statement explaining the overall exhibition theme, artistic choices, and curatorial decisions.
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Justification of how the works are arranged and why.
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Reflection on artistic challenges and learning process.
Criterion E: Presentation & Cohesion (Max 3)
💡 Key Question:
Can the student clearly explain their artistic choices and exhibition layout?
Requirements:
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Thoughtful placement of artworks to create visual flow.
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Consideration of lighting, spacing, and eye-level viewing.
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A balance between negative space and artwork arrangement.
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Labels and descriptions that provide context but do not overshadow the works.
SL vs. HL Exhibition Requirements
Step-by-Step Guide:
What to Select for the Exhibition
When choosing works for the exhibition, students should focus on:
Media & Techniques:
What Can Be Included?
Students can include works from various media and techniques, such as:
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*IBTip: For HL students, having at least three different media (e.g., painting, sculpture, and photography) strengthens the exhibition. SL students should aim for at least two different media.
The Curatorial Rationale:
Justifying the Exhibition Choices
The Curatorial Rationale is a written reflection where students explain:
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The themes or ideas explored in the exhibition.
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How the artworks are connected (stylistically, conceptually, or thematically).
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The selection process – why certain works were chosen.
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How the arrangement of the works enhances the overall impact.
Assembling & Displaying the Exhibition
Once students have selected their works and written their curatorial rationale, they must carefully plan the layout of their exhibition.
Choosing a Layout
There are different ways to organize an exhibition, such as:
How to Arrange the Artworks?
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Balance large and small pieces – avoid placing all big works on one side.
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Consider eye level – the most important works should be at the viewer's natural eye level.
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Leave space between pieces – overcrowding makes it harder to appreciate each artwork.
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Use lighting effectively – ensure that lighting highlights the details and textures.
Labeling and Adding Final Touches
Each artwork should be labeled with a title, media, dimensions, and date. IB recommends using simple, professional labeling with clear fonts. Labels should be consistent in size and placement throughout the exhibition.
Taking Care of Artworks & Keeping the Display Safe
Since exhibitions last for a period of time, students should consider:
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Protecting fragile pieces – Use glass covers or protective frames.
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Avoiding direct sunlight – Prevents fading in watercolor, prints, and photographs.
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Maintaining cleanliness – Check regularly for dust, fingerprints, or damage.
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Securing 3D works – If sculptures are displayed, ensure they are on stable bases.If using mixed media with organic materials (e.g., leaves, textiles), consider how they may deteriorate over time and plan accordingly.
Displaying the Exhibition: Final Considerations
Before the exhibition is complete, students should:
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Walk through their display as a visitor to see if the layout feels cohesive.
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Check spacing to ensure works are not too crowded or too spread out.
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Test lighting and make adjustments as needed.
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Ensure labels are correctly positioned and match IB expectations.
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Take high-quality photographs for their exhibition documentation.
The Exhibition Worksheets
Use those to help you to prepare for your Art Exhibition
