Leaving Certificate Art, Craft, Design Syllabus

Students who choose Art and Design for the Leaving Certificate will spend six periods a week studying the course. Four of these are practical lessons. These consist of Life drawing, Still Life and Imaginative Composition. Click here to see a selection of artwork.

Materials explored include mixed media, paint, oil and chalk pastel, pencil, and inks. The students will also explore Craftwork. Techniques covered under this term include Lino-Printing, Ceramics, Batik and Graphic Design.

In fifth year the students will develop and expand the skills they have learned at Junior Certificate. The emphasis this year is on the students developing their own style, their favourite medium and way of working. They then begin to prepare for the following years Leaving Certificate and begin to consider the possibility of Art as a post leaving career.

Students will spend two periods a week studying The History of Art. This subject is taught in a social, historical and cultural context.  The main areas covered are: .

• Irish Art - This involves a study of Irish art from Newgrange to the present day. Topics covered include architecture, painting, sculpture and crafts
• European Art -This is a study of European art from medieval times to the 20th century. Topics covered include architecture, painting, sculpture and crafts
• Appreciation of Art and Design -Topics explored under this term include film appreciation, a review of an exhibition, product design interior design, architecture and local heritage

Written Exam

The History of Art accounts for 38% of the final mark in the Leaving Certificate.  The exam is a two and half hours long and consists of three essays, one from each of the above sections. The History of Art examination takes place in June.

Practical Exams

• Imaginative Composition or Still Life: 2hrs 30 minutes (100 marks)
  
• Design or Craft: 5hrs (100 marks)
  
• Life-Drawing: 1hr  (50 marks)

All the practical exams take place in May. 

Careers

The career options available to students taking Art are: graphic artist, photographer, TV animator, photo journalist, ceramist, jewellery design, fine artist, industrial designer, fashion designer, set designer, theatre studies, architect, cinematographer, software engineer, structural and civil engineer, animator, make–up artist, teacher, technical drafting, advertising designer, set designer for film and TV, cartoonist, community artist, etc.