AP Art and Design

The AP Art and Design program is a one year offering that consists of three different courses and AP Portfolio Exams—AP 2D Art and Design, AP 3D Art and Design, and AP Drawing—corresponding to college and university foundations courses. Students may choose to submit any or all of the AP Portfolio Exams. Students create a portfolio of work to demonstrate inquiry through art and design and development of materials, processes, and ideas over the course of a year. Portfolios include works of art and design, process documentation, and written information about the work presented. In May, students submit portfolios for evaluation based on specific criteria, which include skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas and sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision, guided by questions. Students may choose to submit any or all of the AP Portfolio Exams.

All three AP Art and Design Portfolio Exams contain two sections. The Selected Works section requires students to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. The Sustained Investigation section requires students to conduct a sustained investigation based on an inquiry of the student’s choosing. The work in this section should reflect ongoing practice, experimentation, and revision. Both sections of the portfolios require students to articulate information about their work. Both sections are required. Students earn a score for each section, and section scores are combined to produce an overall portfolio score that may offer opportunities for college credit and/or advanced placement. The works presented for portfolio assessment may be produced in art classes or on the student’s own time and may cover a period of time longer than a single school year.

AP 2D Art and Design Portfolio: Selected Works (40% of Total Score) Five physical works or high-quality printed reproductions of physical works that each demonstrate synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas using 2D art and design skills. Sustained Investigation (60% of total score) 15 digital images of works of art and process documentation that demonstrate sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision. Students can work with any materials, processes, and ideas. Graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, fashion design, fashion illustration, painting, and printmaking are among the possibilities for submission. Still images from videos or film are accepted. Composite images may be submitted.

AP 3D Art and Design Portfolio: Selected Works (40% of Total Score) 10 digital images consisting of two views each of five works that demonstrate synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas using 3-D art and design skills. Sustained Investigation (60% of total score) 15 digital images of works of art and process documentation that demonstrate sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision. Figurative or non figurative sculpture, architectural models, metal work, ceramics, glasswork, installation, performance, assemblage, and 3-D fabric/fiber arts are among the possibilities for submission.

AP Drawing Portfolio: Selected Works (40% of Total Score) Five physical works or high-quality printed reproductions of physical works that each demonstrate synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas using 2-D art and design skills. Sustained Investigation (60% of Total Score) 15 digital images of works of art and process documentation that demonstrate sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision. Drawing (analog and digital), painting, printmaking, and mixed media work are among the possibilities for submission.

Prerequisites: AP Art and Design courses are for juniors or seniors who are self-motivated and interested in inquiry-based thinking while making and developing a portfolio for college. Prior experiences learning about and making art and design support student success in AP Art and Design, and it is strongly recommended that students have taken a beginning and secondary level in the art form they are testing in, for example 2D Drawing (2D Art, Digital Art), 2D Design (Digital Art, Fashion Design or Architecture), and 3D Art (Sculpture or Ceramics). Students who have not had opportunities to take these classes prior to AP will likely need assistance in developing a foundational understanding of art and design materials, processes, and ideas to prepare them for success. This is a fast-paced course and students are expected to work on projects outside of class time.