Virginia Law

The program in visual arts preK-12 shall ensure that the candidate has demonstrated the following competencies:

1. Understanding of the knowledge, skills, and processes of the visual arts discipline as defined in the Virginia Standards of Learning, and how they provide a necessary foundation for teaching the visual arts;

2. Understanding of the knowledge, skills, and processes for teaching art appropriate to the developmental levels and academic needs of students in preK-12 including the following:

a. Knowledge and experience in planning, developing, administering, and evaluating a program of visual arts education;

b. Two-dimensional media and concepts: basic and complex techniques and concepts in two-dimensional design, drawing, painting, printmaking, computer graphics, and other electronic imagery;

c. Three-dimensional media and concepts: basic and complex techniques and concepts in three-dimensional design, sculpture, ceramics, fiber arts, crafts, and computer and other electronic imagery;

d. Knowledge and understanding for teaching the visual arts, including visual communication and production, art history and cultural context, analysis, evaluation and critique, and aesthetics;

e. The relationship of visual arts and culture and the influence of visual arts on past and present cultures;

f. Related areas of visual arts, such as architecture, dance arts, music, theatre arts, photography, and other expressive arts;

g. Knowledge and understanding of technological and artistic copyright laws;

h. Knowledge and understanding of classroom management and safety, including use of toxic art material in various aspects of studio and classroom work;

i. Knowledge of a variety of instructional and assessment strategies to foster, support, and enhance student visual arts learning;

j. Knowledge and understanding of technology, with applications for instruction, resources, artistic expression, administration, assessment, and communication;

k. Knowledge and understanding of appropriate and sensitive attention to diversity and cultural understanding; and

l. Observation and student teaching experiences at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels.

3. Understanding of and proficiency in grammar, usage, and mechanics and their integration in writing.

4. Understanding of and proficiency in pedagogy to incorporate writing as an instructional and assessment tool for candidates to generate, gather, plan, organize, and present ideas in writing to communicate for a variety of purposes.