Visual Arts
True or False.
I found Visual Art easy in Year 9. That means it will be an easy option for my 6th ATAR subject.
FALSE! The requirements for Junior and Senior syllabus differ greatly.
Only choose General Visual Arts if you are currently dedicated to a medium, e.g. drawing, painting, mixed media/collage, lens-based or digital media, 3D and sculpture etc...
Media Arts in Practice provides opportunity to engage with social media, advertising, journalism, podcasts, digital campaigns, and interactive media.
What job prospects does this help with?
Examples include marketing, communications, journalism, social media and community arts etc...
If I’m completing a school-based traineeship and will miss one Drama lesson each week, can I still succeed in this subject—and how can I manage the workload?"
Absolutely—it is possible to study Drama while completing a school-based traineeship, even if it means missing one lesson per week. But it will take some planning and honest commitment.
🎭 1. Communication is key
Let your Drama teacher & peers know early about your schedule. Together, you can plan for:
⏳ 2. Be proactive with your time
Missing class doesn’t mean missing learning—but it does mean taking charge of your own progress:
Drama involves group collaboration, rehearsal time, and live performance. You’ll need to demonstrate commitment not only to your own work but to your ensemble’s success. If you’re reliable, flexible, and open to feedback—you’ve got this.
True or False.
Dance is only for students with formal training.
False.
Experience in this subject will bring confidence to the subject, yet as long as you are willing to perform consistently and build your technical and expressive skills, then Dance may be an option for you in Senior.
How important is it to have passed Year 10 English to succeed in the written and analytical tasks in General Music?
Students studying General Music in Years 11 and 12 in Queensland don’t need to pass English as a prerequisite to enroll in the subject. However, strong English skills are definitely helpful.
When responding to music, students need the skills to investigate, devise, analyse and evaluate, with some responses up to 1000 words.
True or False.
Students in Visual Arts (General or Applied) can produce artwork completely in the comfort of their own home and do not need to publicly share their works.
FALSE.
Visual Arts use:
True or False.
Film, TV & New Media is only about watching movies and writing reviews.
False!
🎬 Film, TV & New Media provides opportunity such as:
Planning a short film with a script, camera angles, and a soundtrack
Analysing movie scenes, exploring cinematography, and editing film content
Focus on visual storytelling and artistic expression
My mum always says I’m so dramatic—does that means Drama is where I’ll shine?
NO! We are looking for students who are willing to act, devise & respond to their own & others works.
Both General & Applied Drama subjects require students to be focused, practical, collaborative and good listeners.
Do not sign up if you can't leave your personal drama at the door.
I am wanting to select subjects to support my ATAR pathway but want Dance in Practice to be my outlet. Is this a risky idea?
To calculate your ATAR in Queensland, the best 5 General subjects are used, or 4 General subjects + 1 Applied subject or VET qualification. That means:
Do I need to play a classical or orchestral instrument to take General Music or Music in Practice?
No.
Voice is also an instrument of choice for those studying Senior. Students are to have at least one instrument of choice to present their work (e.g. Vocal, guitar, piano or drums etc....). Experience is preferred.
I only love drawing manga. What should I study?
Well, it could be either!
🎨 Visual Art (General Subject)
This is your best fit if you want to:
You’ll also learn how to:
🖌️ Arts in Practice – Visual Arts
If you want a more applied, hands-on approach, this subject lets you:
A student hasn’t studied Media since Year 8 but is drawn to the idea of Film, Television & New Media. They’re not pursuing an ATAR pathway but prefer the cinematic focus of FTVNM over the practical nature of Media Arts in Practice.
What are two important considerations this student should keep in mind before selecting their subject?
1. Are you confidently meeting Year 10 English expectations?
FTVNM involves analysing and evaluating visual texts, so strong reading and writing skills will help you succeed in the analytical components of the course.
2. Are you prepared to film and edit projects outside of class time?
Creative production tasks often require time beyond scheduled lessons—especially when it comes to planning, filming, and refining your edits.
3. Are you open to exploring and interpreting a variety of media genres and styles?
FTVNM goes beyond entertainment—you’ll be engaging critically with different genres, audiences, and narrative techniques to understand how meaning is created through media.
I enjoy drama, but love working in local theatre on lighting, sound & projections more. Can I still study Drama in Practice?
Yes. Drama in Practice (Applied) allows you to experience roles on and off the stage such as stage management, event planning and directing.
True or False.
Dance in Practice may include event performances and exploring dance linked to real-world themes.
True.
Dance in Practice requires you to engage with community. It is expected you will present works in and beyond the SJC community.
Do I need to read music to have success in General Music?
The short answer is: you don’t need to be fluent in reading music to succeed, but having some music literacy will definitely help.
In General Music, students are expected to engage with musical elements through creating, performing, and responding. This includes:
So while you don’t need to be a sight-reading expert, you will need to develop basic skills in reading and understanding music notation as part of the course. The good news? These skills are taught and strengthened throughout the subject—you’re not expected to be perfect from day one.
You currently study Year 10 Visual Arts yet need regular support with time management & organisation.
Provide three strategies to help you decide what Visual Arts course if the right choice?
1. Seek feedback - talk with your VA's teacher
2. Decide if you can plan/schedule ways to balance the practical artmaking with written components like artist statements and analysis needed for General VA's. Consider your outside of school commitments.
3. Rank your subjects; where does Visual Art's sit on your list? Are you relying on Visual Arts as a General subject selection to contribute to your ATAR pathway?
General or Applied?
In this subject, we are cinematic storytellers—scriptwriting, directing, editing, and analysing screen texts.
General.
Fill in the blanks:
Drama is a G_______ S_________ S___________.
Students should complete Unit ___ and Unit ___ before beginning Units ___ and ______.
Drama is a General Senior Syllabus.
Students should complete Unit 1and Unit 2 before beginning Units 3 and 4.
True or False.
Dance isn’t academic or intellectually challenging.
False.
Dance involves critical thinking, spatial awareness, anatomy, cultural studies, and choreographic analysis. It’s both physical and cerebral.
General or Applied?
Students learn about workplace health and safety issues relevant to the music industry and effective work practices that foster a positive work ethic, the ability to work as part of a team, and project management skills
Applied.
Students are exposed to authentic music practices that reflect the real-world practices of composers, performers, and audiences.
List three career pathways available to someone studying Visual Arts.
🎨 Creative & Studio-Based Roles
💻 Design & Digital Media
📸 Lens-Based & Media Arts
🏛️ Curation, Education & Community Arts
🧵 Applied & Commercial Arts
🧠 Therapeutic & Research Roles
A student is considering choosing Film, Television & New Media (FTVNM), but most of their friends have selected Media Arts in Practice. They’re drawn to FTVNM and believe it's the right fit, but they’re worried they’ll lose motivation without their social group.
What advice would you give this student to help them make the best decision for their future?
If FTVNM excites you, challenges you, and feels like the right path, then your future self will thank you for choosing it. This subject can open doors that align with your passions—and friendships can flourish outside of class.
Even if your friends are in another subject, you'll be learning alongside others who also love film, storytelling, editing, and screen culture. You could find unexpected connections with people who share your creative energy.
Will I be required to perform live in front of an audience if I choose General Drama or Drama in Practice in Years 11 & 12?
Yes—live performance is a key component of both General Drama and Applied Drama (Drama in Practice) in Years 11 and 12 under the Australian Curriculum, but the expectations differ slightly in purpose and style.
🎭 General Drama (ATAR Subject)
Yes, you are expected to perform live.
🎬 Applied Drama / Drama in Practice (Non-ATAR Subject)
Yes, you are expected to perform live but with more flexibility.
I don't want to be a dancer in the future but have experience and passion for the subject. Should I study Dance in Senior?
Yes, you should consider studying Dance if you have experience and passion for it, even if you don’t plan to pursue it as a career.
💃 Dance is more than a career path—it’s a creative language
Studying Dance in senior school isn’t just about becoming a professional dancer. It’s about:
🧠 It develops transferable skills
Dance strengthens:
These are valuable in any future—whether you go into teaching, health, design, business, or something else entirely.
I love music but want real world music experience. What should I study?
Music in Practice
Unlike General Music, that holds fairly equal weight across theory, composition, and performance, Music in Practice is designed to connect your creativity with practical, community-based experiences. You might find yourself: