Expressive Art

in a world where anything is possible…

Curriculum Lead = Miss Lisa Jones

Why have a specific MDPh for Expressive Arts?

Learning through the Expressive Arts provides opportunities to explore, refine and communicate ideas, creatively igniting the mind, imagination and senses in a world where anything is possible. Engaging with the expressive arts requires application, persistence and close attention to detail; abilities that have benefits across learning. These higher level skills are in high demand by employers and are essential for learners to become active citizens of the twenty-first century. Through the learning and experience of Expressive Arts learners will gain confidence to grow and use their voices and artistic identity and will explore ways of connecting and communicating with others. This area of ​​learning and experience provides opportunities to develop a lifelong appreciation and enjoyment of, and participation in, expressive arts and cultural activities.

How can the field of learning and experience of the Expressive Arts support health and well-being?

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that life has changed beyond all recognition, often feeling strange, confusing and overwhelming. Taking care of our health and wellbeing has never been so important. It is essential for everyone's mental wellbeing to have an outlet to express emotions and many do this through the arts. Planning and developing a rich expressive arts curriculum provides a platform for supporting the well-being of all learners.

"The Arts help people cope in dark times...even during a pandemic."
Barbara Stcherbatcheff (Fforwm Economaidd y Byd 2020)

The vision for the Expressive Arts

A Curriculum for Wales raises the profile of this Area and gives it equal status with all other areas.

• The Expressive Arts will provide rich and authentic contexts for learners to realize the four purposes.
• The dynamic and inclusive nature of Expressive Arts develops learners' motivation and self-confidence and their artistic, creative and performing skills.
• The Expressive Arts will foster a pipeline of talent to maintain and develop the various opportunities in the creative industries.
• This Area also fosters transferable skills including, creativity and critical thinking skills.
  
  

What are the Expressive Arts?

This area of ​​learning and experience includes five disciplines, namely art, dance, drama, film and digital media, and music, and each discipline has its own body of skills and knowledge. It is important that schools provide broad and balanced opportunities that enable their learners to progress towards the four purposes across all of the disciplines.

ART
Art involves development and experimentation with an unlimited range of resources, materials, techniques and processes onacross all forms of art, craft and design.

DANCE
Dance includes performing, choreography and appreciation across a range of styles.

DRAMA
Drama includes acting, directing, designing, technical theater and art administration.

FILM AND DIGITIAL MEDIA
Film and digital media include television, film, radio, game design, photography,
live events and theatrical production skills, print media, social media, sound and audio production.

MUSIC
Music includes performing, improvising and composing, listening and appreciating.

These five disciplines are interconnected, and what connects them is the creative process of exploring, responding and creating. This process is the common thread and they rarely work alone.

The creative process within the expressive arts will give learners a platform to explore creative and expressive possibilities. The process can help learners better understand and transfer this understanding of the nature of boundaries and risk taking, as well as how to respond productively to their mistakes.

What matters within the Expressive Arts?

It is essential to reflect on the statements of what is important and the rationale behind each. It is crucial to engage with the statements of what is important and appreciate their importance in realizing the four purposes.

What is important in this Area has been expressed in three statements, which support and complement each other and should not be considered separately. The interconnected statements enable learners to fully engage with the creative process in each of the disciplines.

The statements of what is important provide the key concepts in this Area and all learning must link back to them.

What matters…

Exploring the expressive arts is essential to developing artistic skills and knowledge and it enables learners to become curious and creative individuals. 
Responding and reflecting, both as artist and audience, is a fundamental part of learning in the expressive arts.
Creating combines skills and knowledge, drawing on the senses, inspiration and imagination.

Present Plans for Expressive Arts

Dyfyniadau defnyddiol 

“Creativity is as important as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status.” Sir Ken Robinson

“If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.” Sir Ken Robinson

“All children are born artists – the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.” Pablo Picasso

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato 

“Create your own method. Don't depend slavishly on mine. Make up something that will work for you! But keep breaking traditions, I beg you.” Constantin Stanislavski

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