Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 11 The Arts
This course explores the intersection of technical proficiency and conceptual depth across visual arts, music, dance, and theater. Students engage in advanced creative processes while critically analyzing the social and historical contexts that shape artistic production in Canada and globally.
Visual Narrative and Contemporary Practice
Exploration of contemporary studio practices with an emphasis on how visual artists communicate complex narratives through mixed media and digital tools.
Investigating how personal and cultural symbols are used to convey meaning beyond the literal representation of objects.
Experimenting with non-traditional materials to add tactile and conceptual layers to two-dimensional works.
Analyzing the role of murals and installation art in addressing social justice issues within local communities.
Musical Composition and Soundscapes
Examining the structures of music theory and the evolution of sound design in contemporary and classical contexts.
Analyzing how chord progressions and harmonic shifts evoke specific psychological responses in the listener.
Tracing the origins of polyrhythms and syncopation across global musical traditions.
Exploring the role of non-musical sounds and digital synthesis in creating immersive environments.
Theatrical Performance and Dramaturgy
Focusing on the technical aspects of acting and the historical development of dramatic structures.
Comparing internal and external approaches to character development and performance.
Deconstructing dramatic texts to find the hidden motivations and social commentaries within a play.
Examining how set design, lighting, and costumes contribute to the overall thematic message of a production.
Choreography and the Moving Body
Analyzing dance as a medium for communication and the physical principles of movement.
Understanding how space, levels, and pathways are used to create visual interest in choreography.
Investigating how dance forms have been used by marginalized groups to preserve heritage and protest oppression.
Studying the mechanics of the human body to improve performance and prevent injury in the arts.
Art History and Global Traditions
A comparative study of art movements and their impact on global culture from the Renaissance to the present.
Examining the shift toward humanism and perspective in European art and its global influences.
Exploring the significance of Indigenous artistic traditions in Canada and their role in asserting cultural identity.
Analyzing the radical shifts in art during the 20th century, from Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism.
Artistic Criticism and Curatorial Practice
Developing the skills to critique artwork professionally and understand the logistics of exhibition and production.
Investigating how the selection and display of art can reinforce or challenge power structures.
Learning formal methods for providing and receiving feedback on creative projects.
Understanding the economic and professional landscape for artists in the 21st century.