Basic 6 · Creative Arts · Displaying and Sharing
Staging a Display of Our Artworks
In this topic you will stage a combined display of your visual and performing artworks to share creative experiences with the school community.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Plan a combined visual and performing arts display
- Organise the venue, programme and roles
- Present and explain artworks to visitors
What you already know
- Planning an exhibition and staging a show
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Visual & Performing Arts
- Sub-strand
- Displaying and Sharing
- Indicator
- B6.2.3.5 – Stage a display of own artworks to share creative experiences3
Introduction
An arts festival brings together paintings, crafts, music, dance and drama in one place. Now you will stage your own class arts festival.
1. Planning the Display
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| theme | "Art for a Better World" |
| visual arts | symbolic posters, functional crafts, inspired artworks |
| performing arts | songs, dances, short dramas, poems |
| venue | school hall or compound with an exhibition area and a stage |
| roles | coordinator, curators, guides, MC, performers, ushers, cleaners |
| publicity | posters, invitations, announcements |
| feedback | visitors' book or comment cards |
2. Layout
Divide the venue into zones. The exhibition zone holds visual artworks arranged by theme. The performance zone has a stage area and seating. A welcome table at the entrance has the programme and visitors' book. Leave clear paths so visitors can move easily.
3. Sample Programme
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | opening, welcome and prayer |
| 10:10 | guided tour of the exhibition |
| 10:40 | performances: song, drama, dance |
| 11:20 | artists explain selected works |
| 11:40 | visitors' comments and closing |
4. Guiding and Explaining
Guides and artists should greet visitors, explain the theme, describe the materials and techniques, and share the message of each artwork. Speak clearly and answer questions politely. Encourage visitors to write comments.
Rehearse what you will say about each artwork so you can explain it in two or three clear sentences. Keep an eye on the artworks to make sure they are not damaged.
5. After the Display
- Return artworks to their owners carefully.
- Clean the venue.
- Read and discuss visitors' comments.
- Write a short report and take photographs for the school records.
New words
- arts festival
- An event showing many forms of art.
- curator
- A person who selects and arranges artworks for display.
- zone
- A section of a space used for a purpose.
- guided tour
- A walk around an exhibition led by a guide.
- coordinator
- A person who organises an event.
- visitors' book
- A book for visitors' comments.
Summary
- A combined display shows visual and performing arts together.
- Plan the theme, zones, programme, roles and publicity.
- Guides explain artworks and encourage feedback.
- Review comments and record the event.
Class activity: Class Arts Festival
- Stage a combined display of your term's artworks and performances.
- Take on roles such as curator, guide, MC and performer.
- Collect feedback and write a report.
You need: Learners’ own artworks, Label cards cut from manila paper, String, Clothes pegs
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. An event showing many forms of art is an…
- A. arts festival
- B. football match
- C. market day
- D. exam
Show answer
Answer: arts festivalCombined display.2. A person who selects and arranges artworks is a…
- A. curator
- B. usher
- C. MC
- D. drummer
Show answer
Answer: curatorOrganises the exhibition.3. Why divide the venue into zones?
- A. To organise exhibits and performances clearly
- B. To confuse visitors
- C. To hide works
- D. To reduce space
Show answer
Answer: To organise exhibits and performances clearlyClear layout.4. Guides should explain the message of artworks.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueHelps visitors understand.5. Visitors' comments are not useful.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseThey help artists improve.6. A walk around an exhibition led by a guide is a guided ______.
Show answer
Answer: tourVisitor route.7. List four roles needed for an arts festival.
Show answer
Answer: Coordinator, curator, guide, MC (or performers, ushers).Any four.8. Why is it useful to combine visual and performing arts in one display?
Show answer
Answer: It shows a variety of talents, keeps visitors interested and lets artworks and performances support the same theme.Combined impact.
Homework
- Write a report on your class arts festival with three highlights.