What Is Conceptual Art?

In the EGG THE ARTS SHOW: WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? episode, artists and art historians explore what conceptual art means to them. In this lesson, students will explore conceptual art for themselves as they learn about its place in art history, study exemplary works, learn key concepts, and create their own definition of the movement. Finally, students create and exhibit conceptual art pieces.

Grade Level:
Grades 9-12

Time Allotment:
4-5 class periods

Subject Matter:
Visual Arts

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

Research movements within modern art and understand how they influence one another.
Study the life and works of a conceptual artist.
Define “conceptual art.”
Work collaboratively.
Create a piece of conceptual art.

Standards

Visual Arts Standard and Benchmarks

Standard 1: Understands and applies media, techniques, and processes related to the visual arts
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=13& StandardID=1
Understands how the communication of ideas relates to the media, techniques, and processes one uses.

Standard 3: Knows a range of subject matter, symbols, and potential ideas in the visual arts
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=13& StandardID=3
Applies various subjects, symbols, and ideas in one's artworks.

This lesson was prepared by Suzanne Furlong.

Overview | Procedures for Teachers | Organizers for Students