1. Concentration Criteria

Refer to the list of the requirements for each portfolio by reviewing “Points to Consider” (just below) and the summary chart.

Points to Consider

A strong concentration is one with a clear focus on an idea or theme. This focus remains central throughout the portfolio and the progression or transformation of the idea or theme is evident. The work invokes a response in the viewer as it is engaging in form and in content (Sunday, 2011).

The criteria listed below includes key points quoted directly from the College Board AP Studio Art Poster, 2010-11. Refer to the poster (in your course handouts) and the AP website: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_studioart.html if you require additional information.

A concentration is a body of related works that:

  • grow out of a coherent plan of action or investigation;
  • are unified by an underlying idea that has visual and/or conceptual coherence;
  • are based on your individual interest in a particular visual idea;
  • are focused on a process of investigation, growth and discovery; and
  • show the development of a visual language appropriate for your subject.

A concentration is NOT:

  • a variety of works produced as solutions to class projects;
  • a collection of works with differing intents;
  • a group project or collaboration;
  • a collection of works derived solely from other people’s published photographs;
  • a body of work that simply investigates a medium, without a strong underlying visual idea; or
  • a project that merely takes a long time to complete.

References:

College Board Advanced Placement Program. (2010). AP studio art poster, 2010-11.

College Board Advanced Placement Program, (n.d.). AP studio art. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_studioart.html

Sunday, B. (2011). Introduction to AP studio art. Unpublished manuscript, AP Studio Art Session, Presented by Barbara Sunday, Sentinel Secondary School, West Vancouver, Canada.