All three AP Art and Design Portfolio Exams contain two sections. The Selected Works section requires students to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. The Sustained Investigation section requires students to conduct a sustained investigation based on an inquiry of the student’s choosing. The work in this section should reflect ongoing practice, experimentation, and revision. Both sections of the portfolios require students to articulate information about their work.
Both sections are required. Students earn a score for each section, and sections scores are combined to produce an overall portfolio score that may offer opportunities for college credit and/or advanced placement. The order in which the sections are presented is not intended to suggest a curricular sequence. The works presented for portfolio assessment may be produced in art classes or on the student’s own time and may cover a period of time longer than a single school year. The table that follows summarizes the section requirements for each of the three portfolios.
Selected Works (40% of Total Score):
--AP 3-D Art and Design Portfolio: 10 digital images consisting of two views of each of five works that demonstrate synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas using 3-D art and design skills.
Sustained Investigation (60% of Total Score)
--15 digital images of works of art and process documentation that demonstrate sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision.
1. Inquiry and Investigation: Investigate materials, processes and ideas.
2. Making Through Practice, Experimentation, and Revision: Make works of art and design by practicing, experimenting, and revising.
2.A Formulate questions or areas of inquiry that guide a sustained investigation through art and design.
2.B Conduct a sustained investigation through art and design that demonstrates practice, experimentation, and revision guided by questions or inquiry.
2.C Make works of art and design that demonstrate synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas.
2.D Make works of art and design that demonstrate 2-D, 3-D, or drawing skills.
3. Communication and Reflection: Communicate ideas about art and design.
3.A Identify, in writing, questions or inquiry that guided a sustained investigation through art and design.
3.B Describe, in writing, how a sustained investigation through art and design shows evidence of practice, experimentation, and revision guided by questions or inquiry.