Sustained Investigation
Photo Credit - Stephanie Chow
Sustained Investigation:
This section of the AP Art and Design Portfolio Exams offers students the opportunity to make and present works of art and design based on an in-depth investigation of materials, processes, and ideas done over time.
Sustained investigation is guided by questions.
It involves:
1. practice,
2. experimentation,
3. revision using materials, processes, and ideas.
You will be developing work for the entire year based on an idea and an INQUIRY QUESTION (IQ). This will guide your SUSTAINED INVESTIGATION. What is an inquiry question?
INQUIRY QUESTION:
- is NOT a question that can be answered with YES and NO
- is arguable with multiple answers
- raises further questions
- sparks discussion and debate
- demands evidence and reasoning because varying answers exist
- points to ideas and pressing issues in your life, the world, the community
- recurs throughout the year
- answers proposed are tentative and may change in light of new experiences and deepening understanding
- it should be ongoing and evolving throughout the year (usually to become more specific)
NOTE - When Identifying an Area of Inquiry for the Sustained Investigation
Consider:
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Personal identity, strengths, interests and passions.
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Areas of “unique” knowledge/experience in which you have a personal voice.
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Exceptional skill sets, accomplishments, and successes in Drawing, 2D Art and Design, or 3D Art and Design. Can you build on these?
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Future directions, ambitions may provide links to guide the inquiry.
Research already underway that you can piggybank onto;
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Capstone inquiry question
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Sustained Investigation Question of focus in another Studio Art AP Portfolio
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Post-secondary application assignments.
Remember:
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Rise above merely selecting a topic or theme.
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Move into question forming and inquiry planning. What is the burning issue within your idea? Do you have an opinion - suspicion, or aspect that you wish to research further? What is it that you want your viewer to notice/understand?
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Be able to explain how your idea might relate to a big picture topic.