New
New
Making a collaborative portrait
I can contribute to a collaborative artwork, which highlights the importance of community.
Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
- Year 9
Making a collaborative portrait
I can contribute to a collaborative artwork, which highlights the importance of community.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Collaborative art is when artists and communities working closely together to make art.
- Collaborative art can bring communities together and make connections.
- Art can be a tool for helping people share experiences, confront challenges, and see new possibilities.
Keywords
Collaborative - working together with others to achieve a common goal or complete a task
Participants - people who take part in an activity, event, or competition
Community - a group of people who share common interests, goals, experiences or values
Common misconception
Collaborative art is just a group project with a leader.
Collaborative art is a collective process of co-creation where ideas and efforts are deeply intertwined.
It is suggested that student groups should be approximately 4-6 students. Student photos may be used for the task and should be printed before the lesson, alternatively pupils could bring in images.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Paper, oil pastel, masking tape, pen, pencils, paint, brushes.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the term collaborative mean?
What does the term collaborative mean?
completing a task independently without input from others
observing others as they work on a task
taking charge and directing others to complete a task
Q2.Which is the best definition for the word 'share'?
Which is the best definition for the word 'share'?
to compete with others for resources or recognition
to keep ideas, objects, or feelings private from others
to take things from others without permission
Q3.A community is a of people who share common interests, goals, experiences or values.
A community is a of people who share common interests, goals, experiences or values.
Q4.Which is the most accurate statement about art?
Which is the most accurate statement about art?
Art can only be made by professional artists.
Art is always created by one person, regardless of experience or background.
Art is made solely by an artist working independently.
Q5.A conversation is an exchange of thoughts, ideas, or information between ...
A conversation is an exchange of thoughts, ideas, or information between ...
Q6.Which statement do you think best describes a collaborative conversation?
Which statement do you think best describes a collaborative conversation?
when everyone talks over each other without focusing on the topic
when ideas are shared, but only one person's opinion is valued
when one person speaks, and the others listen without contributing
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match these key words and definitions.
Match these key words and definitions.
Q2.A collaboration is a group working ...
A collaboration is a group working ...
independently and sharing ideas later.
on the same task without sharing ideas or resources.
together to achieve a goal through individual efforts.
Q3.Collaborative projects ...
Collaborative projects ...
involve groups who always work on a single task but at the same time.
involve independent work with no need for coordination or combining efforts.
must have individuals working independently throughout.
Q4.What do collaborative conversations create which is useful to a project?
What do collaborative conversations create which is useful to a project?
a sense of competition, focusing on individual strengths and ignoring others
isolation, as people work alone without sharing their thoughts or building trust
a structured hierarchy, where one person's ideas dominate and others follow
Q5.Which statement is most true for art made in collaborative projects?
Which statement is most true for art made in collaborative projects?
People focus solely on individual expression without collaboration.
It follows traditional methods without encouraging creativity or new ideas.
It is created independently by each person with no shared themes or ideas.
