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      Start your own art movement: the role of manifestos

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can create a manifesto to communicate my artistic intentions.

      Key learning points

      1. Art movements can use a manifesto to share their artistic principles with the public.
      2. Artistic intentions refer to the purpose of an art movement or artwork and the themes this is communicated through.
      3. Manifestos can guide the different styles and mediums used.
      4. Manifestos can be communicated through many different disciplines.

      Keywords

      • Manifesto - a public declaration of an art movement or artist’s principles

      • Artistic intention - the purpose or message of an art movement or artist’s work

      • Style - the artistic outcome of an art movement or artist

      • Medium - the materials that are used to create an artwork

      Common misconception

      Manifestos are always communicated through text.

      In art, manifestos don’t need to be written but can be multidisciplinary in their approach.

      Teacher tip

      It would be useful to gather examples of current topics or issues within school or the local community to support pupils in deciding upon the purpose of their manifestos.

      Equipment

      A range of mixed media and multimedia for pupils to decide how to communicate their manifesto.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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 is an art movement?

      A work of art made using video technology.
      Correct answer: A collection of artists and artworks with similar ideas and characteristics.
      A painting technique used by artists in the early 20th.

      Q2.
      What do artworks within an art movement have in common?

      Correct answer: They share ideas and characteristics.
      They are created in the same time and place.
      They are made by the same artist.

      Q3.
      What is the term given to an artistic practice which has its own techniques and materials?

      Correct Answer: discipline, Discipline

      Q4.
      Why might artists reference symbols and iconic images to communicate their ideas?

      They are easy to draw for the artist.
      Correct answer: They are easy to understand for the viewer.
      They have to include symbols and iconic images in their work.

      Q5.
      Which of the following are artistic disciplines?

      Correct answer: painting
      texture
      pattern
      Correct answer: sculpture
      composition

      Q6.
      Which of the following is not an art medium?

      Oil paint
      Digital painting
      Photography
      Correct answer: Scale

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is a public statement about the artistic intentions and principles of an art movement or artist called?

      Correct Answer: a manifesto, manifesto, manifestos

      Q2.
      What does ‘artistic intention’ refer to in a manifesto?

      The themes expressed in the artworks.
      Correct answer: The purpose of the artworks.
      The style of the artworks.
      The mediums used in the artworks.

      Q3.
      Complete the sentence: The Harlem Renaissance used themes of , the influence of slavery and the everyday lives of Black people living in America to express their artistic intention.

      Correct Answer: community, Community

      Q4.
      In art, what is a medium?

      The visual outcome of the creative process.
      Correct answer: The material used to make their work.
      The imagery used within an artwork.

      Q5.
      Which of the following are considered non-traditional art media?

      Correct answer: sound
      oil paint
      Correct answer: found objects
      pencil

      Q6.
      Complete the sentence: In art, manifestos don’t need to be written and can be in their approach.

      Correct Answer: multidisciplinary, crossdisciplinary, interdisciplinary

      To help you plan your 7 art and design lesson on: Start your own art movement: the role of manifestos, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...