The art department aims to provide opportunities for girls to work in a wide range of media and gain experiences in drawing, painting, mixed media, print, digital photography, textiles, clay and other three dimensional materials. Girls are encouraged to look at the work of artists and designers in order to develop their own ideas. Facilities include studios for painting, three-dimensional materials, textiles and silk-screen printing. Girls also have access to the department‘s computers, printers and digital cameras.
Following the success of 2010's Art Exhibition held at National Trust property Beninbrough Hall, QM held another Art Exhibition in March 2011. Held, once again at the magnificent Beningbrough Hall, the Exhibition showcased a range of art by talented QM students and was a wonderful opportunity to view the exceptionally high quality of work produced by students at the School.
Year I
Topics include drawing, colour and painting.
Year II
Topics include portraiture and three dimensional work through mask making. Both topics include opportunities for photography and computer-manipulation of images.
Year III
The girls work on a GCSE style topic which is broad-based in material use.
Years IV and V
The AQA syllabus is followed for GCSE.
Girls are required to complete two coursework topics, selected to allow them to work to their strengths and interests. Topics that are fine art and design based are studied. If a girl shows a particular ability in a single discipline, such as fine art, she may specialise in that area.
The OCR syllabus is followed at AS and A2 levels
AS Level
Girls are required to complete two practical coursework topics, one 1500 word written and illustrated assignment and a final 5 hour practical examination. Drawing is seen as an important part of all the courses. Girls choose coursework assignments from fine art, graphic design, block printing, sculpture, photography and work in clay. All girls have access to digital cameras.
Each September the girls visit galleries in London to gain first hand experience of the work of artists and designers.
A2 Level
In the Upper Sixth girls are expected to complete one coursework practical assignment, one 2500 word written and illustrated assignment and one 15 hour practical examination. In the coursework assignment girls choose from fine art, graphic design, sculpture, block printing, photography and clay work.