Introduction
The curatorial rationale is a key part of the IB Visual Arts exhibition. Even if your artworks are strong, a weak rationale can reduce your final grade. Examiners want to see how you explain your theme, justify your choices, and reflect critically on your process. High-scoring rationales are clear, reflective, and examiner-friendly.
This guide will share what makes strong curatorial rationales stand out, with examples of approaches that earned top marks.
What Examiners Look For in Curatorial Rationales
- Clarity of theme: A clear artistic concept or question driving the exhibition.
- Justification of choices: Why these artworks were selected over others.
- Curatorial awareness: Thoughtful placement, flow, and presentation.
- Reflection: Insight into growth, experimentation, and challenges.
- Personal voice: An authentic explanation in the student’s own words.
High-Scoring Curatorial Rationale Approaches
Example 1: Theme of Identity
- Focus: The student explored cultural identity and memory.
- Artworks: Paintings, photographs, and textile pieces showing both personal symbols and broader cultural motifs.
- Curatorial decisions: Works arranged from childhood memories to present-day reflections, creating a chronological narrative.
- Reflection: The student explained how experimenting with collage strengthened their voice and why certain weaker works were excluded.
Why It Scored High: Clear theme, variety of media, and a strong connection between personal experience and exhibition layout.
Example 2: Theme of Environmental Issues
- Focus: The student examined humanity’s impact on nature.
- Artworks: Mixed media sculptures with recycled materials, alongside photography and paintings of landscapes.
- Curatorial decisions: Placement created contrast — works of destruction were displayed alongside hopeful pieces about regeneration.
- Reflection: The rationale explained how experimenting with found materials transformed the student’s approach.
Why It Scored High: Strong conceptual depth, thoughtful use of materials, and a clear explanation of artistic growth.
Example 3: Theme of Dreams and Subconscious
- Focus: Exploration of surrealism and dreamlike imagery.
- Artworks: Abstract paintings, digital art, and mixed media collages.
- Curatorial decisions: Works placed in a circular arrangement to mimic the flow of dreams.
- Reflection: The student reflected on failures in early works and how experimenting with digital layering improved their outcomes.
Why It Scored High: Creative curatorial decisions and honest reflection on experimentation.
Key Lessons From High-Scoring Rationales
- Be specific — explain your choices clearly.
- Show growth — highlight challenges, failures, and breakthroughs.
- Connect to theme — every work should tie into your central concept.
- Explain curatorial flow — why you arranged works in a certain way.
- Keep your voice authentic — write in first person with honesty.
Common Mistakes in Lower-Scoring Rationales
- Writing vague statements like “I wanted to show emotions.”
- Ignoring curatorial layout and presentation decisions.
- Listing artworks without explaining why they were chosen.
- Using overly academic or impersonal language.
- Forgetting to reflect on growth and experimentation.
FAQs on High-Scoring Rationales
Q1: How long should a rationale be?
- SL: up to 400 words.
- HL: up to 700 words.
Q2: Can I use bullet points in my rationale?
No — it should be written as a reflective essay.
Q3: Should I describe each artwork individually?
Only when necessary. Focus more on overall theme and curatorial choices.
Q4: Do examiners prefer formal or personal writing style?
Personal but clear. Avoid being too casual, but don’t overcomplicate.
Q5: Can I reuse rationale ideas from my process portfolio?
Yes, but refine them into a polished final reflection.
Conclusion
High-scoring IB Visual Arts curatorial rationales are clear, reflective, and intentional. They explain the theme, justify the artwork selection, describe curatorial choices, and reflect on artistic growth. By studying strong examples and avoiding vague or generic writing, you can craft a rationale that strengthens your exhibition and helps secure top marks.
