Introduction
The IB Visual Arts exhibition is the capstone of your course — the moment when you present your best works as a curated showcase. While both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) students follow the same assessment criteria, the requirements and expectations differ. Understanding these differences is the key to building an exhibition that meets examiner standards and maximizes your marks.
This guide will explain how to succeed in the IB Visual Arts exhibition at both SL and HL.
Exhibition Requirements
Standard Level (SL)
- Number of works: 4–7
- Curatorial rationale: Up to 400 words
- Focus: Breadth and coherence within a smaller body of work
Higher Level (HL)
- Number of works: 8–11
- Curatorial rationale: Up to 700 words
- Focus: Greater variety, depth, and conceptual refinement
What Examiners Look For at Both Levels
- Coherence: Works should connect under a clear theme.
- Variety: Range of media, techniques, or approaches.
- Technical competence: Evidence of refined skills.
- Conceptual depth: Strong ideas and symbolism.
- Presentation: Professional display, spacing, and labeling.
- Reflection: Clear explanations in the curatorial rationale.
How to Succeed at SL
- Focus on quality over quantity — every work should feel intentional.
- Use your rationale to explain how a small number of works still reflect growth and coherence.
- Show variety through approaches within the same medium if you prefer one style.
- Keep your exhibition concise but impactful.
How to Succeed at HL
- Demonstrate breadth: painting, photography, sculpture, digital, or mixed media.
- Curate carefully to avoid overcrowding — even with more works, clarity matters.
- Use the extended rationale (700 words) to deeply reflect on choices and influences.
- Highlight risk-taking — HL students are expected to experiment more boldly.
Example Exhibition Strategies
- SL Student: 6 works exploring identity through painting and photography, presented in a tight, narrative flow.
- HL Student: 10 works combining mixed media, installation, and digital projection to explore consumerism and culture.
Both can succeed — the difference lies in depth and scope.
Common Mistakes at SL and HL
- Overloading exhibitions with too many weak works.
- Choosing unrelated artworks that weaken coherence.
- Writing vague or rushed rationales.
- Ignoring presentation details (labels, layout, lighting).
- Forgetting to reflect on growth across works.
FAQs on SL vs HL Exhibitions
Q1: Can SL exhibitions score as highly as HL ones?
Yes — examiners grade according to level expectations. A strong SL exhibition can score a 7.
Q2: Do HL students need to show more risk-taking?
Yes — HL requires broader exploration and deeper refinement.
Q3: How important is the curatorial rationale at both levels?
Very — it clarifies your theme, choices, and curatorial intent.
Q4: Should SL students worry about not having enough works?
No — quality and coherence matter more than hitting the maximum number.
Q5: Do HL exhibitions always need to include installations or mixed media?
Not required, but variety strengthens your exhibition.
Conclusion
To succeed in the IB Visual Arts exhibition at both SL and HL, students must curate thoughtfully, show variety, and reflect clearly in their rationale. SL students should focus on making a smaller exhibition feel cohesive and meaningful, while HL students must demonstrate greater breadth, experimentation, and depth. At both levels, success comes from intentionality, not just quantity.
