Unit Plan 34 (Grade 6 Art): Final Exhibition Preparation
Grade 6 art curation unit where students select portfolio pieces using clear criteria, mount and label artwork, and prepare a polished final exhibition display.
Focus: Select and prepare artwork for final showcase using clear criteria and professional presentation steps.
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Presentation • Curation)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students shift from creating artwork to curating and preparing it for a final exhibition. They review their portfolio from the year and use simple criteria—effort, improvement, and communication effectiveness—to select pieces that best represent their artistic growth. Students then learn and practice presentation skills such as mounting, labeling, and organizing display space so that their work looks polished and inviting. By the end, each student has selected, mounted, and labeled a small set of artworks ready for a class showcase.
Essential Questions
- How do artists and curators decide which artworks belong in an exhibition?
- What does it mean for a piece to show strong effort, improvement, and communication?
- How do mounting, labeling, and display choices affect how people see and understand artwork?
- Why is preparing art for exhibition an important part of being an artist, not just a “finishing touch”?
- How can I use exhibition preparation to celebrate my growth and identity as an artist?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Use simple criteria (effort, improvement, communication) to evaluate and select pieces from their own work for display (VA:Pr4.6a).
- Explain why selected artworks are strong choices for exhibition, referring to personal growth and message (VA:Pr4.6a).
- Demonstrate basic presentation techniques such as neat mounting, trimming, and centering artwork on backing paper (VA:Pr5.6a).
- Create clear and accurate labels including title, name, medium, and optional short statement (VA:Pr5.6a).
- Help organize display space (wall, bulletin board, or table) so that artworks are arranged in a thoughtful, easy-to-view layout (VA:Pr5.6a).
Standards Alignment — 6th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Pr4.6a — Select artwork for display based on effort, improvement, and communication effectiveness.
- Example: Students choose a finished drawing for a classroom gallery.
- VA:Pr5.6a — Prepare artwork for presentation by mounting, labeling, and organizing display space appropriately.
- Example: Students create simple title cards and mount artwork neatly.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can use clear criteria (effort, improvement, communication) to choose which pieces go in the final exhibition.
- I can explain why each chosen artwork belongs in the show.
- I can mount my artwork neatly with straight edges and centered placement.
- I can create a label that correctly lists my name, title, medium, and a short description if needed.
- I can help arrange artwork in a display that looks organized and inviting to viewers.