Unit Plan 35 (Grade 7 Art): Final Exhibition Presentation
Grade 7 exhibition design unit where students curate and present artwork, explaining how placement, grouping, and labels shape viewer interpretation and overall impact.
Focus: Present curated works to an audience by planning and explaining presentation decisions that shape viewer interpretation and overall exhibition impact.
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Presentation • Exhibition Design)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students shift from makers to presenters and hosts, preparing a final exhibition of their work for an authentic audience (classmates, families, staff, or peers). They consider how placement, sequencing, spacing, labels, and viewing paths influence how viewers interpret individual pieces and the show as a whole. Through layout planning, label writing, and rehearsal of short presentations or tours, students practice explaining their choices and how these decisions affect the exhibition’s mood, clarity, and message.
Essential Questions
- How do presentation decisions (placement, grouping, spacing, labels) affect how viewers understand and feel about artwork?
- What makes an exhibition feel organized, welcoming, and easy to navigate for an audience?
- How can I explain my presentation choices and connect them to the story or message of my work?
- What responsibilities do artists and curators have when presenting work to an authentic audience?
- How can presenting my artwork publicly help me grow in confidence and artistic identity?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Identify and explain key presentation decisions (placement, sequencing, spacing, labeling) that influence viewer interpretation and experience (VA:Pr6.7a).
- Help plan a final exhibition layout, deciding where and how works are displayed to create a clear, engaging experience for viewers (VA:Pr6.7a).
- Prepare labels or brief statements that guide audience understanding of individual pieces or sections of the exhibition (VA:Pr6.7a).
- Rehearse and deliver a short presentation, tour, or artist talk, explaining how presentation choices support meaning and impact (VA:Pr6.7a).
- Reflect on how their exhibition design and presentation affected audience interpretation and what they would change or keep next time (VA:Pr6.7a).
Standards Alignment — 7th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Pr6.7a — Explain how presentation decisions affect viewer interpretation and overall impact.
- Example: Students discuss how placement and spacing influence exhibition flow.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can name and describe presentation decisions that change how viewers experience artwork.
- I can help design an exhibition layout that feels organized and intentional for an audience.
- I can write clear labels or statements that help viewers understand my work.
- I can confidently present or talk about my artwork and explain why we arranged the exhibition the way we did.
- I can reflect on how our presentation decisions affected the impact of the final show.