Unit Plan 31 (Grade 8 Art): Artist Statement Writing

Focus: Explain artistic intent, process, and influences in writing, connecting personal experiences, interests, and perspectives to specific artistic decisions.

Grade Level: 8

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Reflection & Communication • Connections)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students become writers of their own stories as artists by crafting thoughtful artist statements. Drawing on artworks they created earlier in the year (such as personal narrative pieces, social-issue projects, or style-based works), they reflect on their intent, process, and the experiences and influences that shaped their decisions. Students analyze sample artist statements, brainstorm personal connections, and draft, revise, and polish their own writing. By the end of the week, each student will complete at least one artist statement that clearly explains how their life, interests, and perspectives guided their artistic choices and what they hope the audience will understand or feel.

Essential Questions

• What is an artist statement, and why is it important for sharing my work with others?
• How do my personal experiences, interests, and perspectives show up in my artwork?
• How can I explain my artistic intent, process, and influences clearly in writing?
• How does good writing help an audience better interpret and connect with my art?
• In what ways can reflecting on my own work help me grow as an artist and communicator?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Analyze sample artist statements to identify common features such as intent, process, influences, and audience awareness.
2. Reflect on at least one of their own artworks to identify personal experiences, interests, and perspectives that shaped their artistic decisions (VA:Cn10.8a).
3. Draft an artist statement that explains:
   • The main idea or message of the artwork (intent).
   • Key steps in the process (media choices, techniques, revisions).
   • The influences (memories, culture, artists, issues) behind their decisions.
4. Use peer and teacher feedback to revise their writing for clarity, voice, and stronger connections between life experiences and artistic choices.
5. Produce a polished artist statement that can accompany their work in an exhibition or portfolio, demonstrating clear connection to VA:Cn10.8a.

Standards Alignment — 8th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Cn10.8a — Create artwork that reflects personal experiences, interests, or perspectives and explain how those influences shaped artistic decisions.
  • Example: Students write an artist statement that connects specific memories, cultural influences, or interests to their choices in subject matter, composition, and materials.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can explain in writing what my artwork is about and what I want people to understand or feel.
• I can describe how my life experiences, interests, or identity influenced my artistic decisions.
• I can clearly tell the story of my process—how I planned, experimented, and revised.
• I can revise my artist statement to make it clear, specific, and easy to understand for an audience.
• I can write an artist statement that I would be proud to put next to my artwork in an exhibit or portfolio.