My Elementary Visual Arts Curriculum is based on the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Arts & Humanities: Visual Arts and the new National Arts Standards for Visual Arts.
"The standards are organized around four artistic processes: 1. Creating involves conceiving and developing new artistic ideas and work in the five artistic disciplines, or it may involve improvising in music, dance or theatre. Improvising is the composing of new music, reciting/acting new dramatic material, or creating new dance movements on the spur of the moment.
2. Performing/Presenting/Producing is a multi-faceted process. Performing in dance, music and theatre is the realization of artistic ideas and work through interpretation and presentation. Although the process of performing involves following a creative plan conceived by a composer, playwright or choreographer, there is still opportunity for creative interpretations in the performance. Presenting in visual arts is the interpreting and sharing of artistic work. Producing in media arts is the realization and presenting of artistic ideas and work. Visual arts students should consider the exhibition of their art as ‘performing.’ Performing involves presenting previously created works for an audience as well as performing original works.
3. Responding to the arts involves an understanding and evaluating how the arts convey meaning. The arts are a tool for communication and are capable of delivering meaning through literal and emotional content. Responding to the emotional content of artworks involves actually feeling the emotion(s) set forth by the creator. Responding can also involve intellectual analysis of works of art in regard to their design, effectiveness and quality.
4. Connecting in the arts involves students relating artistic ideas and work with personal meaning and external content. Artists use personal experiences and gained knowledge to inform their own creative works. They also relate artistic ideas with the world around them; to society, culture, and history. This deepens the understanding of the work and appreciation of those who create the arts. The four Artistic Processes are further defined by 11 Anchor Standards; and each Anchor Standard has a number of Performance Standards." This section was taken directly from KDE's website: education.ky.gov/curriculum/conpro/artshum/Pages/default.aspx