New IB Syllabus: Changes & How to Adapt

As the Visual Arts teacher for the IB Diploma Programme, I’m thrilled to share that the IB Visual Arts course is undergoing an exciting transformation. Starting with the first assessments in 2027, the new guide offers a more student-centered, inquiry-based approach that brings even more clarity, flexibility, and creative potential to the classroom. While the core values of reflection, exploration, and global context remain, the structure and assessments are evolving in powerful ways.

What’s New in the 2027 Curriculum?

The biggest shift in the new syllabus is how everything now revolves around three key interconnected strands:

Create – the art-making process and technical exploration
Connect – linking personal work to cultural, historical, and contemporary contexts
Communicate – how ideas, intentions, and final artworks are presented

These strands are not separate units; they work together across the two-year course, guiding every task, reflection, and assessment. This helps students not only make meaningful art but also become articulate, reflective, and confident young artists.

Key takeaway:

Instead of treating tasks as separate checkboxes, the new guide encourages students to explore big ideas, pursue their interests, and reflect continuously throughout the course. This approach feels more natural, connected, and authentic.

How I’m Adapting My Teaching

To align with these changes, I’ve redesigned my curriculum to support deeper investigations, offer more choice, and build essential skills gradually. Some ways I’m adapting:

Inquiry-Driven Projects

Students select personal or global themes to guide their artwork, research, and experiments from early in the course.

Sketchbook & Process Journals

These are central tools for tracking ideas, developing voice, and documenting growth.

Visual Voices Art Talks

Short 15-minute lessons on key art movements + contemporary artists to fuel contextual understanding and visual analysis.

Student-Led Critiques

Emphasizing peer feedback and curatorial thinking.

IB Portfolio Preparation

Regular milestones for writing reflections, photographing work, and organizing their final portfolio early on.

Digital Tools I Use

Here are some tools I integrate into the new curriculum to support student creativity and assessment success:

Final Words

The new IB Visual Arts guide is a shift in structure, but also a philosophical evolution that gives students more ownership, encourages authentic expression, and strengthens their readiness for creative futures.

As we dive into this journey together, I’m here to guide, challenge, and support every step of the way.

Let’s create something meaningful!