In the Caribbean, much knowledge and information are communicated through images and spectacle and the visual arts serve to interpret this information and build bridges to understanding the role of art in interpreting our contemporary, historical, cultural and visual world. The Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) syllabus in the Visual Arts will help to promote and encourage tolerance and diversity among students of different ethnic backgrounds, cultures and points of view in the region. The syllabus also helps students to develop intellectually and seeks to refine their critical thinking skills and judgments through research and the making of art.
The knowledge, understanding, skills and values to be gained from the CSEC Visual Arts Syllabus are organized in three components namely:
| Two-Dimensional Expressive Forms | Drawing, Painting and Mixed-media, Graphic and Communication Design, Printmaking, Textile Design and Manipulation |
| Three-Dimensional Expressive Forms | Sculpture and Ceramics Leathercraft, Fibre and Decorative Arts |
| The Reflective Journal | The Theory, Process and Practice of Visual Arts |
These components assist students in building conceptual and practical skills which can be applied in art, craft, design and related careers in the world of work.
The CSEC Visual Arts Syllabus provides students with a basis for further study, enhances leisure time pursuits and fosters their aesthetic, physical, spiritual, personal and cultural development. The syllabus also focuses on the Caribbean, since there is a pressing need for the people of the region to develop an aesthetic awareness and appreciation of their cultural heritage.
