Art Merit Badge

Introduction

The Art Merit Badge is a great opportunity for scouts to explore their creativity and learn new skills. Through this merit badge, scouts will learn about different art forms and techniques, as well as the history and cultural significance of art.

Merit Badge Requirements

1. Do the following:
1. Explain to your counselor the precautions that must be followed for the following:
   • Sharp cutting tools,
   • Electric shock,
   • Reaction to chemicals,
   • Fire hazards,
   • Injury to eyes,
   • Allergies,
   • Dust and fumes, and
   • Repeated or prolonged exposure to noise.
2. Show your counselor that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while working with art materials, including
   • Cuts and scratches,
   • Splinters,
   • Punctures,
   • Inhaled dust or particles,
   • Allergic reactions,
   • Minor skin irritations, and
   • Heat reactions from using materials such as polymer clays, dyes, or paints.
2. Discuss with your counselor the following terms and elements of art: line, value, shape, form, space, color, and texture. Show examples of each element from your own artwork or from other sources.
3. Do the following:
   1. Sketch three views of a single object. Use these sketches to explore the following:
      • Line,
      • Value,
      • Shape,
      • Form, and
      • Space.
   2. Do ONE of the following, and share with your counselor what you have learned:
      • Using a medium of your choice (watercolors, acrylics, tempera, etc.), create a scene that shows depth,
      • Create a sculpture or 3-D object using clay, plaster, wood, metal, or other material.
      • Create a collaborative art piece with a friend or group of friends.
      • With your parent's permission and your counselor's approval, visit a museum, art exhibit, art gallery, artists' co-op, or artist's workshop. Find out about the art displayed or created there. Discuss what you learn with your counselor.
4. Do the following:
   1. Explain how art is a reflection of society.
   2. Choose a current issue and create a piece of art that expresses your opinion on the issue.
   3. Share your artwork with your counselor and explain how it relates to the issue you chose.

Lesson

Hey there, scouts! Are you ready to unleash your inner artist? Let's get started!

First things first, we need to make sure you know how to stay safe while working with art materials. Can you name some precautions you should take when working with sharp cutting tools? How about when working with chemicals?

Now that we've got safety covered, let's talk about the elements of art. Can you name some of them? How do they contribute to a piece of artwork?

For this merit badge, you'll need to create some artwork of your own. Let's start with some sketches. Choose an object and sketch it from three different views. How does the object change when viewed from different angles?

Next, choose one of the following projects: create a scene that shows depth, create a sculpture or 3-D object, create a collaborative art piece, or visit a museum or art exhibit. Which project sounds the most interesting to you?

Finally, let's talk about how art reflects society. Can you think of any examples of art that reflect a particular time period or cultural movement? How can art be used to express opinions on current issues?

Questions

• What are some precautions you should take when working with sharp cutting tools?
• What are the elements of art, and how do they contribute to a piece of artwork?
• What project did you choose to complete for this merit badge, and why?
• Can you think of any examples of art that reflect a particular time period or cultural movement?

Remember, if you have any questions or need help completing this merit badge, don't hesitate to reach out to your merit badge counselor. Good luck!

Schedule

Week	Task
1	Review safety precautions for working with art materials. Sketch an object from three different views.
2	Learn about the elements of art. Create a scene that shows depth or a sculpture/3-D object.
3	Create a collaborative art piece or visit a museum/art exhibit. Discuss how art reflects society.
4	Create a piece of art that expresses your opinion on a current issue. Share your artwork with your merit badge counselor.