YourStateStandards

Montana K–6 visual art standards

Montana writes its own visual art standards. They are published as Montana Content Standards for the Arts (2016), adopted 2016 and are not a version of a national framework. 73 of 77 are matched to a national standard.

Framework
Montana Content Standards for the Arts (2016)
Adopted
2016
Source last checked
July 25, 2026
Read the official document

77 standards, kindergarten through 6th grade

  • VA.K.1K
    engage in creative play with art materials
  • VA.K.2K
    create artworks or designs that represent natural and constructed objects
  • VA.K.3K
    explain the artistic process while making artworks
  • VA.K.4K
    choose art objects for a personal portfolio and display
  • VA.K.5K
    explain the purpose of a portfolio or collection
  • VA.K.6K
    explain the purpose of an art museum
  • VA.K.7K
    identify uses of artwork within one's personal environment
  • VA.K.8K
    identify subject matter and details in artworks
  • VA.K.9K
    explain reasons for selecting a preferred artwork
  • VA.K.10K
    create art that tells a story about a personal experience
  • VA.K.11K
    identify a purpose of an artwork.
  • VA.1.11
    engage and collaborate in creative investigation of art materials
  • VA.1.21
    create artwork that identifies uses of everyday objects
  • VA.1.31
    use art vocabulary to describe choices while creating art
  • VA.1.41
    explain why objects, artifacts, and artwork are valued differently by different audiences
  • VA.1.51
    identify how artwork should be prepared for a presentation
  • VA.1.61
    identify the roles and responsibilities of people who visit and work in museums
  • VA.1.71
    select and describe artworks that illustrate daily life comparing different images that represent the same subject
  • VA.1.81
    describe characteristics of artworks
  • VA.1.91
    classify artwork based on reasons for preferences
  • VA.1.101
    identify reasons to create art outside of school
  • VA.1.111
    describe the reasons that people from different places and times create artwork.
  • VA.2.12
    discover multiple approaches and solutions to an art or design problem
  • VA.2.22
    demonstrate personal interest in an artwork or design using various materials, tools, and everyday objects
  • VA.2.32
    discuss choices made in creating artwork
  • VA.2.42
    categorize artwork based on a theme or concept for an exhibit
  • VA.2.52
    describe different materials or artistic techniques for preparing artwork for presentation
  • VA.2.62
    describe how exhibited art, in a variety of venues, contributes to communities
  • VA.2.72
    describe aesthetic characteristics of the natural world and constructed environments based on expressive properties
  • VA.2.82
    describe the mood suggested by an artwork
  • VA.2.92
    use art vocabulary to express preferences about artwork
  • VA.2.102
    create artworks about events in home, school, or community life
  • VA.2.112
    discuss cultural uses of artwork from different times and places.
  • VA.3.13
    apply knowledge of available resources to enhance personal ideas through the art-making process
  • VA.3.23
    create artwork using a variety of artistic processes and materials
  • VA.3.33
    elaborate on artwork by adding details to enhance meaning
  • VA.3.43
    research and discuss the possibilities and limitations of physical and digital spaces for exhibiting artwork
  • VA.3.53
    prepare artworks for presentation
  • VA.3.63
    explain how and where different cultures record and illustrate stories and history of life through art
  • VA.3.73
    identify processes an artist uses to create artwork
  • VA.3.83
    discuss the use of media to create subject matter, form, and mood in artwork
  • VA.3.93
    evaluate artwork based on criteria
  • VA.3.103
    develop artwork based on observations and details of surroundings
  • VA.3.113
    compare how responses to art change based on knowledge of the artwork's cultural and historical context.
  • VA.4.14
    collaborate on multiple approaches to a creative art or design problem and develop a plan from concept to completion for an artwork
  • VA.4.24
    apply research to art-making for the purpose of communicating about constructed environments
  • VA.4.34
    revise artwork on the basis of insights gained through discussion
  • VA.4.44
    describe how past, present, and emerging technologies impact the preservation and presentation of artwork
  • VA.4.54
    analyze considerations for presenting and protecting artworks
  • VA.4.64
    compare purposes of art museums, art galleries, and other venues with the types of experiences they provide
  • VA.4.74
    compare components of visual imagery
  • VA.4.84
    analyze subject matter, form, and use of media in artwork
  • VA.4.94
    apply criteria to analyze artworks
  • VA.4.104
    create artworks that reflect community cultural traditions
  • VA.4.114
    interpret artworks through observation and information about context.
  • VA.5.15
    combine diverse concepts and artistic methods to choose an approach and create an artwork
  • VA.5.25
    create artworks that document places or objects of personal significance
  • VA.5.35
    create artist statements using art vocabulary to describe personal choices in art-making
  • VA.5.45
    explain the role of a curator
  • VA.5.55
    discuss responsible and effective use of materials and techniques for preparing, presenting, and preserving artwork
  • VA.5.65
    cite evidence to explain how an exhibition presents ideas and provides information about a specific concept or topic
  • VA.5.75
    compare personal interpretations of artwork to others' interpretations
  • VA.5.85
    analyze use of structure, context, and visual elements to convey ideas and mood in artworks
  • VA.5.95
    evaluate artworks based on styles, genres, and media
  • VA.5.105
    apply formal and conceptual knowledge of art and design to make artwork
  • VA.5.115
    identify how artworks are used to inform or change beliefs, values, or behaviors of an individual or society.
  • VA.6.16
    design project steps and criteria to reach an identified goal and investigate personally relevant content for art-making
  • VA.6.26
    demonstrate awareness of issues and ethics of appropriation as they create artworks and design
  • VA.6.36
    apply criteria to plan revisions for artwork or design
  • VA.6.46
    compare similarities and differences associated with preserving and presenting two- dimensional, three-dimensional, and digital artwork
  • VA.6.56
    evaluate methods for preparing and presenting artwork based on criteria
  • VA.6.66
    explain and cite evidence about how exhibits reflect history and values of a community
  • VA.6.76
    explain how a person's aesthetic choices are influenced by culture and environment
  • VA.6.86
    collaborate to interpret artworks
  • VA.6.96
    develop criteria to evaluate artwork
  • VA.6.106
    use art to express ideas and current interests
  • VA.6.116
    distinguish different ways that artworks represent, establish, reinforce, and reflect group identity.

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