Hello I am a year 4 visual arts student and here are some things you can expect when joining SOTA. Firstly, the common misconception that SOTA is really relaxed and SOTA students have the luxury of slacking off is false. You can expect many projects, all assigned to you at the same time (I had 8 projects simultaneously going on at the same time in February alone this year) and time management is really very important. For project work, you’ll usually need an extensive amount of research. Also, there usually is a significant component of the project dependent on creativity and aesthetic appeal, so as far as possible, group with a VA student haha. Though it may not be evident at first in the lower years, SOTA does have homework, and especially if you take accelerated math later on, you can expect to be occupied with at least math homework every night. Oh, and do your homework. Seriously, you’ll regret not doing it when the exams roll around. SOTA hours are also rather long and you can expect to anytime from 4-6 on days when you have art form (especially if it’s your last period). I’m speaking from the perspective of a VA student, though, and other art forms such as dance are far less forgiving, with hours sometimes stretching all the way past 9. These hours and the workload only get worse in the IB years, which I’ve not personally experienced but have heard horror stories about. Also, another common misconception that SOTA is all arts and no academics is false. In fact, I’d say there is a bigger focus on acads than on art. (it is a singaporean school, after all) However, there is an option called ibcc in the IB years for those who are extremely passionate in their art form and would rather spend more time on it.


Oh and for those interested in the VA curriculum, this is what it’s like:
Don’t come to SOTA thinking that you’ll be taught how to draw and paint to perfection. In fact, the only year in which you’ll actually receive any heavy technical guidance and teaching is year 1, and a bit of year 2. For most part, however, you’re on your own. SOTA places a lot of emphasis on developing one’s own style, so most of the people in SOTA retain the style they came in with and develop on it. Oh and if you think that realism = good art = good grades, then you can dispel that thought right away. If you want to score well in SOTA VA (esp from year 3 onwards), then be ready to have a good concept to justify your work. Of course, technical skill is still important, but it’s not everything. And as mentioned above, there is a lot of freedom in VA, and it’s up to you and your desire to improve (and score well) to consult your teachers. DO NOT abuse this freedom however, as you will regret it when you have tons of projects piling up and are forced to turn in shabby work, which will not fare well. Take your projects seriously because you want to get selected for the annual year-by-year showcase, which counts towards LCD. And as a VA student, LCD is VERY precious and less attainable as compared to other art forms. you will have drawing/painting classes every year up to year 3 and either ceramics/sculpture in year 1 and 2 and media art and design in year 3. There are 5 specializations which you can choose from when you get to year 4 : sculpture, painting, design, media art, and ceramics. Note that you may not get your first choice so while it’s good to have an idea of what you want to do, don’t limit yourself to one type of art and appreciate your other classes in the lower years such as ceramics, design etc. Overall, you’ll find your art improving by leaps and bounds and continue to be encouraged by the fact that VA sometimes has a provisional grade haha.

Overall, SOTA is actually pretty fun if you are able to manage your time well. Not everyone maintains this passion for the arts though, and that’s why there’s an option to take double science for IB. Oh and you also have to be prepared to deal with stereotypes (such as SOTA students are dumb and can’t do math and science to save their lives) which are obviously untrue and are very fun to prove incorrect. But yes, enjoy your SOTA experience, study hard, and manage your time well. Hope this answered any questions that anyone might have of what to expect in the lower and mid years. (esp for VA)