cultural and creative arts

BECE CULTURAL & CREATIVE ARTS (CCA) NOTES

These notes cover all topics, sub-topics, and sub-sub-topics in the BECE Cultural & Creative Arts syllabus. They are arranged clearly for study, revision, and examination preparation.

THEME 1: ART AND CRAFTS

1. ARTS

I. Introduction to Arts

• Definition of Arts

  • Arts are creative activities through which ideas, feelings, and experiences are expressed visually or physically.

• History and Origin of Arts

  • Early Man: Cave drawings, carvings, and body decoration for survival and rituals.

  • Nigerian Arts: Traditional art forms developed from culture, religion, and social life.

• Categories / Types of Arts

  • Textile Design

  • Ceramics

  • Graphic Design

  • Aesthetics (Beautification and Decoration)

  • Sculpture

  • Painting

II. Elements of Design

• Meaning: Basic components used to create artworks.

• Examples:

  • Line

  • Shape

  • Colour

  • Texture

  • Space

  • Form

• Application: Used in drawing, painting, textile design, sculpture, etc.

III. Principles of Design

• Meaning: Rules that guide the arrangement of elements of design.

• Principles:

  • Harmony

  • Variety

  • Balance

  • Proportion

  • Dominance

  • Rhythm

• Uses: Help artworks look attractive and meaningful.

IV. Study of Colours

• Classification of colours (primary, secondary, tertiary)

• Colour mixing

• Sources of local dyes

• Uses of colours

• Colour wheel

V. Nigerian Traditional Arts

• Types: Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Benin

• Places of Origin:

  • Nok – Kaduna State

  • Igbo-Ukwu – Anambra State

  • Ife – Osun State

  • Benin – Edo State

• Functions: Religious, cultural, decorative, historical

VI. Contemporary Nigerian Arts

• Pioneering Artists:

  • Aina Onabolu

  • Akinola Lasekan

  • Ben Enwonwu

  • Ladi Kwali

  • Bruce Onabrakpeya

  • Lamidi Fakeye

• Famous Artworks & Locations

• Income generation through art

2. CRAFTS

I. Meaning of Crafts

• Crafts are handmade objects made using skills and tools.

II. Types of Crafts

• Fabric craft

• Paper maché

• Carving

• Woven craft

• Blacksmithing

• Leather craft

III. Materials, Tools & Equipment

• Paper, fabric, clay, wood, calabash, palm fronds

• Tools: scissors, needles, carving tools, looms

IV. Tie and Dye

• Meaning

• Methods: tying, stitching, folding

• Materials & tools

• Dye bath preparation

• Dyeing process

V. Paper Craft

• Meaning

• Materials & tools

• Folding methods

• Paper craft production

• Colour application

VI. Collage

• Meaning

• Materials & tools

• Production methods

VII. Paper Maché

• Meaning

• Preparation process

• Objects made from paper maché

VIII. Bead Works

• Meaning

• Materials (beads, seeds, paper, wood)

• Uses of beads

IX. Mosaics

• Meaning

• Materials & tools

• Uses

X. Painting

• Types: still life, nature, landscape, imaginative, figure

• Use of tones, tints, shapes, lines

XI. Patterns

• Meaning

• Types: repeat, half-drop, mirror, diamond

• Pattern production

XII. Motifs

• Meaning

• Types: plant, floral, animal, geometric, traditional

• Uses

XIII. Lettering

• Meaning

• Types

• Uses

• Construction of A–Z

• Qualities: simplicity, legibility, spacing

XIV. Embroidery

• Meaning

• Materials & tools

• Sources of designs

• Transfer methods

• Stitches

XV. Knitting

• Meaning

• Materials & tools

• Basic stitches

XVI. Crocheting

• Meaning

• Materials & tools

• Crocheting stitches

XVII. Batik

• Meaning

• Materials & tools

• Techniques & processes

XVIII. Packaging

• Meaning

• Package construction

• Design methods

• Functions

XIX. Exhibition & Display

• Meaning

• Exhibition places

• Display techniques

XX. Marketing of Art Works

• Meaning

• Marketing outlets

• Sources of funding

• Marketing methods

THEME 2: PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

1. MUSIC

• Meaning of music

• Elements of music

• Theory and rudiments of music

• Staff, clefs, notes, scales

• Playing the recorder

• Uses and impact of music

• Musical styles and practices

• Ear training and harmony

• Solfa notation

2. DRAMA

• Meaning of drama and theatre

• People in drama

• Functions of drama

• Elements of drama

• Forms of drama

• Origin of drama

• Playwriting

• Director and duties

• Costume and make-up

• Theatre design

• Rehearsal

• Drama for development

• Career opportunities

3. DANCE

• Meaning and origin of dance

• Uses of dance

• Choreography

• Contemporary dance

• Types of dance

• Dance as a career

• Prospects of dance in Nigeria

• Nigerian traditional dances (Bata, Koroso, Ohafia)