BSA’s Art Merit Badge - Ridge Light Ranch

Boy Scouts of America (aka BSA or Scouting) has an art merit badge! I love teaching art, but I know not everyone has access to a local teacher for a merit badge counselor. I also know that professional artists might not have all the detailed information to teach this merit badge, since it delves into a wide variety of 2D media and careers. So, I’m laying it all out here for you!

If you’re a Scout looking for the answers, here they are- although you’ll need to transform them into your own words.

If you’re a merit badge counselor looking for some help- here it is!

*While it’s not overtly expressed, it’s good to keep in mind that this merit badge seems to focus on two-dimensional (2D) art. If you’re more interested in 3D Art, Look at the Sculpture merit badge and the Pottery Merit badge!

If you aren’t in Scouts and just want to learn more about art, this will be helpful to you as well!

For all my Scout-related resources, visit my Scouting page.

The Art Merit Badge

1. Discuss the following with your counselor:

a. What art is and what some of the different forms of art are.

Look up the word “art” in a few dictionaries then ask your friends and family how they’d define art. For such a simple word, we have quite a variety of ideas about it!

I like the American Heritage Dictionary’s definition:

“Art: The conscious use of the imagination in the production of objects intended to be contemplated or appreciated as beautiful, as in the arrangement of forms, sounds, or words.”

Art is a way for people to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas through creative activities like drawing, painting, sculpture, or even music and dance. It can take many forms and it helps people communicate emotions or messages that might be hard to put into words. Art is also something we can enjoy by looking at or experiencing, and it often reflects the world around us or something the artist imagines.

b. The importance of art to humankind.

Art is important to humankind because it helps people connect, share ideas, and express emotions in ways that words alone can’t always do. Through art, we learn about different cultures, history, and experiences from all over the world. It also encourages creativity and helps us see things in new ways. Art can make us think, feel inspired, or even bring people together, whether it’s through a beautiful painting, a song, or a public sculpture. Overall, art makes the world more interesting and helps people understand themselves and others better.

c. What art means to you and how art can make you feel.

Think deeply for a few minutes about this! If you get stuck, here’s some more questions to get you going:

When you look at a piece of art (like a painting or sculpture), how do you feel? Do you feel calm, excited, confused, or inspired? Why do you think that is?
Have you ever created art? How did it feel to make something yourself? Were you proud of it, or did it help you express something you were feeling?
Can you think of a time when art made you think differently about something? Maybe it helped you see a different point of view or gave you an idea you hadn’t thought of before.
Why do you think people make art? Do you think it’s just for fun, or is it also a way to share ideas or tell a story?
How does art help you relax or deal with emotions? Have you ever drawn or made something when you were sad, happy, or stressed? Did it help change how you felt?
Is there a type of art (like drawing, painting, music, or movies) that makes you feel good? Why do you think that form of art speaks to you more than others?

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.

These terms, the elements of art, are pretty standard in art education. They are the tools we use to make art- especially visual art. (I’ll define them for you here in the order I like.) Looking to go deeper? Check out this blog post and podcast episode all about the elements of art!

Line: the path created when a dot moves from one point to another
Shape: the enclosed space that occurs when a line connects to itself or another line
Form: the three-dimensions of an object that take up space
Space: the area around and within the subject
Color: the reflections of light varying in Hue, Value, and Intensity
Value: the light-to-dark gradient of a color you create by adding white or black
Texture: the actual, or appearance of, three-dimensional raised areas

3. Discuss with your counselor the six principles of design: rhythm, balance, proportion, variety, emphasis, and unity.

Again, these terms are fairly common in the world of art education. They are the ways the Elements of Art are used in a work of art. As you gain an understanding of each, trying to find examples of it in works of art. Looking to go deeper? Check out this blog post and podcast episode all about the Principles of Design.

Rhythm: the use of pattern and repetition to create a visual tempo
Balance: the equal arrangement of visual weight on each side of the work of art
Proportion: the relationship between the sizes of different parts of a work of art to create a sense of harmony or emphasis.
Variety: the use of dissimilar Elements of Art
Emphasis: the creation of a dominate visual area to which the eye is drawn
Unity- the harmony of the whole work of art

I would add these as well:

Contrast: the use of opposite Elements of Art together to create interest
Movement: the visual path the eye is drawn to follow

4. Render a subject of your choice in FOUR of these ways:

Pen and ink, Watercolors, Pencil, Pastels, Oil paints, Tempera, Acrylics, Charcoal, Computer drawing or painting

I also tell Scouts to ask if there’s another 2D media they want to use that’s not on the list (eg. Colored Pencil, Markers…)! Since the ones listed are all 2D media, I just ask them to keep it to 2D media.

Notice that they are asking you to render the SAME subject in 4 ways, not 4 different subjects…

5. Do ONE of the following:

Make sure you do each item listed under each choice!

a. Design something useful. Make a sketch or model of your design. With your counselor’s approval, create a promotional piece for the item using a picture or pictures.

Note that you don’t have to make the actual item- just draw up or model the design! Then create some marketing phamlet or something similar for it.

b. Tell a story with a picture or pictures or using a 3-D rendering.

Norman Rockwell was famous for telling a whole story with one picture! And did you know that he drew many of the early Boy Scout illustrations?

c. Design a logo. Share your design with your counselor. Explain the significance of your logo. Then, with your parent’s permission and your counselor’s approval, put your logo on Scout equipment, furniture, ceramics, or fabric. (This can be as simple as drawing it on something with a marker!)

Want to take it further? Have your logo printed on magnets or stickers! I happen to love StickerMule. It’s where I order most of my magnets and stickers printed. If you use my referral link you should get a $10 store credit! The best way to order a small batch from Sticker Mule is to order “samples.” Also, if you sign up for their emails or texts, they send really awesome coupons!

6. 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.

There are probably many different choices for this nearby. Which type interests you most? Of course, you’re welcome to visit more than one!

7. Find out about three career opportunities in art. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

Here are a few career opportunities in the field of 2D art that you might want to explore deeper:

Graphic Designer: Create visual concepts for branding, advertisements, and digital platforms like websites and apps.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or related field.
- Training/Experience: Experience with design software (Adobe Suite), internships, and a strong portfolio.
Illustrator: Produce illustrations for books, magazines, packaging, or digital media.
- Education: Bachelor’s in Illustration, Fine Arts, or a related field (optional but helpful).
- Training/Experience: Strong drawing skills, digital illustration software knowledge, and an impressive portfolio.
Animator (2D): Design and create animated content for TV, movies, video games, or online media.
- Education: Bachelor’s in Animation or Fine Arts.
- Training/Experience: Proficiency in animation software (like Toon Boom or Adobe Animate), internships, and work on short projects or animations.
Art Therapist: Use art techniques to help clients express emotions and improve mental health.
- Education: Master’s degree in Art Therapy.
- Training/Experience: Art therapy certification, clinical internships, and supervised experience.
Fashion Designer: Design clothing, accessories, or footwear by sketching ideas and working with patterns.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a related field.
- Training/Experience: Sketching and pattern-making skills, internships, and experience in a design house.
Tattoo Artist: Design and apply permanent artwork on clients’ skin using a tattoo machine.
- Education: No formal degree required, but an apprenticeship is essential.
- Training/Experience: Apprenticeship under a licensed tattoo artist, practice on artificial skin, and building a portfolio of tattoo work.
Printmaker: Create artwork through printmaking processes like screen printing, etching, or lithography.
- Education: Bachelor’s in Fine Arts or Printmaking (optional).
- Training/Experience: Hands-on workshops, experience in print studios, and an impressive body of work.
Museum or Gallery Curator: Manage and organize exhibitions of 2D art, selecting works and coordinating displays.
- Education: Master’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or a related field.
- Training/Experience: Internships in museums or galleries, strong understanding of art history, and experience organizing exhibitions.
Art Director: Lead the visual style and design for projects in industries like film, advertising, or publishing.
- Education: Bachelor’s in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, or a related field.
- Training/Experience: Extensive experience in design, strong leadership skills, and a developed portfolio showcasing creative projects.
Illustrative Medical or Scientific Artist: Create accurate illustrations of the human body, animals, or plants for textbooks, medical journals, or exhibits.
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Medical Illustration or Biological Arts.
- Training/Experience: Specialized training in anatomy, biology, and drawing, along with internships in medical or scientific environments.

That’s it! I hope you have a lot of fun completing this merit badge! If you notice anything I should add or revise, please let me know.

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