Art Merit Badge Pamphlet Art Merit Badge

Art


Requirements were REVISED effective January 1, 2014
(A new pamphlet with these revisions was issued during 2013).

New text is in bold GREEN underlined Serif text like this sentence.
Deleted portions are struck through RED italic text like this sentence.

To see the requirements, without the changes highlighted, Click here.

For the previous requirements, Click here.


  1. Discuss the following with your counselor:
    1. What art is and what some of the different forms of art are
    2. The importance of art to humankind
    3. What art means to you and how art can make you feel
    Tell a story with a picture or pictures or using a 3-D rendering.
  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.
    Do ONE of the following.
    1. Design something useful. Make a sketch or model of your design and get your counselor's approval before you proceed. Then create a promotional piece for the item using a picture or pictures.
    2. Design a logo. Share your design with your counselor and 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.
  3. Discuss with your counselor the six principles of design: rhythm, balance, proportion, variety, emphasis, and unity.
  4. 3. Render a subject of your choice in FOUR of these ways:
    1. Pen and ink,
    2. Watercolors,
    3. Pencil,
    4. Pastels,
    5. Oil paints,
    6. Tempera,
    7. Acrylics,
    8. Charcoal
    9. Computer drawing or painting
  5. Do ONE of the following:
    1. 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.
    2. Tell a story with a picture or pictures or using a 3-D rendering.
    3. Design a logo. Share your design with your counselor and 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.
  6. 4. 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.
  7. 5. 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.

BSA Advancement ID#: 21
Requirements last updated in: 2013
Pamphlet Publication Number: 35858
Pamphlet Stock (SKU) Number: 616348
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2013

Worksheets for use in working on these requirements: Format
Word Format PDF Format

Blanks in this worksheets table appear when we do not have a worksheet for the badge that includes these requirements.


Page updated on: November 18, 2021



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