Art Merit Badge
Seven requirements. Three are discussions of what art is, its elements and the principles of design. The making is requirement 4, one subject in four media, and requirement 5, one of three projects. Requirement 6 is a visit that needs permission and approval first.
The plan behind this
Three discussions, two pieces of making, one visit
Requirements 1, 2, 3 and 7 are discussions with your counselor. Requirement 2 asks you to show examples of each of the seven elements of art, so bring them.
| requirement | what it needs | why it takes arranging |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | one subject, rendered in four of nine media | the materials for four media |
| 5 (one of three) | a design, a picture story, or a logo | two routes need your counselor's approval part way |
| 6 | a museum, exhibit, gallery, artists' co-op or workshop | your parent or guardian's permission and your counselor's approval, before you go |
Requirement 4: one subject, four ways
The nine media are pen and ink, watercolors, pencil, pastels, oil paints, tempera, acrylics, charcoal, and computer drawing or painting. The requirement is a subject of your choice rendered in four of them. Choose the four by what you can get hold of: pencil, pen and ink, and computer drawing need very little.
Requirement 5: do ONE of three
| route | what it needs |
|---|---|
| 5(a) design something useful | a sketch or model, then with your counselor's approval a promotional piece using pictures |
| 5(b) tell a story | a picture or pictures, or a 3-D rendering |
| 5(c) design a logo | share and explain it, then with permission and approval put it on Scout equipment, furniture, ceramics or fabric |
What this page is
The Art merit badge, drawn so the materials for requirement 4, the approvals inside requirement 5 and the permission for the visit in requirement 6 stand out from the discussions around them. It is not a copy of the requirements: each step is a short label with a link to the official requirements, which are what actually governs and which change from year to year. The free official pamphlet is the fuller guide.
Sources for this page
- Art Merit Badge Requirements, Merit Badge Hub, last modified 2025-09-19 · The requirements themselves, and the free official pamphlet linked from them.
- Guide to Advancement, 2025, Section 7.0.0.3 · The process every merit badge is earned through, which this page does not repeat.
- Guide to Advancement, 2025, Section 7.0.4.3 · Which version of a changed requirement applies to a Scout who has already started.
- Guide to Advancement, 2025, Section 4.0.0.1 · Why the requirements are not in the Guide to Advancement and are expected to change annually.
Last checked against its sources on .