Professional Practices: Demystifying the Art World
Course Description
Summary
This seminar course will address and explore why there is no clear or singular path to becoming an artist and offer students tools to navigate shaping their artistic path from an empowered position. Investigating your own artistic practice via writing, discussion, and research is central to this course. As such, this course is geared towards 7th and 8th term Visual Arts students (working in any medium) interested in pursuing a creative life as a practicing artist after graduation.
Together we will tackle the practical aspects and issues of continuing to create art after graduation alongside a critical introduction to the political, economic, and cultural structures that shape the contemporary art world. In class time may include some combination of lectures, discussions, visits/presentations from art world professionals and artists at different stages of their careers, and/or field trip to artist studios.
Course work and homework may include readings, watching videos/films, written responses to materials presented, research projects/research presentations, and the development and refinement of materials needed to apply to opportunities after graduating such as: artist statement, artist bio, portfolio, project/grant proposal etc.
Learning Outcomes
- develop a critical understanding of the contemporary art world/its institutions as a political, economic, and cultural system with specific motivations and histories
- develop writing skills to successfully create project proposals, artist statements, artist bios, etc...
- learn how to research contemporary (living) artists, institutions, and opportunities
- articulate verbally and through writing a position for their artistic work within (or against) art history and contemporary art dialogues through research projects
- conceptualize your creative life outside of an academic institution
Prerequisites
With permission of Instructor. Preference given to 7th and 8th term students with a Plan focused in Visual Arts. 6th term students will be considered.
To be considered for enrollment students must complete this form (TBD) by TBD.
Please contact the faculty member : beverlyacha@bennington.edu