Course Description:
Designed for Studio Art Majors in the fall semester of their senior year, this professional practices course explores the written materials, skills, qualifications, and strategies necessary for beginning a career in the wide-ranging creative field. The course will orient students around the skill-sets they possess and have acquired through their studies as the launching point for creating a professional portfolio that will include an articulate artist statement, developed professional resume, photo documentation of artistic work, and public platform.
The course combines readings, guest lecturers, writing, the coordination of an exhibition, contemporary presentation modes for artwork, and an artist talk to engage students in the diverse professional possibilities in the art world. An overarching goal is to clarify students’ creative assets, cultivate the professional skills essential to pursuing a vocation, and orient them toward a fulfulling and productive livelihood.
Course Structure:
The course meets once per week on Thursdays at 2:00pm, and as such, each class in critical. Just as the topic suggests, this course focuses on professionalism which starts with arriving to class on time, every time, and meeting deadlines as listed in the schedule and/or announced in class. There will be two-to-three hours of work required outside of class each week.
Grading: Two unexcused absences will automatically drop the grade a letter. Students who have more than three unexcused absences will not pass the course. Three late arrivals add up to one absence. Graded work for this course will include writing, scheduling and attending three meetings at the UofR Writing Center (one may be exchanged for an appointment at Career Services), taking part in the group exhibition mounted at the end of the semester, documenting art works, creating a digital presentation of works, building and going live with a website, presenting on your work, and a final professional portfolio.
Outcomes:
- An articulate artist statement that has developed over at least three draft forms, been reviewed by peers, a tutor at the Writing Center, the instructor and TA.
- A resume that has been revised no less than three times, reviewed by peers, a tutor at the Writing Center, the instructor and TA. Students will understand the various applications of a resume depending on the audience it is intended for.
- Understanding of how to properly use digital equipment including a camera, light kit, and Photoshop to accurately and favorably document artwork.
- A seven-minute presentation of the student’s creative practice and artwork.
- Practical experience utilizing a set of professional skills including meeting deadlines, following through with obligations, goal-setting, and understanding the value of ones labor.
- A website that reflects the student’s creative voice, displays images and information on their artwork, and offers their professional information.
- A gallery-quality exhibition of work organized by students, shown in AsIs Gallery, with accompanying wall text and publicity materials.
Materials:
Notebook for writing exercises.
Criteria for Grading:
Students will be graded based on:
· Their successful completion of assignments -- 60% (This is divided 60/40 between thoughtfulness and development of content, and quality of execution, respectively)
· Participation -- 30% (Critique and presentations)
· Attendance -- 10%
A – Shows significant evidence of engagement and innovative thought. Completes all assignments, skillfully acquiring and appropriately utilizing new techniques. Actively participates in discussions and brings compelling thoughts and questions to class. Thoughtfully, constructively, and generously engages with other students work (frequent contributor). Is timely, prepared and focused in class, and devotes a significant amount of time outside of class to their creative development.
B – Completes all assignments and shows evidence of experimentation, skill and intention with materials. Participates in discussions and thoughtfully engages with other students work (comments for every classmate). Uses most class time effectively, is timely and prepared, and allocates a fair amount of additional time outside of class to project-development.
C – Completes all assignments but shows little evidence of research. Doesn’t fully utilize demonstrations to process and understand technical skill and is not invested in how to use the process or medium. Hardly participates in discussions and makes little effort to engage with classmates work (under 6 comments for an entire crit-day). Is distracted in class, frequently tardy or absent.
D – Does not finish all assignments and shows no evidence of research. Does not participate in discussions and does not engage with other students work. Negligent of class time, demonstrations, equipment OR studio access.
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