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Course Description

Summary

What does it really look like to pursue being a professional artist? What exactly is the "art world"? How does what I am learning in college apply to life afterwards? This seminar course will address and explore why there is no clear or singular path to "becoming an artist" and offer students the tools to navigate shaping their artistic path from an empowered position. Together we will tackle the practical aspects and issues of continuing to create art after graduation alongside a critical investigation of the political, economic, and cultural structures of the contemporary art world. We will explore topics related to the major institutions of the art world such as: commercial galleries, private collectors/collections, non-profit spaces, artist-run spaces, museums, universities/graduate programs, auction houses, grants/public art programs, artist residencies, art publications, and more. This course is geared towards senior Visual Arts students (working in any medium) interested in or genuinely curious about pursuing a creative life as a practicing artist after graduation. This is a fully remote course. In class time will consist of virtual meetings consisting of slideshow presentations/short lectures, discussions, visits/presentations from professionals working in various art world institutions and artists at different stages of their careers, and some asynchronous work. Course work and assignments will consist of 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. Investigating your own artistic practice via writing, discussion, and research is central to this course.