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ART 425 / The Artist in Context Spring
2011 / MW 10:40-12:30 / Lisa Scheer Course Description This
course focuses on developing effective presentation materials with which an
artist contextualizes, articulates, and documents their own creative work.
Course content will include learning how to write an effective artist
statement, digitally document artworks, create on-line portfolios, and
prepare a variety of professional presentation materials such as resumes,
cover letters, and letters of application. The final product of the semester
will be a web portfolio that will include images of each studentÕs work
accompanied by individual work statements, an overall artist statement, and a
resume. Course Objectives Writing
About Art: á
Learn how to write a coherent visual analysis of an individual work
of art leading to the ability to analyze oneÕs own work as a basis for
developing content for artist statements. á
Learn about various types of art writing by studying examples of
other accomplished writings including critical reviews, essays, artist
statements, and art manifestos. á
Learn how to develop a fruitful writing process that includes
effective content development, constructing coherent outlines (thesis
formation and supporting argument) and improving writing through redrafts,
and other self-assessment editing strategies. á
Learn how to write in a clear yet compelling manner focusing on voice
and style. Creating
Effective Portfolios: á
Learn how to photograph artwork and digitally edit and prepare these
photographs for portfolio display. á
Learn how to create a basic web site using Dreamweaver software. á
Learn how to create an effective visual design for a web-based
portfolio. Requirements and
Evaluation Texts
and Course Materials: There are 2 required texts for this class available at the
bookstore (and on-line at
significant discounts) - Writing for the Visual
Arts (Paperback) by Mashey Bernstein (ISBN:
0130225487) - A Short Guide to Writing
About Art (8th Edition) by Sylvan Barnet (ISBN: 0321292480) Everyone
is required to register for on-line software tutorials from Lynda.com (approx
$35 paid directly to Lynda.com) Everyone should have some sort of external
storage device that has at least 1gig of memory (a flash drive is probably
best). Other assigned readings are posted on blackboard as pfd files in the
pdf section. Assignments: The class schedule lists
all assignments w/ due dates and links to assignment pages. You need to refer
to the schedule closely to keep track of what is due when (we will shift from
writing sessions to software sessions throughout the semester). You should
always be taking notes when completing all reading assignments, on-line
tutorials, and class reviews. Have your notebook, all texts, and flash drive
with you for every class. All writing drafts should be turned in as an MS
Word .doc via email unless otherwise noted. Each writing assignment file must
be labeled as instructed (with your last name, assignment abbreviation, and
draft #) Any assignment turned in late will be lowered one letter grade.
Completing assigned on-line software tutorial means using the exercise files
unless the schedule lists them as a quick review. Attendance
and Class Participation: Two absences will be allowed.
Each additional absence will lower your final grade by one quarter a
letter (2.5 points). Grading: The final grade for
the class will be calculated on the following assignments: A self-calculating
excel spreadsheet id available on blackboard. Any act of plagiarism will constitute
failing the class. For writing assignments, grades prior
to final drafts will be evaluated in terms of process whereas final drafts
will be evaluated on the quality of the resulting piece of writing.
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