Research for Practice

3 units

What does it mean to conduct research in the often-indescribable process of art making? This seminar examines the question in three key ways. First, through presentations, discussions, case studies, and readings, it explores a diverse array of artistic strategies and methodologies artists use to engage with content, including collaborative practices, archival research, working with data, and processes influenced by non-art fields. Students will consider ways in which their artistic practices constitute and create research and how these processes condition and inform their artistic voice. Second, this seminar builds tools for presenting a distinct voice on behalf of one's work. Specifically, the student is introduced to the way other contemporary practitioners write and talk about their own work -- through published books, chapters, interviews, online materials, and more -- and how this writing differs from both criticism and art historical writing. Each candidate creates their own personal research archive and explores how writing can expand and advance their practice. Third, this seminar prepares students to develop their thesis plan, a map of their final MFA-VA creative work, and their thesis text.