MEMPHIS COLLEGE OF ART
Professional Practices – TD400 Fall 2011
Thursday 9:00-12:05 RM: DA MEDIA
Dwayne Butcher
dbutcher@mca.edu
Office hours: 20 minutes before and after class and by appointment as needed.
Email is the preferred method of communication.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
To assist students who are preparing to enter the professional arena, this course examines methods for assembling a portfolio for specific applications, writing and designing a resume, cover letter, grant application artist statement and exhibition reviews and interviewing with prospective employers, clients or galleries. Business procedures, artist resources and job-hunting skills are discussed. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Standing or permission of instructor.
r Senior Standing, or permission of instructor
COURSE OUTLINES:
This course is designed to prepare the student for entry into the professional world of fine arts. Development of a portfolio demonstrating a high level of skill and a personal style, as well as the ability to discuss the work in formal and conceptual terms is the primary focus. Additionally, the student will be introduced to a variety of professional practices and develop a familiarity with the local, regional and national scenes. The portfolio contents should demonstrate the student’s versatility and advanced skills while demonstrating consistency in presentation.
This course is broken into 4 course goals:
Portfolio
Professional Skills
Business Practices
Internet Identity
Topics in this course (Subject to changes, additions and subtractions)
1. Learn how to prepare and present a professional portfolio and application for graduate school or open market employment.
2. Learn how to prepare and present a professional portfolio to present to galleries, curators and critics.
3. Learn how to set up a professional studio practice.
4. Learn accepted practices and protocols expected of the artist in the professional art community.
5. Learn the basics of the business of art: bookkeeping and the IRS.
6. Learn the role of art dealers, museum directors, and other art professionals and how to establish and maintain a productive relationship with them.
7. Learn about intellectual property and copyright law and how it affects the practicing artist.
8. Learn how to write press releases and grant proposals.
9. Learn how to prepare for an interview for a graduate or professional position.
10. Learn alternative job possibilities wherein acquired artistic skills can be profitably employed.
11. Learn the value of on-line, portfolio website.
http://td400-mca.blogspot.com is the blog for this class. You will find the syllabus, project assignments, due dates, and helpful links on this site. You are also expected to set up and maintain (regularly update) your own blog for this course. You will post your research and document detailed logs of the procedures used for each assignment. You will keep a list of links to galleries, residencies, artist colonies, opportunities, grants, artists, and anything else that will benefit your research and studio practice. You will also be required to post comments on your classmate’s blogs as a way to continue the discussion and understanding of projects outside of the class.
I will be checking your blogs several times during the week and your participation on the blogs are part of your final grade.
REQUIREMENTS:
This course consists of in-class assignments that require additional out-of-class work.
Each student is expected to complete all the assignments and required readings. During discussion and lectures, students are expected to engage in meaningful classroom participation. Details of the various assignments will be discussed in class. Assignments missing on the scheduled critique day will be penalized one letter grade. No assignments will be accepted more than 3 days late. You will receive a zero on that assignment.
Each week you will be required to write a one-page essay (12 point font, double-spaced, one inch margins) that is to be handed in at the beginning of class. These papers will not be accepted late. These papers will vary in topic and you will have plenty of notice of the topic. Generally, the paper will be a review of the previous weeks workshop, studio visit, gallery visit, or presentations. These one-page essays will be in addition to any other work due for that class.
It is also recommended that you keep a three ring binder of all materials given (sample resumes, cover letters, grant applications, essays, etc.), as well as your own research. This binder will be added to and adjusted for years after you leave school. This cannot just be a folder, but a binder where you can keep organized. Organization is the key.
ATTENDENCE POLICY:
You are expected to be in this class, on time, no exceptions. If you miss two classes you will NOT pass this class. We only meet 15 times this semester. Excessive tardiness both in the mornings and after breaks will be noted and will count as absences. Two tardies = One absence.
If you should encounter personal problems or illness, it is your responsibility to discuss the situation with the instructor.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION:
Please notify me if your disability requires accommodation.
HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
All students are required to observe studio policies for handling and disposal of hazardous materials. Recycle all paper and magazines.
