The Curated Cube

A place for managing thoughts about arts and culture-outside the box.

[caravaggista]

Art History: From High School through College

This is an ambitious project that I have wanted to see come to life for a long time, but I haven’t had the time to devote to it. I realized this week that at the core of nearly every question I get is an anxiety about something: what studying art history is like in college; how to become a better art history student (and study it independently); what kind of jobs you can get, and how to get there; or whether or not you should go to grad school. I’ve addressed the first and last of these issues in separate booklets, but everything in between - and everything before one’s studies even begin - has yet to be addressed in a cohesive manner.

Art history is often perceived as a major for dreamers, that is, for those who have no sense of the reality of the marketability of this field of study. This only adds to the anxiety of applying to college, attending college, and graduating. The truth is, you should be prepared to battle with a tough job market, but this problem isn’t limited to this field, and like any field, there are ways to make yourself competitive.

And yet, I don’t just want the result of this project to be a set of “hows” - how to pick a college, become a better student or study art history on your own, find a job with a B.A. - though it will certainly contain these elements.  I envision it as something with a bit more depth, something that you can look to and say “Yes, this is why I want to study art history,” … as something that will help you fight through inevitable encounters with self-doubt and naysayers.

Once I’ve put this guide out into the world, whenever that will be, my hope is that those who want to study art history will find comfort and encouragement in a book(let) that helps make the process just a little bit easier. So, Art History: From High School to College is officially on my mind, being brainstormed, and being written. 

(And maybe one day, I will write a book that combines all of my guides, simply titled The Study of Art History. Thanks for listening.)

[artslant]

15 Curators to Watch in 2015

[artslant]

CRITICISM: Modern Art Sells Clothes or Buy a Cardigan and the Holocaust Painting Is Half Price

"Artworks are inherently commercialized. But there’s nevertheless something cynical about seeing their artwork—and what their artwork represents—displayed as a prop to sell an image of luxury, intellect, or Culture."

[publicartfund]

Public art and architecture meet tomorrow at Columbia University. A conversation with our Associate Curator Andria Hickey, artproductionfund's Doreen Remen and Two Trees Management's Lisa Kim. Tomorrow at 12pm, click here for more info. 

[thecuratedcube]

Early mornings at work at VAM.

[thecuratedcube]

Nuit Blanche 2014 as a Planning assignment. The task was to review the night in terms of planning in arts management. You can't have too many signs to control the crowd. This is GOOD planning.

[thecuratedcube]

As a token of their appreciation for volunteering, Art Toronto gave it's volunteers a copy of the catalogue of the art from the International Art Fair

[thecuratedcube]

A great template to use for potential volunteer manuals. The Toronto International Film Festival relies on hundreds of volunteers throughout the year and during the two week festival.

[thecuratedcube]

Prezi 3: Planning Proposal/ The Gig

[thecuratedcube]

Prezi 2: Marketing in Arts Organizations

Arts Administration and Cultural Management Humber College

[thecuratedcube]

Prezi 1. Corporate Sponsorships

Course: Revenue Development

[thecuratedcube]

My new obsession with Prezi

Learning the inexpensive and efficient presentation program Prezi. An arts administrator's friend indeed.

[moma]

Members receive 20% off during Member Shopping Days, now through December 15. 

[MoMA retail display. Photograph: Martin Seck]

[thecuratedcube]

Why Reflect

  To go beyond acquisition of knowledge, to analyse its meaning

To benefit from work completed and others’ feedback on that work

To find and recognize patterns in order to guide future plans, or to go beyond existing structures

  Adapted from Herteis (2004) and Polegeto (2009)

[thecuratedcube]

Additional Reflection 3.

What remains for me to investigate about arts management, and how do I intend to pursue these areas beyond graduation?

I believe that I have a responsibility to continue to pursuit all aspects of arts management, especially policy after graduation and throughout my career. Policy in general, including government standards, and granting policy and procedures are constantly changing as the rules change by the powers that control those avenues adjust them. It is the job of an administrator to continue educating herself to serve the organization to the best of her ability. Before this course, I was not greatly knowledgeable in the role politics play in organizations and their overall existence. It is something I pay attention to in the news and when I read into an organization's plans and successes. Partnering with politicians and the government is an arts organization's greatest tool in maintaining its existence. 

[thecuratedcube]

Additional Reflection 2.

How does this course fit in with the rest of my experience in the program and the larger framework of my learning?

The Introduction to Arts Administration course was a great way to debrief the learning throughout the other courses. It was a way for people to sort out issues and focus on successes which ultimately created for a better approach to the other courses. I treated the morning Intro class as a business meeting, where colleagues can make for a better organization-in this case our learning.

This course also created the foundation for learning with some of the basics about arts organizations that could be applied to other courses and experiences. For example, the discussions on Arts Education seems to a passion for many students and it is material that I can apply to my pursuits in the AGM through community outreach and programming and the VAM by its ArtReach program. Learning about it, and having the resources to continue educating myself make me confident in participating in the discourse of these programs within these organizations.

[thecuratedcube]

Additional Reflection 1.

What have been my best learning strategies in this course – e.g. around time management, research skills, team work, leading or managing, or other examples derived from previous experience?

My best learning strategy in this course has been team work. I have been accustomed to self learning and solitary work throughout university, for the most part. This program has been valuable in the oppourtunity for group work and sharing knowledge and benefiting from other experience. This has allowed for creative partnerships with people from other interests, such as theatre and music. I feel through learning about other people's passions and their experience through graduate schools or jobs in the field, I have fast tracked my learning. It has allowed me to acknowledge options I want to pursuit, and others I want to avoid.

Also, partner and group work allowed for quick solutions to anything I may have misunderstood. This is efficient learning, and a great way to time manage.  It is true what they say: two heads are better than one. 

Also, I appreciated the time that guest speakers have given to this course and the program as a whole. They have been able to give a direct source of experience of their organization and certain job. For example, the presentation by the Volunteer Coordinators for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)  during the Human Resources course was an impressive example of a large organization that prides itself on its success of volunteer recruitment and overall success. They were professional, insightful, and passionate about their jobs which encourages students to continue their pursuits.