Artist Scholar: Reflections on Writing and Research is part history, introduction, and discussion for artists and designers entering, graduating, and employed by the contemporary art academy in the United States. The evolution of art education in the university continues to expand in the 21st century as the variables of craft, skill, technique, theory, history and criticism shift and expand as the perspective of arts-based research is introduced into this professionalized environment. Given this context: what can M.F.A. students do to improve their understanding of writing and research without sacrificing their commitment to their studio art process?
Through a series of essays, the text argues for better writing at the M.F.A. level with the purpose of becoming better artists. By contextualizing art practice in the university and providing a foundation for future artist scholarship, it serves as an invitation to artist scholars to push their work further and develop the confidence to situate their art in the university context.
161 pages | 30 halftones | 7 x 9 | © 2012
Art: Art--General Studies
Education: Education--General Studies
Reviews
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Artists and Scholarship
Basic language on research and the arts
Universities and arts research
Playing the cello in a marching band
Artistic scholarship
References
Chapter 2: The Professionalization of the Visual Arts
A history or art education
The foundation of university art departments and the art major
Growth in university education
Origins of the American art department
Intellectualism of art making
Teaching to research
The M.F.A. degree
Art history lends a hand
References
Chapter 3: The Status of Art Scholarship
Research through practice
Going forward with M.F.A. scholarship
Practice-led research
References
Chapter 4: Artists and Writing
Writing and art making
Common graduate writing strategies
Why write?
Writing critically
Writing and higher education
References
Chapter 5: Reflections on Knowledge and Understanding
Art making and understanding
Art practice and new knowledge
Subject-based knowledge
Knowledge and research or understanding and writing
References
Chapter 6: Practicing Reflective Scholarship
An introduction to scholarship
What is a thesis/dissertation writing project?
Purpose
Artistic paradigms and reflective inquiry
Where to begin?
Developing a question
Creative methodologies
Data sources and methods
Analyzing data
Some larger philosophical issues to consider about artistic scholarship
Research paradigms
Critical theory
Paradigms and research
Reflecting on artistic scholarship
Completing a research proposal
References
Chapter 7: Revisiting Writing and Research
Doctoral programs in the visual arts
Writing and research with art-making option
Combined writing and research with final art project
Where are we going with arts research?
Writing and research
References
Appendix A: Putting Writing into Practice
Title of project
Research question
Aim and scope of study
Rationale for inquiry
Objectives to be covered
Context
Methodology and procedure for inquiry
Potential outcomes
Bibliography
References
Appendix B: Banksy Hearts NY
Preface to study
Title
Introduction
Research question
Limits
Methodology and procedure for inquiry
Brief biography
Timeline
Literature review
Cultural atmosphere
Professional influences
Artistic media
Imagery
Location
Irony
Conclusion
References