ART 431 - Capstone 2: Professional Practices in Art

Credit Hours: 4
Frequency of Offering: Offered annually in the spring semester

Capstone 2 focuses on contemporary art issues in the context of a student’s studio artwork & interests in tandem with a broad exploration of diverse career and professional development in the arts. This course prioritizes contemporary art research, self-reflection, and documentation of a student’s creative art practice completed in Capstone 1 and other self-generated art works. Based on studio art-making completed in previous or other concurrent ART courses, this course does not require or expect the creation of new art works. The seminar is collaborative and cooperative, with topics, activities, and discussions geared to prepare for life and career after graduation. Students will learn to identify and articulate how the skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences gained in the Capstone 1 and 2 are relevant to their career goals and professional growth. Capstone 2 culminates with a poster presentation with related web-based documentation, and the delivery of a coherent and creative oral presentation that explains, documents and contextualizes the student’s creative practice. Seminar activities focus on the practical application of short-term and long-term career goals and planning to include; photographic and written documentation of art works, development of written artist statements, understanding of intellectual property rights and the business of art, preparation of resumés and cover letters, portfolio development for careers in diverse art-related fields appropriate to exhibitions, websites, online registries, grants and residencies, internships, jobs, graduate school, and other arts opportunities including how to create artist communities at the College and after graduation. Invited seminar speakers include SMCM faculty, visiting artists and critics, representatives from graduate programs, and SMCM alumni working in the arts in many capacities to include some or all of the following; art education, marketing and communication design, nonprofit and for-profit arts organizations, museums, alternative spaces and galleries, self-owned businesses in art, and public and private commission work.

Prerequisite(s) or Co-requisite(s): ART 430 - Capstone 1: Creative Practices in Art with a C- or higher.