Course Description
What is research to a visual artist? This course will cover modern research methods as they pertain to the visual arts. Emphasis will be placed on the contemporary application of visual arts research today. Suitable for upper-level undergraduate and graduate studio art students working in any media.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be expected to demonstrate a cohesive
research topic and path throughout the course of the class.
Their work will be more in depth and specific than that required
of undergraduates. Graduate students will present their research
to the entire class. Graduate students will be encouraged to use
thesis subjects as a framework for course assignments.
Athena Title
Artist’s Research Methods
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ARTS 4000E or ARTS 6000E
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The course will address both textual and image-based research practices and is relevant for studio art students. In addition to traditional research skills, emphasis will be placed on the open-endedness of the term research as it applies to visual artists. Course content will revolve heavily around students’ own practice and research skills. Classes will be lecture-based with a heavy lab component. Students will learn how to append metadata to digital images, how to create and edit articles in Wikipedia, etiquette for conducting research visits in museums and special collections, and information and visual literacy. Most importantly they will learn how to apply these skills in an efficient way across a variety of venues. A stated goal of the course is to break down the barriers of access to research collections and tools that will increase students’ success rate in future coursework and careers. Emphasis will be placed on open source online resources.
Topical Outline
1. Demonstrate basic understanding of information hierarchies, including critical information and visual literacy. 2. Understanding that art is information and that art is communicated. Assessing one’s own practice to determine what and how you are communicating to viewers. 3. Familiarity with the various types of art research, including research’s roles in museums, art schools, and studio practices. 4. Analyze and evaluate digital images for source information and image quality. 5. Apply research skills to a variety of projects. 6. Fair Use and Copyright as it applies to visual art practitioners, teachers, and scholars.
Syllabus