Visual Studies Emphasis Curriculum Resource Statement
1. Library Resources
A. Unit’s Evaluation
Discuss the extent to which this course relies on library resources.
The New Emphasis requires current and historic literature on public art, service learning, city planning, community-base art, installation, site specific art, new media, video art, sound art, performance art, digital media, curating, art criticism and theoretical and critical texts on media, images, and visual culture as well as the history of art.
Effective teaching in Time Studio is best done with a collection of work samples especially in works that include video and audio.
Evaluate the present adequacy of the library holdings relevant to this course. What additional materials are needed?
The current books in the collection are adequate in these areas. Periodical access is appropriate. These fields are under theoretical development so continuous acquisition is important for the texts as they are published. Keeping up with this literature is within the existing library budget of the Department of Art and Design.
An investment (by the Library or Department of Art and Design) in a small collection of works that include video and audio could be acquired for $2,500.
Another area of future development for the Curatorial Studio is the acquisition of exhibition catalogues and publications. These often don't show up in the same sources as academic texts.
2. Equipment Resources
Discuss what non-computer equipment would be required for this course and whether the available equipment is satisfactory. If additional equipment is required, describe it, and estimate its costs.
All of the studios use standard art materials, along with digital input and storage devices. Much of this is standard consumer level equipment which many Art and Design Students have.
Access to the fabrication and digital print shops in the Art Department for work in the department is adequate. Many of these Studios require no special equipment. It might be necessary to put together a portable set of tools for Curatorial and Space Studios for work away from the department ($300).
Audio and Video input devices would be necessary for courses involving digital media the course. Such equipment is not needed for all students concurrently. An initial acquisition of microphones, video cameras, and portable storage devices would need to happen. This would happen at the department level. ($10,000)
Occasionally the department would need to acquire special digital equipment such as printers or digital cameras. The department currently has such equipment.
Previous offerings of Civic Studio have resulted in the gathering of an adequate set of appropriate hand tools, electronic equipment, construction of furniture, for the special demands of situated learning. These items and furniture designed and constructed by the studio are housed and transported in a converted pop-up camper.
3. Classroom Resources
Describe the type of classroom required for this course.
Space, Interactive, Image, and Time Studios can be taught in a general studio classroom or in sculpture studio space. Calder Art Center Room 1718 is suitable space and could accommodate one or two New Emphasis studios per semester. Space for temporary implementation of projects can be arranged for on campus as well as off-campus. Proper coordination with appropriate officials is part of the course. Curatorial Studio might also meet at local venues for the presentation of visual art and/or implement projects in GVSU gallery spaces.
Civic Studio takes place in various off-campus facilities that are secured under special arrangements. The course has been developed with support of the GVSU Johnson Center for Philanthropy. Grants support facility rental and project and public program costs. Ongoing support from the Center for Philanthropy makes the continuation of the project possible. Without these grants the project would be more constrained to take place in existing, shared or donated facilities.
Spaces for projects off campus are secured with the support and coordination of the University Council's office (lease negotiations and language) and the Facilities Services Department who inspect and advise on possible sites. This process has been developed with the CIvic Studio and is usable for Space Studio and other projects.
4. Computer Resources
A. Unit’s Evaluation
Discuss the extent to which this program or course relies on computers and related resources.
Approximately 1/2 of Time, Interactive, and Image Studio courses involve intensive computer work. This includes standard professional and consumer level programs in image-making, web design, and audio and video editing as well as Iview Multimedia to manage and organize resources. Image database programs will be used on over the internet and possibly databases on individual machines.
Civic Studio makes extensive use of obsolete computer resources. We have made good use of resources taken out of service by the University. Some older Art and Design department computers are used and the Studio has acquired a high-end printer and networking equipment (wireless and ethernet). Increasingly students bring there own portable computers for use in the studio. Information Technology staff have been very helpful with technical advise. AV services has been helpful as well with equipment for public presentations.
Older university computers and projectors are of use when such technology is part of the actual project. The Department of Art has some of this equipment.
Increasingly students bring their own portable computers for use in the studio. Older machines are also put into use as servers for database and network uses.
Evaluate the present adequacy of the University’s computer resources relevant to this program or course. What additional equipment is needed?
All labs in Calder and Lake Ontario Hall have the appropriate software and hardware. Software necessary for any of these courses can be accessed in any of the University Labs in Calder Art Center or Lake Ontario Halls. Various additional software is not essential at this time, but may be useful in the future. These can be managed through the Department of Art and Design and the New Emphasis in cooperation with Information Technology. Image, Time, and Interactive Studios would need to have Lab time scheduled, although increasingly students are acquiring and using their own portable equipment. All majors in the New Emphasis will be directed to retain adequate portable equipment.
Continued access to older equipment makes it possible to develop new uses of technologies in studio projects. Especially recently out-of-service computers and data projectors. Continued access to older computers for servers. Additional ethernet connections might be necessary in the future.
5. Budget Impact
Describe how the total resource needs (including faculty) for this course will affect the Unit’s budget.
Offering Civic Studio and Image Studio are in the ongoing plan for the department.
The civic studio is projected to cost $5,000 per instance. This is included in the projected budget as a program cost. However, it has been consistently offset by grants from the GVSU Johnson Center for Philanthropy. We expect our relationship with the Center to continue but have included to amount in the budget. Also, the course is projected to run every 3rd semester so the budget amounts lower by $5,000 every 3rd year. (See our budget for the whole Visual Studies emphasis).
The department has current Faculty with expertise in Space, Image, Civic, and Curatorial Studios.
To adequately teach Time and Interactive Studios, the department needs to add Faculty with expertise in the areas addressed in these courses. Having permanent faculty with expertise in these technologies in the department would be an important asset. There are attendant co-curricular responsibilities necessary to effective integration of these technologies in the mix of studio work in Art and Design which require faculty in the Department with these abilities.
Additional resources already exist in the Department and University. An initial $13,000 would serve to establish the area with various technical and programmatic necessities. Subsequent area budgets from the Department would be on the low end of other emphasis areas at $3,000 per year.
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