SUMMER STUDIO PROGRAM (SSP @ VCU)

The Summer Studio Program at Virginia Commonwealth University (SSP@VCU) is an 8-week studio-intensive program for artists interested in developing work in a supportive hothouse environment. The program fosters development of professional attitudes and skills with an emphasis on individual investigation. The program provides students with an opportunity for concentrated studio practice at an advanced level within a community of talented and motivated artists. This two-month, non-credit, post-baccalaureate-style residency studio program is appropriate for the artist developing a portfolio for application to graduate school, as well as the artist interested in an opportunity for uninterrupted immersion and development of a studio practice in a challenging and supportive environment.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

• Sculptors, painters and printmakers with undergraduate degrees who want to develop a body of work to serve as a portfolio for application to excellent graduate programs.
• Sculptors, painters and printmakers with undergraduate degrees who are interested in further developing studio work and critical thinking in a creative professional environment.
• Mature independent sculptors, painters and printmakers who wish to participate in critical dialogue in order to push their work to the next level.
• Talented college seniors who are serious students of art.

THE PROGRAM Each week of the program includes group critiques, individual studio visits and a seminar: a focal point for group discussion of contemporary ideas, theory and issues based on readings and events. All if this is in addition to plenty of studio time.

• Group Critiques – 3 hours per week
• Individual Studio Visits – 1 hour per week
• Seminar – 3 hours per week
• Additional workshops on writing about your work, photographing your work and professional practices (including preparing for graduate school, applying for grants and exhibitions, etc.).

Also mixed in the calendar are numerous visiting artist lectures and studio visits, museum and gallery field trips. The last week includes exit reviews by SSP@VCU faculty and a culminating on-campus exhibition of work produced during the program.

2009 SESSION FACULTY Painting + Printmaking: Nigel Rolfe, Senior Tutor, Royal College of Art 

Interview with Rolfe

Sculpture + Extended Media: Michael Jones McKean, Assistant Professor, VCUarts Sculpture Department

michaeljonesmckean.com.

VISITING FACULTY

Significant visiting artists, critics and museum curators visit from New York, Richmond and Washington, D.C. Past visiting speakers and critics include: Daniel Boshkov, Sally Bowring, Vittorio Colaizzi, Bonnie Collura, Christine Gray, Jeannine Harkleroad, Amy Hauft, Elana Herzog, Chris Kasper, Isabella Kirkland, Holly Morrison, Carlton Newton, John Ravenal, Jack Risley, Richard Roth, Erling Sjovold, Heide Trepanier, Gregory Volk, Charlotta Westergren and others.

FACILITIES The departments of Sculpture + Extended Media and Painting & Printmaking occupy a 114,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility. SSP@VCU participants share air-conditioned studios with 24-hour access. Participants have the use of painting studios, printmaking studio, woodshop, metal studio, moldmaking studio, computer lab and video editing facilities. Technical assistance is provided in the printmaking studio, sculpture shops and computer lab.
Click here to view Painting Facilities
Click  here to view Sculpture Faciliies

(Note that the foundry will not be functioning over the summer.)

PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO

• Work full time in their VCU studios for the duration of the program.
• Participate in all seminars, critiques, reviews and events.
• Participate in the exit exhibition (including planning, installation, lighting, etc.)
• Produce photographic documentation of work done during the summer program.
• Complete a written artist’s statement during the last half of the summer to present at the exit interview.

Upon successful completion of all aspects of the program, participants will receive a VCU Summer Studio Program Certificate in the major area of study.

PLEASE NOTE SSP@VCU fosters artistic growth; university credit is not available. While program graduates may apply for admission to VCU’s MFA programs, SSP@VCU is not a portal to admission. Program graduates are encouraged to apply to other schools and universities.

HOUSING Students may elect to stay in the VCU Dormitories. Double dormitory suites accommodate two students per room. The roommates will have access to a small kitchenette and bathroom shared with the neighboring double dormitory suite. http://www.housing.vcu.edu/reshalls/monroepark/grc Students who choose to live in the dorms must provide payment in full when submitting their program fee.

Students may also choose to find housing off campus during the program. Any student electing to stay off campus during the program is responsible for arranging their living situation. Sublets range in price and availability, for a general overview of prices see Craigslist Richmond richmohttp://richmond.craigslist.org/nd.craigslist.org

All students will have wireless internet access on campus and access to the VCU Libraries.

TUITION Program Fee: $4,950
Housing (on campus): $1,275 (double room, includes basic linens)
Checks for the total Program Fee and on campus housing must be received by May 25th. Participants must sign a “Release and Waiver of Liability” form.

A limited number of $1,000 Scholarships will be awarded to students whose work shows exceptional quality. All students are considered for these scholarships during the application process.

TIMELINE Deadline for Application: April 22nd
Early applicants may receive early notification
Notification of Acceptance: May 1st
Program Fee due: May 25th
Program Session: June 7- July 31st 2009
Orientation: June 8 10 am- 12 noon
Exhibition: July 24-29th

APPLICATION PROCEDURE APPLICATION CHECKLIST:

• Eight images of recent work
• If slides: labeled with name, medium + dimensions in a 8.5” x 11” slide sheet
• If jpegs: 1280 x 1024 pixels at 72 dpi, with name written on CD-Rom
• Documentation Script: name, title, medium and dimensions
• Official university transcript
• Two letters of reference
• One-page typed artist’s statement including name, date of birth, address, telephone number and e-mail address.
• Application fee of $25
• Check payable to VCU Painting & Printmaking or VCU Sculpture + Extended Media, as appropriate.

PLEASE NOTE:

• There is no application form.
• Apply EITHER to Sculpture + Extended Media or Painting & Printmaking. If you wish to apply to both departments, submit two separate applications and application fees.
• The application and mailing envelope should clearly indicate your preference for Sculpture + Extended Media or Painting & Printmaking. Be sure to label each piece of application material with your name (including slides or CD’s).
• We request proof of health insurance; if you are unable to provide proof of health insurance you will need to sign a release and waiver of liability form.
• The Summer Studio Program is progressive; students using traditional media as well as those who work in electronic media, performance, installation, conceptual and experimental hybrid forms are invited to apply.

SEND APPLICATION TO: SSP@VCU-Sculpture + Extended Media or SSP@VCU - Painting & Printmaking Virginia Commonwealth University 1000 W. Broad Street PO Box 842016 Richmond VA 23284-2016

APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 22, 2009 Complete applications must reach VCU by this date.

Some observations by former participants:

“The more time passes, the more I realize the significance this program had (and hopefully will continue to have) on my life as an artist... It is truly a transformative process.”

“The instructors and faculty were absolutely wonderful in every way for me. The facilities are fantastic, the space was perfect.”

“I feel this program has met my expectations as an accelerated gradate style program. In some aspects it has exceeded my expectations with the introduction to critical theory and the encouragement from all of the faculty.”

“The instructors and visiting artists were great & I will leave VCU feeling like I have a better understanding of the contemporary art world and how my work can fit into it. I came to VCU hoping that I would leave with a new direction for my work & the program challenged me enough to catalyze that change.”

ABOUT RICHMOND VIRGINIA http://www.visit.richmond.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Virginia

QUESTIONS? Contact: Andrew Kozlowski, Director Summer Studio Program: call 804.827.1574 or email kozlowskiap@vcu.edu