Professional Art

The Contemporary Art and Practice Creative Inquiry project, led by Joey Manson in the Department of Art, offers art majors the opportunity to experience the real-life of a professional artist. The team focuses on student development, career preparation for professional artistry, and the nuts and bolts of art galleries—all to help students excel as professionals after college.

Not only do the Creative Inquiry students explore the post-graduation potential of an artist, but they also prepare for it. The team members collaborate and support each other to improve their artist statements, biographies, resumes, websites and interview skills. To enhance their career preparations, the team travels to New York City to visit galleries and museums, for exposure to the real world of professional art.

The Creative Inquiry project travels to New York every year. While in New York City the team tours several prestigious art museums, as well as experiences street art and performers. The students curate an agenda reflective of their particular areas of expertise in order to visit specific works of art and temporary art showings, known as “pop-ups,” throughout the city. This year during their visit, Sarah Gassman, a senior art major with a painting emphasis, visited a painting by her favorite artist, Lisa Yuskavage. Since inspiration is of central importance to the success and growth of artists, being in New York City, amid some of the United States’ most famous art museums and modern street art, gives these young artists to receive enough inspiration to last a lifetime.

After the trip, students reflect on their experience and often find a change in perspective, a broadened perspective of careers in fine art. Manson ensures that the students leave the Creative Inquiry project with the advice and experience they need to succeed in the art industry. “Getting to know and learn what artists do and what criteria they have to meet is helpful for the business side of art,” Sydney Bruce, a senior art major with a photography emphasis, says. On the creative side, the new inspiration gives students an even deeper passion than they had before.

Pursuing a professional career in art can be difficult in terms of gaining recognition, but these students are equipped to market their niche to its maximum potential. Through the Contemporary Art and Practice Creative Inquiry project students gain all of the tools they need to professionally and creatively thrive in the art world.