Image copyright SVA
This just in to tips: SVA will be the first art school to exhibit at the Miami Art Fairs (Aqua to be specific). Now there’s a press release that inspires so many questions it’s hard to know where to begin. Setting aside the obvious grossness of exploiting recent graduates by entering their work into the marketplace prematurely (four of whom hold BFAs only,) who’s paying for all this? What’s the profit split? And most importantly, since when did institutions start operating as though they were commercial enterprise?
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good questions… but this scenario doesn’t seem that far away given that the cost of tuition of most art schools in this country evinces the immediate commercial interest of running an art institution.
good questions… but this scenario doesn’t seem that far away given that the cost of tuition of most art schools in this country evinces the immediate commercial interest of running an art institution.
I’m in artNOW this year. I’ve only received a BFA. I just got back from France where I participated in the Docks Art Fair. Last year I was in SOFA Chicago, and earlyier this year I was in Art Santa Fe.
More or less, if I were attending a school that got me into a fair durring Art Miami, I would be overjoyed. And lately I’ve been wondering what more a young artist can get from the two years they spend getting their MFA than if they were to spend those two years being an active artist.
Well, what do you think? Does an MFA make you any more legit than actually participating in the many events conveniently provided by the art world?
I’m in artNOW this year. I’ve only received a BFA. I just got back from France where I participated in the Docks Art Fair. Last year I was in SOFA Chicago, and earlyier this year I was in Art Santa Fe.
More or less, if I were attending a school that got me into a fair durring Art Miami, I would be overjoyed. And lately I’ve been wondering what more a young artist can get from the two years they spend getting their MFA than if they were to spend those two years being an active artist.
Well, what do you think? Does an MFA make you any more legit than actually participating in the many events conveniently provided by the art world?
It depends on the artist and the school. If you’re a painter and at Columbia, it will probably do something for you. I got my MFA from Rutgers University, and it did nothing for me.
I think there are other ways an artist can benefit from art schools aside from it getting them into an art fair. It’s important to have that some places exist where art can be made outside of the concerns of the art market. This is not a healthy trend in any way shape or form.
It depends on the artist and the school. If you’re a painter and at Columbia, it will probably do something for you. I got my MFA from Rutgers University, and it did nothing for me.
I think there are other ways an artist can benefit from art schools aside from it getting them into an art fair. It’s important to have that some places exist where art can be made outside of the concerns of the art market. This is not a healthy trend in any way shape or form.
Think of it like a winter internship in reality for the students. Real artists don’t need a degree. Anybody can teach themselves how to paint, sculpt, edit video, etc.
For as much as it disgusts me that the art fairs have permeated the fabric of fine art they are here to stay. Most schools don’t teach the students how to survive much less think for themselves. When speaking of a career in art you cannot discount the business and money side of things. Most grad and undergrads are lost and look to the dealers and curators to advise them. They don’t know much better. Its up to the artists to learn for themselves and Art Basel Miami beach and the 100 other art fairs and events is a one stop shop and mecca wrapped up in 5 days with free drinks to boot.
Young artists – Come to Miami, look at some great art, get some ideas, go to the beach, and make some new friends.
Miami 2007 should not be missed.
Think of it like a winter internship in reality for the students. Real artists don’t need a degree. Anybody can teach themselves how to paint, sculpt, edit video, etc.
For as much as it disgusts me that the art fairs have permeated the fabric of fine art they are here to stay. Most schools don’t teach the students how to survive much less think for themselves. When speaking of a career in art you cannot discount the business and money side of things. Most grad and undergrads are lost and look to the dealers and curators to advise them. They don’t know much better. Its up to the artists to learn for themselves and Art Basel Miami beach and the 100 other art fairs and events is a one stop shop and mecca wrapped up in 5 days with free drinks to boot.
Young artists – Come to Miami, look at some great art, get some ideas, go to the beach, and make some new friends.
Miami 2007 should not be missed.
This also puts any gallery trying to represent these artists in an uncomfortable position. A school’s advertising budget far surpasses smaller galleries’ budgets to promote their programs in the same platform. No commission is taken by the school, and artists have unrealistic expectations when their work sells. The work a gallery puts into promoting an artist is drastically devalued, and the motivation to work through a gallery is basically eliminated. The booth only contextualizes artists amongst their immediate academic peers, no real accomplishment, and there is nothing at stake for anyone involved. It is pretty discouraging to gallery programs who work with emerging artists to say that this aspect of the art market is now directly accessible to anyone willing to pay for their MFA, gallery or no gallery.
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