Art+Critique: Studio Practice & Critical Studies online course

This course integrates practice and theory to address our concepts of art, how they are transformed and the problems of making art in the broader context of social conflict. The lectures survey the histories and discourses of contemporary art, demystify the art world and provide multiple entry points into critical theory. The syllabus offers a solid background in essential histories and discourses of contemporary art to help artists address questions about their practice and its context: about what art is, how it is judged and how it relates to society.

The course provides regular feedback and peer review to help participants develop, articulate and contextualise their practice. The programme fosters experimentation and collaborative study in a community of peers, and provides practical tools in workshops and group feedback sessions, empowering participants to pursue their practice with confidence.

The course includes:
• A programme of six participatory lectures and reading seminars
• Group tutorials to discuss work-in-progress, followed by peer review and written feedback
• Research and creative practice workshops on the relationship between practice and theory
• Off-site visits to build critical skills and articulate aesthetic judgments
• Writing workshops to develop artists’ statements, curatorial proposals and critical reviews
• Optional one-to-one peer mentoring
• Culminating in a project presentation with a final round of discussions and feedback

By the end of the course participants will have a critical awareness of contemporary art, with a road map and toolbox of methodologies, skills and resources for their continuing practice and the confidence to pursue it independently. The course is open to everyone but it is particularly suited to those who have a background in art and wish to develop their practice and extend their knowledge of contemporary art practices and discourses.

Art + Critique: Critical and Contextual Studies in Art Practice Online/hybrid course
17 Oct 2023 – 5 Mar 2024, Tuesdays 18:30-20:30 BST/GMT+1