Spring 2012
PHOT 4010.01
© Bill Barrett 2012
SV 254 for class meetings; meet in the gallery for installations and receptions.
Feedback (general opinions, problems, suggestions, etc.) on this hypersyllabus is encouraged! Bookmark this, but don't rely on printing it out. It is very likely that this page will be updated in the course of the semester.
Class description: Students learn all aspects of running a nonprofit photography gallery, including publicity, maintaining a mailing list and web site, hanging and striking shows, having openings. May be repeated once for credit. 3 credits.
Learning Outcomes:
How you're graded (assessment criteria): Your final grade is based on your performance throughout the semester. attendance and active participation count for 20%; your research paper counts for 25%; your reaction papers count for 10%; in-class exercises (e.g., publication design) count for 15%; your work in the gallery (e.g., laying out shows, managing openings) counts for 30%. Doing more than required can earn you extra credit; talk to me outside class if you're interested. This is what grades mean....
Class meetings are on Fridays 1-1:50, except as noted. Please pay special attention to the days when we meet in a different location. You should plan to work on the afternoons of Friday receptions from approximately 4-7:30 pm. Current schedule of shows and opening is at the gallery's web site. Future shows are also listed there. Show are always hung the Saturday afternoon before the first date the show is open, starting at 1 pm, almost always finished by 4. Please note that if you miss a quarter of our scheduled class hours, including the scheduled times for hanging shows and for the receptions, you cannot receive a passing grade for this class.
Week 1 (1/20). Introductions, survey of the gallery and workroom, what will be involved, schedules and expectations. Pass/Fail option is available, but you should declare that you choose that option by the end of the second week of class. TOMORROW: Meet in the gallery at 1:00 to hang the juried show.
Week 2 (1/27). Running an opening: pre-planning, setup (gallery space as well as reception), the opening itself. Details and checklists. Show opening tonight – meet at 4:00 in the gallery.
Week 3 (2/3). Visiting other galleries during the semester, and short (at least two, approximately 1-2 pages each) reaction papers to what you find. Current gallery openings are listed at http://stlopenings.blogspot.com. Some things to consider as you prepare to write a reaction paper:
Here are additional places where you might find information about the St. Louis arts scene, and what they say about themselves. (Do you agree?)
Week 4 (2/10). Meet in the electronic classroom (back of the first floor) in the Emerson Library. Class expectations, continued. The research paper: among the places you might look for ideas is Global Museum, Art Review (free web magazines), and the Center for the Future of Museums. An interesting article on a controversial British photo gallery is here. I know that you won't plagiarize, and here are some resources to help you avoid it. Proposed topic for you research paper is due on 9 March (the class before Spring Break).
Week 5 (2/17). The press release. How to get your message out: hints for success, mistakes to avoid. Local networking, building your audience, effective advertising. The RAC Marketing Toolbox is worth exploring for solid techniques and media contacts.
Week 6 (2/24). Designing publications such as postcards, mini catalog and publicity poster, working with the printer, calculating number needed to print, etc. Meet in computer lab TBA. TOMORROW: Meet in the gallery at 1:00 to hang the next show.
Week 7 (3/2). Guest speaker Stephen Mallon in SV 101 at 3 pm. Show opening tonight – meet at 4:00 in the gallery.
Week 8 (3/9). Networking: working with professional organizations such as the American Association of Museums, the Association of Midwest Museums, the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries, the Women's Caucus for Art and its St. Louis chapter, as well as with photography publications (such as The Photo Review and Photograph) and other photography spaces, such as Blue Sky Gallery in Oregon. Aviso, a monthly publication of the American Association of Museums, is online. Keep in mind that the Emerson Library is building a collection of photo show announcement cards and catalogs; they are in the fourth floor stacks at TR650 Catalog. Joining the "Photo-Jobs" list. Research paper topic due: send by email and I'll confirm that I have them.
Spring break
Week 9 (3/23). Reviewing portfolios, selecting exhibitions, booking shows.
Week 10 (3/30). Maintaining a web site, including scanning and optimizing images, updating pages, checking links. Meet in computer lab SV 205.
TOMORROW: Meet in the gallery at 1:00 to hang the next show.
Week 11 (4/6). Jurying a show: what's involved, how can you be more successful? Outline of research paper topic due: send by email and I'll confirm receipt.
Week 12 (4/13). Field trip to Bruno David Gallery, a commercial gallery in the Grand Center (3721 Washington Blvd. 63108). I'll be in the driveway between Sverdrup and the Art Dept. at 12:30 if you need a ride; if you want to come with me, please email me so I know! Show opening tonight – meet at 4:00 in the gallery.
Week 13. (4/20). Field trip to the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park. We'll meet with Eric Lutz, curator of the current major show, An Orchestrated Vision: The Theater of Contemporary Photography. I'll be in the driveway between Sverdrup and the Art Dept. at 12:30 if you need a ride; if you want to come with me, please email me so I know!
Week 14 (4/27). Guest speaker: Budgeting and grant seeking.
Week 15 (5/4). TOMORROW: Meet in the gallery at 1:00 to hang the next show.
Week 16 (5/11). Issuing Calls for Work: what to look for, what to avoid, how to find them and how to issue your own. Some places to look for them include:
Assessment instrument. Show opening tonight – meet at 4:00 in the gallery.