Resources: NWSA WARP Syllabus 2017

NWSA: ART1803/WARP

Sections 1 and 2 Tues & Thurs/10:00 am - 2:50 pm Instructors: Lambert & Hudspeth

Room 5217/5219

Course Overview and Objectives

Workshop for Art Research and Practice (WARP) is an intensive, interdisciplinary class required for all incoming freshman and transfer students at New World School of the Arts. WARP is an opportunity to explore the fundamentals of creative problem solving, through the building of techniques in research, processes, and craftsmanship. The course consists of assigned projects, research, writing, presentations, critique, and collaboration. You will keep a visually vibrant sketchbook for notes, preliminary ideas and all manner of information gathering. You will maintain a personal creative blog that will serve as an online portfolio of all completed work. 

Instruction is given through an investigation of various art-making processes, practical demonstrations, critiques, and the exploration of current and historical artists across fields. Local field trips will add first-hand opportunities to experience other artists’ work. This course will help you develop your creative process, starting with idea generation, and culminating in the execution of well-thought-out works of art.

Instructor Contact Links

Lambert lambert.nwsa@gmail.com

Hudspeth KH (use contact form)

Required Materials

• Blank hardbound sketchbook
• X-acto knife with extra blades.
• self-healing cutting mat, roughly 9 x 12
• Utility Knife with extra blades.
• Stainless Steel Rulers (12 in and 36 in with cork backing).
• Drawing pencils and pens.
• Masking tape and Scotch tape.
• Adhesives (glue sticks, white glue, rubber cement, wood glue, etc.)

Note: We are aware that many of you are on a tight budget. Your individual projects will require a considerable range of tools and materials, so purchasing a few basic tools will make your work easier. Ask us for smart recommendations based on your major/concentration. The materials you need will depend on the design of your individual projects; be as resourceful as possible to keep your costs down.

Class Structure and Expectations

This course will be broken down into six Topic areas which we intend to reflect every different type of art practice that you might pursue while at NWSA.  Within each Topic, you will be given Assignments and Research and Participation.  You will receive a grade for each Topic, that will be averaged to produce your Mid-Term and Final grades.

Assignments

Your Assignments will require you to create artwork. You will be assigned small, theoretical assignments, as well as more complex assignments for every Topic area covered this semester.  In general, you should begin the more complex assignments as soon as you are able.  The assignments are structured to be complimentary, and the shorter-term, or shorter-scale projects will contribute to your understanding of the longer-term projects. Your critique participation will be built into your overall assignment grade for each Topic area. 

 
Most of your art-making time will occur outside of class; you may need to set-aside space in your home to work, if you have not done so already.  You may also need to transport a lot between your home and school.  You will need to get project-specific materials from time-to-time.  Please keep these factors in mind when planning both your projects and your time.  Those students who can plan their time well tend to do better in WARP; if you already know that time-management is a challenge for you, this can be an opportunity for you to develop better skills in this area.  Don’t be afraid to ask your peers for advice or assistance.

Research and Participation

This category comprises reading assignments, research assignments, outside visits, a WARP-specific sketchbook, and participation both in maintaining your blog and in-class.

You will be assigned important readings and research, as well as required outside-visits. These have all been carefully considered to enhance your understanding of the Topic area.  All of these will require a two-paragraph (minimum) response posted on your blog.  We will have discussions.  

You will be required to maintain a blog with specific information, and to keep a regular sketchbook which you use to document your thinking and exploration for the duration of the semester.  Your daily, in-class contributions will be evaluated for your overall Participation grade. 

Descriptions follow:
Readings: You will be given paper handouts, online links, or both, which you must read, write a response to, and be prepared to discuss.  If the reading has information in it that you’re unfamiliar with, it is your responsibility to look that information up.

Research: Sometimes we give you specific research tasks; these will require their own specific responses.  Otherwise, you can assume that we will judge it as a reflection on how knowledgeable you are about a subject, and how well-prepared for class you are.

Outside Visits: Only those museums, galleries, art spaces and events listed on the class blog may be attended and documented for credit. Each student must attend 4 events from the list before 10/12 (Midterm), and 6 additional events by 12/12 (Final class) for a total of ten outside visits. Please include a photograph of yourself at the art event/exhibition. Check the blog often for event listings, as new opportunities will be added weekly.

Sketchbook: You are required to keep a sketchbook devoted to WARP only. Your sketchbook is a repository for notes, ideas, working drawings—in short, a handmade record of and sourcebook for WARP.
Student Blog: Each student is required to maintain a blog created exclusively for WARP.  Guidelines for creating this blog will be discussed in class.  The blog serves as your portfolio and must include the following information in well-organized sections:

• Documentation of projects and small works. [Proper documentation consists of quality photo/video/or appropriate alternative, title of piece, material list, and brief description.]  Because of the size of this class, your instructors rely upon the documentation of your work on your blogs to refer to when grading.  If you do not have your work documented by the required deadline, you will not be able to receive a grade for the work.

• A written response to all guest lectures and out-of-class visits; these will be checked by the deadline and will not be recorded as having been done if they were posted afterwards.

• A written response to all assigned reading; these will be checked by the deadline and will not be recorded as having been done if they were posted afterwards.

• A written response to all out-of-class art events or art visits; these will be checked by the deadline and will not be recorded as having been done if they were posted afterwards.

Your blog will be checked weekly, and those grades will be averaged at Midterm and at Finals.

Participation: Verbal participation in class is important, and will be noted by your instructors for all course activity. Because different people have different temperaments, non-discussion-based participation will also be considered as part of your participation grade--this type of participation can be seen through helpfulness to students or instructors, preparedness and readiness, willingness to assume any extra responsibility, and other forms of quiet contributions.  We do not wish to punish those students who are shy or quiet, though we will still encourage those students to both speak up and gain familiarity with public speaking.

A General Note about Critiques

The size and structure of this course makes a traditional critique structure impossible; consequently, your instructors will use a variety of critique methods throughout the semester.  Not all work will be able to be critiqued during class time; you should not take this personally.  You are expected to be an enthusiastic participant in this class and take ownership of your work and development as a creative professional.  Decisions about what works receive critique and which do not will be made by the instructors with the goal towards specific learning outcomes.

The function of critiques is not only to receive feedback on your work, but also to build essential skills of presentation, negotiation, and persuasion. Projects must be ready for critique BEFORE scheduled critique begins. Craftsmanship and presentation greatly affect your grade; all work will be graded whether it receives an in-class critique or not. Your critique grade will be evaluated as part of your Assignments grade.

Class Blog

Individual student blogs will be linked to a class blog. The WARP blog will serve as our main point of contact, and will be where Project and Small Work assignments are posted.
Link: http://artunfolded.blogspot.com

Expectations and Grading Policy

WARP is a six credit hour course, consisting of 10 classroom hours, and 20 working out-of-class hours per week.
You will be given assignments related to a Unit Topic; these assignments will include a variety of tasks.  You will receive a grade for each unit one week after it is due, and a written mid-term evaluation will be distributed to each student, and filed in the art office (10/19). Your final grade will be assessed on your progress and participation throughout the class, including successful completion of:

70% Assignments

30% Research and Participation 

The criteria for grading all assignments will be based on:

• Technical mastery and application of the learned skills and principles.
• Thoroughness of research and development in working out the project.
• Thoroughness of project, or task, and completion by due date.
• Creativity, originality, and inventiveness/ Willingness to take risks.
• Craftsmanship, and presentation/ Display a high level of proficiency.
• Overall Improvement/ Evidence of growth.

NOTE: Late work will be reduced by a full letter grade. No credit will be given for minimal effort.

Final Portfolio and Jury Evaluation

You are expected to take time throughout the semester to re-work your projects based on instructor and peer feedback. Individual conferences with the instructor are available throughout the course, and should be set up with the instructor. Your blog must include documentation of all projects and assignments completed throughout the semester. This is your final portfolio, and will be referred to for final grading and at juries.  

ALL completed assignments must be presented at your Jury Evaluation (December 13th - 19th). 

Class and Shop Rules

Use of cell phones are strictly prohibited during lecture and critique. Internet usage should be limited to class-related research (no checking email, social networking sites, etc). Continued use, after a warning, may result in disciplinary action. Specific Rules for classrooms: 

• Food and Drink are not allowed in the studios or wood shop.
• Spray paint, resin and mount adhesives must be used outside of the building or in the appropriate ventilation hood.
• All materials and works-in-progress must be stored in WARP cage. Please label your things with Name and phone number. Note: Anything left in studios will be discarded by custodial staff.
• Clean up after yourself.
• Closed-toe shoes are mandatory. NO sandals or flip-flops.
• Return  the classroom as you found it. If changes are made, all walls must be repainted, etc. the same day as your project is presented.

Wood Shop (RM 5112) and Open Shop Hours

Access to certain shop equipment requires that you pass additional safety orientations. Open shop hours are posted weekly on the wood shop door. For any questions, contact:

Dacil Hedlund, Shop Technician: 305.237.3886 

Our shared studio space consists of two main rooms-5217/5219, and the first floor wood shop. Students may do work outside of class-time as long as there is no class in session, or by obtaining permission from the instructor teaching at the time you wish to work. No one is permitted in the wood shop outside of posted open-shop hours, or when no instructor is present.  Some work may also be done in the printshop, at the discretion of the instructor.

NWSA Tool Policy

NWSA provides limited hand tools and equipment during class time and open shop time. 

NO TOOLS MAY BE REMOVED FROM STUDIOS, OR WOOD SHOP, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

Failure to comply with this policy will result in a disciplinary loss of access to the wood shop during open shop hours. Please be considerate of your fellow students; we have no funds for tool replacement.

Attendance

Students are expected to: attend class as scheduled; arrive at class on time; and demonstrate appropriate behavior and a readiness to learn. Students are responsible for catching up and getting any assignments, notes or readings missed because of absence.

• The attendance policy permits two absences per semester. A third absence will result in a lowering of your semester grade.
• Tardies exceeding ten [10] minutes will be considered a full absence for the day. After 10m the door will be locked. Please gently knock on the door in the back of the classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that the instructor documents your attendance.
• Absences due to serious circumstances [i.e. hospital stay, death in the family] must be legitimately documented and approved by the Dean. 
• Absences on critique days will only be excused do to serious circumstances (as described above).

Honor Code

Students are expected to follow the Honor Code of the New World School of The Arts. All assignments must be original and completed independently during the quarter. 

Disabilities 

Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with documented disabilities. Please contact the instructor to work out the details for any accommodations. 

Disclaimer and Possible Changes

This syllabus is subject to change at any time during the quarter. You will be notified of any changes or will be issued a new syllabus. Remember, interruptions happen. You may not always have access to the classroom as often as you would like. If there’s an exciting art event in town, or if a speaker of special interest becomes available, class time will be preempted so the class can take advantage of the event. You must plan accordingly. Managing to work around deadlines and challenging conditions is part of growing up, and is certainly part of life as an artist.

In addition to minding the due dates given to you by your instructors, you should frequently check for announcements posted on the blog. Any changes or additional notices will be posted there. All projects are due at the beginning of class on the dates listed.

Additional Contacts

Teaching Assistants: TBA

College Counselor: Alex Zuccaro, 305.237.7379

Final Note About Projects and Outside Activities 

Most of your work on projects will be completed outside of class. You should dedicate a minimum of 20 hours per week outside of class time on your work for WARP.

In completing the projects you are required to engage in outside research (libraries, gallery and museum visits, theatre, music, dance and other performance events, literature, professional contacts, etc.).

While we emphasize complete freedom to explore ideas, we must still use common sense in some areas. We do not allow anything that is illegal in any way. Anything which poses a danger to yourself or others, or property, is forbidden. Smoke will set off fire alarms, so special arrangements must be made if you require it. If there is any question about the above, you must consult your instructors in advance.

Work installed must be removed immediately following critique, and any holes, marks, etc. must be patched and painted.

During the semester a number of outside activities will be arranged during class time. All outside visits during class time are obligatory. Failure to attend these outside activities constitutes an absence for the entire day. The class will arrange car pools for traveling to these venues

Sources for Tools and Materials

The best place to find materials is in garbage and recycling bins… seriously. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Take frequent looks through alleys, and get to know trash days in nice neighborhoods. Craigslist is possible, but be cautious and careful. Never go to someone’s house or anywhere alone. 

Donations of unused and scrap material are also available from local businesses. Tell them you are an art student and see what happens. If all else fails, you can buy materials here: 

Blick Art Supplies

6250 South Dixie Highway,

Miami, FL 33143

(305) 740 7077

ACE Budget Hardware (closest hardware store to campus)

1644 NE 2^nd Ave,

Miami, FL 33127

(305) 379 5444

Jerry’s Artarama

1140 SW 67^th Ave

Miami, FL

(305) 262- 0475

Home Depot

Many locations throughout

Miami-Dade and Broward