Positive Space: Conversation in Art Foundations

This episode of Positive Space feature interviews with participants in the FATE affiliate session at the Mid-America College Art Association (MACCA) Conference. At the FATE panel, participants were asked to find or think up something that made them uncomfortable and then go do it. Afterwards those participants returned to discuss their uncomfortable situation and what their experience was during and after.

We speak with Andrew McCauley, Vice President of FATE's Biennial Conference. He speaks about the upcoming conference, Foundations in Flux and all the events surrounding it, how it's different from past conferences what to do in Columbus.

How can we encourage students to be comfortable in the discomfort of the creative process? How can we stay energized in a field where burn out is very common? We unpack these questions and many more with Professor of Art and Coordinator of Graduate Studies at Bowling Green State University, Michael Arrigo while attending the Mid America College Art Conference [MACAA] in Nebraska, earlier this month.

Positive Space speaks with Libby McFalls, Professor of Art and Foundations Coordinator at Columbus State UNiversity. She discusses how to change a foundations curriculum by asking "What are we good at?" how to balance life, art and teaching and her role on the board of ITI.

Positive Space talks with Guen Montgomery MACAA representative for the FATE Board of Directors. She discusses the changing curriculum at the University Illinois Urbana-Champaign and turns the table on host Valerie Powell.

Joshua Brinlee discusses his role as Foundations Coordinator at the University of Mississippi, the idea of living in the question and the tenure process.

In this episode Positive Space sits down with Anthony Watkins, Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Sam Houston State University. Watkins discusses foundations effect on Graphic Design, teaching professionalism in his field and inspirations for students.

In this episode Positive Space speaks with Michael Marks, Associate Professor of Art and Foundations Program Coordinator at the South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University. Michael discusses the foundations program at Anderson University and the release of FATE in Review.

In this episode Positive Space speaks with Jesse Payne, Head of the Drawing Studio and Assistant Professor in the Art & Design Foundations Department at Virginia Commonwealth University, based in Doha, Qatar. Mr. Payne discusses the opportunities created teaching at an international university.

We discuss creative detours, the mystery of art, becoming comfortable in your own skin as well as the habit and repetition and the true courage it takes to make things, with artist and educator, Gary Setzer, Associate Professor, Division Chair of the First Year Experience at The University of Arizona. While exploring the question many educators are asking “Is (should) Foundations be the same for everyone?” Gary outlines the heart behind the thematic “salad bar” design to his foundations curriculum, which gives students agency, while balancing both craft and content. Each eight week module explores material possibilities while welcoming the value of individual student voices, with this DIY approach to Foundations.

Experimentation is something everyone talks about, but rarely are practical examples of how to implement experimentation within our creative studios and classroom spaces deeply examined. Lily Kuonen, Associate Professor and Foundations Coordinator at Jacksonville University, discusses her artwork which she describes as PLAYNTINGS (play + paintings) and how the element of playful experimentation has become a crucial aspect of her teaching pedagogy. Lily reflects on projects that encourage play, observation and curiosity while unpacking how leaderships roles in Integrative Teaching International (ITI), FATE and SECAC have informed her overall perspective.

This episode was recorded live at the FATE panel at the 106th Annual College Art Association Conference held in Los Angeles. The FATE panel was moderated by Naomi Falk, the FATE CAA Representative.

A very honest conversation with David Janssen Jr., MFA Candidate at The University of Idaho. We unpack the privilege of being an educator, millennial haters & the urgent need to avoid becoming lazy by staying passionate about all aspects of being an academic. As a current graduate student, David offers a uniquely fresh perspective about classroom dynamics, with a focus on self reflection and empathy.

Rethinking creativity and being truly open to opportunities - even if they are unfamiliar & across the globe - marks only the beginning of our thoughtful chat with artist and educator Chris Kienke, Chair of the Foundations Curriculum at the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Chris outlines how his evolving artistic practice has been informed by places/spaces while teaching abroad in the middle east. In addition, we discuss the state of foundations, advise for emerging educators and the navigating the politics of higher education.

Artist, educator & Gallery Director, Shannon Rae Lindsey, reflects on her evolving art practice & how a curiosity of material possibilities has informed her approach to foundations curriculum. In our conversation, Shannon shares practical strategies for encouraging experimentation in the studio classroom, and her passion for the role interdisciplinary collaboration plays within academic gallery spaces.