PUBLIC AND INSTALLATION ART

• How to identify which art calls are right for you.

• How to develop your professional support materials (CV, slides, image list, references, letter of interest)

• How to perform your due diligence (site visits, phone conferences, email inquiries, budgeting, accessibility studies and more) via in-class case studies

• Budgeting, cost evaluations and financial aspects via case studies

• Behind-the-scenes insights from public arts professionals (architects, engineers, arts administrators, vendors)

• 'What Not To Do’: business school-style case studies of successful and unsuccessful projects

• Participants will work on and complete a real, live public art call with the support and assistance of the instructors! Many participants choose to submit their project to the call and past participants have sucessfully been chosen as lead and team artists on submitted calls. Participant outcomes will vary, but we encourage participants to submit.

This full 6-week course will be delivered live in a virtual classroom and will include interactive elements. Participants will also receive one-on-one mentoring and peer-to-peer connections.

To get the most out of this class, participants are encouraged to set aside 1-2 hours per week (outside of class time) to work on their art calls and other class activities.

The class may also include optional in-person field trips and site visits.

Matt McConnell is a sculptor and designer with degrees in Architecture and Industrial Design from NC State University.  He founded McConnell Studios in 2001 and with a team of builders has completed over 500 projects including sculpture, lighting, architectural installations, furniture, and more, including work nationally and internationally in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

As a sculptor and designer, Matt has always been fascinated by capturing and expressing the energy of time, motion, and invisible forces like wind, gravity, and light. He uses repetition and transformation to create a rhythm and flow in elemental materials that intertwine to create truly three dimensional forms. A passion for implying that motion in still form and impacting space without overtaking it is the focus of much of his work.

Commissioned work includes residential, commercial, and public artwork and functional elements, often created in dialogue with clients to allow a shared experience in the creation of the pieces.  

Learn more about Matt’s work here. 

Cynthia Deis is a Raleigh-based artist, writer and arts educator with experience in a variety of mediums. Her background as a production jewelry designer and retail store owner provides her with an artist’s understanding of business and entrepreneurial issues. Certified in REAL Entrepreneurship and REAL Craft courses, she also teaches and consults on pricing, studio layout, and email marketing with artists, craftspeople and small arts organizations. 

With her business and mentoring background, Cynthia is the Education Director of Triangle ArtWorks, where she works to develop and implement programming and events focused on artists and arts organizations as sustainable economic factors in their communities.

Learn more about Cynthia’s work here.

Additional Visiting Artists and other project professionals will present and discuss real-life projects throughout the course.

Class dates are Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov 7 (6-8p).

Our application deadline is Sept. 10th. All applicants will be informed of status by September 17th.

All applicants should set aside 1-2 hours per week (outside of class time) to work on their art calls and other class activities in order to get the most out of the class.

This course is available free of charge to Athens-Clarke County residents with the generous support of the Athens-Clarke County office of Leisure Services.