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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 385"
COURSE NAME: "Contemporary Art and Design Professional Practice"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Ilaria Gianni
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TH12:30 PM 3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This interdisciplinary course introduces key skills relevant to careers and graduate study within Art and Design. The course explores the relationship between personal, creative, and professional development, and instantiates a concrete awareness of the ‘communication tools’ relevant to Art and Design fields. The course will help foster critical skills required for personal decision-making and self-evaluation, relative to careers within the creative industries and preparation for graduate school by addressing both practical and professional aspects such as ‘The CV’, ’The Portfolio’, ‘The Proposal’, and ‘The Statement.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This interdisciplinary course introduces key skills relevant to careers and graduate study within Art and Design. The course explores the relationship between personal, creative, and professional development, and instantiates a concrete awareness of the ‘communication tools’ relevant to Art and Design fields. The course will help foster critical skills required for personal decision-making and self-evaluation, relative to careers within the creative industries and preparation for graduate school by addressing both practical and professional aspects such as ‘The CV’, ’The Portfolio’, ‘The Proposal’, and ‘The Statement.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course will lead students towards:

 Developing a Personal Artistic Identity: Students will refine their artistic vision, voice, and style, enabling them to present themselves and their work clearly in the professional art world.

- Critical self-presentation: Students will learn how to create and manage a professional portfolio, artist statement, website, and social media presence, to effectively convey their work to curators and the audience. They will also learn how to present their work in various professional settings, such as galleries, public talks, and portfolio reviews, with a focus on articulating their concepts and processes effectively.

Engaging with Critical Discourses in Art: Students will develop the ability to discuss their work and the work of others critically and thoughtfully, strengthening their ability in writing proposals, presentation letters and applying for grants.

Building Professional Networks: Students will learn the importance of building and maintaining relationships with other artists, curators, galleries, art writers, and art organizations, which expand their professional network and create potential collaboration opportunities.

- Project Management Skills: Students will understand what it takes to manage productions of large scale works or exhibitions, commissions, and other art projects, including budgeting, time management, and organizing logistics.

Understanding Art Market Dynamics: Students will gain knowledge about the art market, gallery representation, pricing, selling, and trends, helping them navigate the business side of their artistic career.

Navigating Legal and Financial Aspects: Students will be introduced to the legal and financial aspects of contracts, intellectual property, and pricing strategies.

Ethical and Sustainable Artistic Practice: Students will develop an understanding of ethical considerations in their work, including sustainability, cultural sensitivity, and responsibility toward their audience and collaborators.

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance 10%
Artist Statement  20%
Portfolio Development 30%
Networking and Professional Communication 10%
Public Speaking and Presentation 30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality shows excellent mastery of the course content along with exceptional levels of technical skill, artistic awareness, originality, resourcefulness, commitment, quantity of work and improvement. There has been excellent collaboration and leadership in group projects, and there have been no attendance problems.
BA highly competent level of performance with work that directly addresses the content of the course, with a good quantity of work produced.
CAn acceptable level of performance: the work shows awareness of the course content, but is very limited in quantity, quality, commitment and skill.
DThe student lacks a coherent grasp of the course material and has failed to produce much work.
FNegligent in attendance, academic honesty, engagement with the course content, or production of work.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

You are expected to participate in all scheduled classes. Absences and late arrival will be noted and may affect your grade.

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

 

WEEK 1 

Introduction to the course

 

WEEK 2 – WEEK 3
Art Critique and Reflection

How do I critically engage in critical reflection on my work and the work of others? How can I theoretically ground my work and relate it to the present’s times necessities/urgencies? Discussion on contemporary art discourses and global themes such as:  identity, the body, technology, globalization, migration, society, culture, memory, the passage of time, and artistic critique of sociopolitical. Tailored readings on each student’s practices.


WEEK 4 + WEEK 5

Artist's CV and Resume, Artist’s Statement and Portfolio Development

How do we create a professional CV/resume tailored to the art world. How is a cohesive artist statement and a professional portfolio showcasing a selection of your work, developed? In class case studies.

Practice: Students will learn how to create an artist’s CV that includes exhibitions, publications, awards, and relevant professional experiences and will be asked to write an artist statement that communicates their artistic vision, influences, and goals. They will also begin to develop a digital or physical portfolio that best represents their practice.

 

WEEK 6
Studio Practice Documentation

How do I document and presenting my studio work. In class case studies.

Practice: Students will document their studio practice over a set period, including photos, videos, and written reflections on their process. This teaches them how to create an archive of their work and document the evolution of their practice.

 

WEEK 7

Midterm Exams

Portfolio and Artist Statement review

 

WEEK 8 + WEEK 9

The Art Market

What is the art system? Who are it’s protagonists? How does a commercial gallery work? What is an art fair? Who are collectors / patrons? In class lecture by a Rome based gallerist.

Practice:  Art market research to understand the current trends in the art market, identifying potential collectors, galleries, or other sales channels. Based on this, they create a strategy for how to market their work effectively.

 

WEEK 10

Networking and Professional Communication + Social Media Strategy

           Artists need to be aware that they need to consolidate relationships based on professional communication with art galleries, curators, and other artists. Today, it is also necessary to create and implement a social media strategy to promote ones’ art practice.

Practice: Students will be asked to write emails or letters to galleries, curators, or artists introducing themselves and their work. This helps them practice pitching their work and networking. Students will also be asked to develop a social media presence for their artistic practice through the creation of a content calendar.

 

WEEK 11
Grant and Funding Application

Artists can apply for grants and other funding opportunity.to support their research and practice. In class case studies.  

Practice: Students are tasked with finding an art grant or funding opportunity that suits their practice and creating an application, which might include project proposals, budgets, and timelines.

 

WEEK 12 + WEEK 13

Exhibition Proposal

How does an artist write a formal exhibition proposal for a gallery or museum, including concept, selected works, and logistics? In class case studies.
Practice: Students will be asked to propose a solo exhibition: theme, concept, and the types of works they would present, potential venues, timelines, and exhibition strategies.

 

WEEK 14
Public Speaking and Presentation

Artist should be confident public speakers when presenting their practices and single works.  
Practice:  Students will prepare a presentation about their artistic practice. This could include discussing the inspiration behind their work, their creative process, and their future goals.

 

 

FNAL EXAM:
PRESENTATION: Students will deliver a presentation about their artistic practice and will participate in a formal art critique, where they provide constructive feedback on their peers’ work. They must also write a reflective piece on their own practice.