Fall 2020 Professional Practices Series

UPDATE: We’ve added documentation of these events where possible.

Join the MCAD MFA Program for our Fall 2020 professional practices workshops, which are all online, free, and open to all. Use the links below to register for each Zoom event.

The Business of You – Ruby Lerner

Thursday, Sept 17, 6:30 pm

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Ruby Lerner is the founding Executive Director of Creative Capital, an innovative arts foundation that adapts venture capital concepts to support individual artists. Currently, Ruby is working as an Advisor to the Arts Program at the Open Society Foundations, assisting in the design and implementation of the new international Soros Arts Fellowship.

Transcript of talk available to those who registered (sent in September).

MFA Visiting Faculty, Gonzalo Reyes Rodriguez – Artist Talk

Thursday, Oct 1, 6:30 pm

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Gonzalo Reyes Rodriguez (b. 1987) is a visual artist, whose work frequently draws on archival media material and manifests itself primarily as photography, film, theatre or multi-screen installations. His work has been featured in Hyperallergic, Contemporary Art Daily, Public Parking and the Daily Lazy.

This talk was not recorded.

Grant writing tips – Amanda Lovelee ‘10, MFA

Thursday, Oct 15, 6:30 pm

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Amanda Lovelee MFA ’10, is an artist who works in civic systems as a translator between government and community with the goal of building places where everyone belongs. She currently works as the Parks Ambassador for the Metropolitan Council based in the Twin Cities where her job is to connect people to the outdoors with a focus on equity. She will be sharing grant writing tips.

Do it Together Series: Residency Apps – Gonzalo Reyes Rodriguez

Thursday, Oct 22, 6:30 pm

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Join us to learn more about successful residency applications. Gonzalo Reyes Rodriguez (b. 1987) is a visual artist, whose work frequently draws on archival media material and manifests itself primarily as photography, film, theatre or multi-screen installations. His work has been featured in Hyperallergic, Contemporary Art Daily, Public Parking and the Daily Lazy.

This recording is available to MCAD students. Email Ellen Mueller if you would like access.

Preparing Your Graduate School Application

Thursday, Oct 29, 7:00 pm

Please join us for a free presentation of “Preparing Your Graduate School Application,” led by MCAD MFA Program Director, Ellen Mueller. This is a public online event tailored to those who are applying to grad school this fall. The presentation will be followed by open Q&A. The entire event will last approximately 45-60 minutes.

Making the Most of Your Illustration Practice – Niky Motekallem ‘16, MFA

Thursday, Nov 5, 6:30 pm

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Niky Motekallem is an Iranian-American freelance illustrator and gallery artist that primarily depicts flora and fauna. They use vibrant colors and detailed lines as inspired by their Persian background. This talk will be about how Niky uses their illustration in ways more than just editorial work to broaden the reach of art. This will include using social media, making gallery work, running an online shop, and other applications of illustration as well as a summary on how to protect your work from theft and ensuring payment through writing your own contracts.

This talk was not recorded.

Teaching in Higher Ed: Raising Engagement/Lowering the Stakes – Gerald Ronning

Tuesday, Nov 10, 6:30 pm

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The pressure to perform can often get in the way of learning that is driven by student interest and excitement. Sometimes letting go of grades can allow students to pursue a subject based on interest rather than fear, which can in turn translate into better work. Gerald Ronning will discuss his experiments with low stakes deliverables in his Liberal Arts Advanced Seminar.