For the last few years, I have regularly logged onto A-N and read some excellent ongoing blogs written by both strangers and friends all tackling interesting subject matters and touching on aspects of what it means being an artist today.
I have always maintained that writing a blog in the public domain of A-N was something that didn’t feel necessary, no matter how much it appealed, at the time and would probably quickly descend into navel gazing without bringing anything meaningful to the table.
At this moment however, the time feels right to start a blog. Before I crack on I think it’s important give a bit of context to my motives for caving in and starting a blog here.
My current situation.
In a few weeks I will be starting a MA in Arts Management, Policy & Practice at the University of Manchester. (I’ll no doubt be coining an acronym for future posts perhaps AMPAP – I’ll work on it folks) To enroll on the course which is full time, I have recently left my job at the Bluecoat in Liverpool where I have worked in various capacities for the past four years. I am flat hunting at present and will be moving to Manchester. Having lived in Liverpool all my life, it really is an exciting time at the moment. There really is nothing better than slightly scaring yourself shitless with a trek into the unknown.
My practice.
I am apologetically drawn towards sculpture and installation work. The majority of my output is sculptural punctuated by drawing. I am currently a studio member at The Royal Standard in Liverpool and have been for well over a year now. A proactive and forward thinking group, TRS is a great place to make work and hosts some very interesting artists. Since leaving the Bluecoat, I have been splitting my time between the studio making work and sorting out Uni ‘business’.
The course.
I spent the last few months of 2010 trying to plan my next step. Feeling jaded and unchallenged I felt it was the ideal time to return to studying at Masters level but the main question was whether or not to apply for a practice based MA. I studied Fine Art at Liverpool John Moores graduating in 2007 so my experience of higher education is synonymous with producing work. Although I greatly enjoyed my time at LJMU, I was left highly frustrated by the failure of the course (and the majority of Fine Art courses) to equip students with the basic necessary skills needed to realistically enter the art world.
It really did involve having to do things off your own back during and after university. While this isn’t a moan or whine (I believe it was a critical part of my student experience) it’s an acknowledgment that volunteering and getting involved in artistic projects set me on the path to why I am about to studying this MA now.
My working life saw me become actively engaged and interested with the management and policy aspects of the cultural world.
Why I have started this blog.
Using my experiences over the next year as a catalyst, the main aim of this blog is to show the impact that other commitments and career orientated choices have on artistic practice.
I do not have any idea how the blog will pan out. I am committed to maintaining my practice but realistic enough to realise that changes will occur as my priorities shift. These changes will be documented here.
As well as this, I will be touching on how artists produce work and balance varying commitments (e.g need to earn money, pay bills, childcare…) and what support structures are in place to help artists.
I am also interested in the relationship between artists and the ‘administrative’ sector that my course falls into. I have already has some interesting discussions I’ll go into further down the line.
Anyway, that is my introductory post to the blog. I’ll be posting again soon, I won’t be short of material for the next few weeks anyway that’s for sure…
