After handing everything in on Friday, including a cobbled together business plan and research file for the rest of my life (apparently), I am able to relax, knowing that lectures don't start again until the 26th.
However; a student's work is never done (ho ho). Next week I have the induction day for the business scheme I have managed to get a place on. I also have the chance to visit a local school to talk to them about a one-day-a-week residency. And I'm starting a bit of work for next semester. With earning-money work at weekends. And worrying about fundraising for the shows we are taking part in.
I'm glad for all these opportunities, as I am increasingly aware that other universities or even other departments within my own university do not have these chances. Our ceramics department is taking part in five shows this coming summer, including our degree show. Some departments take part in none. These opportunities could, potentially, help us gain contacts, 'network' (spit spit) and even make some cash. But having to fundraise for all these is incredibly difficult, especially during the slowly building recession. Why the fuck should anyone want to give a bunch of base mud-slingers money to stick their work on white plinths and hope for the best? The drafted begging letter we hope to send out talks about the importance of providing a forum for new and emerging artistic talent, but even I don't know if I believe this. Why should art, and art students, be given funding when essentially they are contributing nothing but abstract nouns to society? I'm not making cars, or computers, or things that could help; we are not nursing the sick or teaching children how to save the world that we've helped into such a terrible state. Abstract nouns are all well and good but they do not get the job jobbed. See next post!
