Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program at SRISA

OVERVIEW

Program Structure:

This four month long intensive program offers post-baccalaureate participants and practicing artists the opportunity to work in a professional environment.

This is a program for artists that are not seeking a degree but rather an opportunity to build and work on a professional portfolio. Post-baccalaureate students are guided through the transition from a structured academic curriculum to an established working practice. The program is specially designed for those artists who wish to build their portfolio for admission to graduate school in visual arts and for working artists who are looking for a new perspective on their own work and would like creative feedback.

Participants in the Certificate Program are provided with a shared studio workspace. Each participant is paired with a professional artist who serves as a mentor for the duration of the program. Weekly meetings with mentors and visiting artists provide the structure of this studio experience.

The critical theory aspect of the program is an essential component of the participant’s practice. Participants will be encouraged to consider theory as a way to becoming an inspired and autonomously creative thinker and practitioner. In addition, they will have the opportunity to study with art curators and other theorists in order to fully comprehend the role theory plays in the international field of art and culture.

Participating artists may also attend two support courses. Courses can include: Printmaking, Photography, Book Arts, Drawing, Painting, Jewelry Design, Batik, Silk Screen, Art History, History, Italian Cinema, and Italian Language. The support courses will be chosen according to participant’s interests.

Portfolio Seminar

Participants will have the opportunity to attend seminars to help develop their current studio practice into a working portfolio that may be used for a variety of purposes, including preparing graduate school applications (MFA or MA), developing successful applications for artist’s residencies or learning how to seek funding for specific projects.

The aim of the seminar is thus to consolidate participants’ work into a portfolio that MFA program application reviewers or art professionals can navigate easily due to clarity of form and content. In addition, participants will learn how to translate the visual language of their art into a written language that coincides with their practice, which is a fundamental aspect for any artist wishing to present their art in today’s world.

Visiting Artists and Mentors

SRISA invites visiting professionals in the field to come to the campus to share their experience and working knowledge. These artists and mentors include but are not limited to:
Paolo Parisi
Wolfgang Berkowski
T-yong Chung
Elioise Ghioni
Regan Wheat
Justin Randolf Thompson
Robert Petena
Amy Worthen
Meredith Dean

Final Show

At the termination of the program participants will be invited to display their work in a final group exhibition. Additionally, a catalog of all the work for the exhibition and for the program will be produced in collaboration with the program coordinator and participants. This catalog is a valuable documentation of successful completion of the program.

Application Process

Applicants should complete the online application, indicate that they are applying for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, and submit the following items to registrar@srisa.org:
15-20 Images
Artist Statement
Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Reference
College Transcripts

Requirements:

Student must be at least 18 years of age.
Student must have a Bachelors Degree, or equivalent.
Student must have maintained a 2.5 GPA* in all college work attempted.
Student must be able to fluently speak, write, and take exams in the English language, with the exception of those students taking Italian language courses.
Student must submit their official academic transcripts to the Admissions Office along with their application.
Student must submit their resume or CV.
Student must submit a portfolio of 15-20 images.
Student must submit an Artist Statement.
Student must submit 2 Letters of Reference.
* Students with a GPA lower than 2.5 may petition for acceptance by submitting a letter of intent, sample portfolio with 5-10 images of work or 2 writing samples, and 2 letters of recommendation along with their enrollment application.

POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE