ONLINE COURSE:
Artist Publications as a Site of Research

LOCATION

Online course
With optional in-person meetup at end of course (date and location to be decided).

DATES AND TIMES

Wednesdays August 5, 12, 19, 26, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM EST (Ottawa time)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This 4-week course is grounded in the notion of the artist publication as a site of of research, and as a vehicle for creating dialogue, knowledge-sharing and community-building. Led by researcher, artist, educator and Possible Worlds Director Melanie Yugo, we will discuss how to translate your thematic questions, source material and findings into an engaging artist publication that uniquely combines form, content and your point of view.

By the end of the course, you will have developed a proposal for your artist publication outlining your narrative, content, structure, desired publics, as well as next steps for creating a publication prototype. You will also have the opportunity to receive feedback on your proposal from peers and the lecturer.

Optional: A local meetup at the end of the course will be scheduled in Ottawa (with possibilities of meetups in Toronto or Montreal) if there are enough participants interested.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

• Artists, cultural workers, designers and other creatives who wish to translate their area of exploration into a tangible artist publication.

• Canadian and international participants are welcome.

• This course focuses on conceptual artist publishing, not software or design basics.

• The class size will be limited to encourage small group discussions and support active learning.

WHAT YOU’LL TAKE AWAY

• Knowledge of a research-based creation framework for artist publications.

• Approaches to meaningfully organize and edit concepts, images, texts and other material to support your research questions and findings.

• Approaches to select formats that supports your publication vision.

• Approaches to disseminate your artist publication for different publics.

• Your own proposal for developing your artist publication, and next steps for creating a prototype.

• A reading list with relevant materials on the topic.

• Access to one (1) 30-minute session of feedback from the lecturer during the course dates.

• Presentations and recordings of each session will be available for 30 days after the end of the session.

• Optional assignments are included to help support the development of your publication proposal and prototype.

• Optional in-person meetup with fellow participants at the end of the course in Ottawa (with possibilities of meetups in Toronto or Montreal)(TBD).

COURSE FEE

For this first cohort, we are offering the following fees:

• Option 1: $269 CAD + HST (General Fees)

• Option 2: $229 CAD + HST (Equity -Deserving Group). We are offering 3 spots at a reduced rate to those who self-identify as Indigenous, Black, Asian or racialized; or as a person with disabilities; or as two-spirit, transgender or gender non-conforming.

To make this workshop as accessible as possible and to increase opportunities for those who have historically been underrepresented in the arts, we offer different participation fee options. The amount you choose to pay goes to facilitators, operating our community space, contributing to local fundraising initiatives, and keeping programming accessible, such as Object//Project Art Book Fair.

Please note: Fees are subject to change for future editions.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1: Introductions and thematic inquiries. Introduction of the course and all participants. Discussion on the artist publication as a research site and examples.

Week 2: The research process. Approaches for meaningfully synthesizing and analyzing information from source material for an artist publication.

Week 3: Designing knowledge. Approaches to selecting and sequencing content, including image and text, and how to choose an appropriate and accessible publication form that supports your vision.

Week 4: Sharing your work and peer feedback. Approaches to sharing your artist publication with different publics, with the goals of creating dialogue and community. Participants will share their publication proposals with peers and receive collective feedback, gaining insight into different approaches to research-based artist publishing.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Language
Classes are delivered in English. Live captioning is available during the sessions.

Mode of Delivery
The course is taught online via Zoom.

Attendance
Live attendance is encouraged. Recordings are available if you cannot attend a session.

Technical Requirements
A stable internet connection, a computer with a camera and microphone, and access to Zoom are required.

COURSE LECTURER

Melanie Yugo is a researcher, artist, educator and cultural organizer. Moving between personal diasporic storytelling and reimagining institutional structures, she aims to promote more inclusive knowledge, methodologies and forms through research, publishing, printmaking and the creation of independent art platforms. Melanie co-founded and directs Object//Project Art Book Fair and Possible Worlds. In parallel, she has built a 20+ year career in progressive social and cultural research and public policy focused on removing barriers to representation and participation in shaping Canadian art, culture, citizenship and identity. She works and lives in Ottawa and Toronto.

NEXT STEPS

Look out for a reminder e-mail from us, approximately 5-10 days before the course. Please make sure to check your spam/junk folder. If you do not receive this e-mail, don't hesitate to e-mail us indicating so.

TERMS OF SERVICE AND CANCELLATION POLICY

Please note: Once purchased, spots are non-refundable. If participants are not able to attend a session, recordings can be accessed for 30 days after the session; no partial refunds will be provided. By purchasing a spot or having someone purchase a spot for you, you also agree to these terms. At least five participants are required for this course. Read more about our terms of service and cancellation policy here.