Art Stitch

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Job Searching the Arts

It has happened. I have finished a terminal degree in my field of study. I have the degree that decorates the multitudes: the MFA. For those of you who may not know what an MFA is, it is a Masters of Fine Arts. It is lovely. I have the stamped and signed, fancy paper that states my name (finally spelled correctly), the date, and the school from which I have matriculated. Now what?

No. Seriously.

NOW WHAT!!??!?!?!

I have spent the past 6 months filling out and sending in (through various formats) applications, CV's, cover letters, references, questionnaires and even my high school transcripts on occasion. I was
(mis)advised to begin my search in February for faculty positions. Starting in January, thinking I would get a jump on things, I began my search only to find that I should have started looking in October. I missed out on a HUGE number of opportunities because I didn't start earlier in the fall. I did briefly begin looking for museum positions in the Montana/Wyoming/South Dakota/Colorado areas. I sent out a couple of applications and was even interviewed for two positions. It was the beginning of my confrontation with rejection. I knew it was coming; but the waiting, the leading and the final slap from the form letter were not something for which I was prepared.

At this point I have stopped counting, but I would guesstimate that I have sent out between 55 and 65 applications. Each one took an average of 2 hours to complete, some taking significantly longer. I have applied all around the United States, from coast to coast and everywhere in between. I have applied with federal and state governments, with museums, galleries, universities and community colleges. They each have their own very specific needs and wants from an application packet and an applicant. And now I have a pile of rejection letters (on paper just as fancy as my degree) and an inbox innundated with the same. I have had 3 interviews (2 of them at the same institution) at museums and 1 interview at a university.

I have ten years of experience teaching a variety of people (children to adults from various backgrounds) and 10 years of museum experience. From what I have been told, getting a job shouldn't be a problem. What I am finding though is that it is. I don't have one or another small little thing that people want in just the right way. I am learning how to better sell myself and have confidence in my background. I have had to sit down, take into account the questions I've been asked in interviews and work out how to answer difficult questions that I have had trouble answering in the past. I believe very strongly in being truthful in your interview because if you are not they will find out quickly (assuming you get lucky and are hired). That doesn't mean however that you don't have experience. As a new teacher at an elementary school I had forgotten that I had to deal with my classroom budget as part of my job when I interviewed with one museum. When they asked about my budgetary experience I told them that I hadn't had that opportunity yet. Now, I realize I actually do. I'm honest about what it is that I've done, I just makes sure I learn from my mistakes and account for ALL of my experience not just the experience that I always assumed was most important.

It is difficult to find a job in the arts without experience and it's impossible to get the experience necessary to get hired because no one will hire you. It seems that entry level positions are exceptionally few and far between in this field so keep your eyes sharp and your CV's ready. We're all out there competing!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Settling In

So I've been busy in the studio. I finally got it organized. Almost everything has been moved in, just a few odds and ends left.

I've finished a few paintings and am doing sketches for some fiberwork. The family and I went to Whitefish, MT last week for the opening reception for the summer issue of the Whitefish Review, Montana's Arts and Culture Journal. I highly recommend subscribing to this publication. It is beautifully designed, edited and published. It includes poetry, writing, art and covers both cultural and scientific perspectives. You can check it out at www.whitefishreview.org. Included in their summer issue, Vol. 6, Issue 1, #11 The Wild Issue, is In His Dreams, the quilt about my son Gabriel. It also includes a write-up explaining the quilt. Please order your copy today and support this growing arts publication!

This painting was donated to raise funds for the Whitefish Review

Here are a few images of what I've been working on lately.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Memory Work: Constructing Identity an MFA Exhibition

Here are images from my thesis exhibit (April 2-5, 2012):

Losing 28,935 Days

Ice Cream and Puppies, Nobody Likes a Whiner, Finding Serenity, Onslaught, Moving On, In the Midst of Failure

In His Dreams

At the End of the Day

at Least I Have a Spare Brain

We Haven’t Found a Workable

Solution

In 2012

Since I last posted I've been busy finishing up my Masters Degree here at UND. I'm hoping now that is all done I'll actually be a bit better about posting more frequently. I officially graduate next Saturday though I'm not planning on walking we'll hopefully have a great party to celebrate anyway! I've been busy moving my studio from the university into my new space. I found a great spot on the outskirts of town. It is about twice the size of my current studio and will have room for my easels, sewing table and loom when I'm finished setting it all up. I have a couple of series in the works. I'll hopefully be participating in Art and Wine Walk this summer. On the first I'll be in Whitefish, MT to celebrate the publication of In His Dreams in the Whitefish Review's Wild Issue, (Issue 11). I'll post pics of my studio as I get it set up. Until then here are some images of the work I've finished up since I last posted.