UMass Amherst and Hancock Shaker Village have announced a groundbreaking partnership that will create a new two-year master's degree program that combines the university's strengths in architecture and public history with on-site training and courses utilizing the Village's National Historic Landmark site.
Starting in Fall 2010, the new Master of Science in Design with a concentration in historic preservation will offer advanced study of traditional building materials, preservation theory, and building systems utilizing the architecture, archives, collections, and library at Hancock Shaker Village. Students and professionals already working in historic preservation and architectural conservation will earn the degree through the university's Continuing and Professional Education program. Students will study and conduct fieldwork side-by-side with Hancock Shaker Village staff and visiting experts on topics such as building restoration, town planning, and historic site administration. A unique highlight will be the special focus on Shaker ideals, building methods, and historic craft and trade knowledge as they apply to modern life.
Ellen Spear, president and CEO of the non-profit historic Village, said, "We think it is important for Hancock Shaker Village to be a leader in training the next generation of preservationists. With our colleagues at the University of Massachusetts, we will offer a program unique to the region and become a regional center for preservation studies. The educational opportunity for conservation professionals is so much more vivid through the use of the Village's historic buildings and landscapes, collections, and archives."
Joel Martin, dean and distinguished professor, UMass Amherst College of Humanities & Fine Arts, said, "This partnership will not only enrich our understanding of the American past, but the partnership itself is entirely cutting edge and innovative. It unites the strengths of a research university's superb scholarly programs in architecture and public history with the unique riches of one of New England's most important historic sites to forge an exceptional learning opportunity for people who value cultural heritage and historic preservation."
Steven Bedford, an architectural historian for more than 20 years with special expertise in cultural resource investigations and management, will direct the new program and teach American Building and Preservation Theory courses. Overall, the new degree program is expected to enroll 10 to 12 students in the first year, later expanding to 25 or 30.
"I'm enthusiastic about working and teaching in such a rich cultural landscape," said Bedford. "I think it's the first instance of a building preservation program located within a National Historic Landmark. Excellent examples of late 18th through early 20th century architecture are right at hand."
Bedford noted that in this era when designers, builders, and architects increasingly seek sustainable and intelligent energy alternatives, Hancock Shaker Village and UMass Amherst will be rediscovering lessons from buildings handed down by "a culture whose principles and ethos were based completely on what we now call sustainability." The new degree program should also help raise awareness of academic research and advanced restoration techniques in the traditional building community, he pointed out.
About Hancock Shaker Village Hancock Shaker Village is one of the most visited cultural venues in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. Visited by nearly 70,000 people annually, the Village brings the Shaker story to life, and preserves it for future generations. It is a center for reflection on the values of principled living that the Shakers embraced – equality, community, sustainability, and responsible land stewardship – that still resonate today. For more information, call 800.817.1137 or see http://www.hancockshakervillage.org
PhDArts offers an international, high-level doctorate in visual arts and design. Each doctoral course of study comprises individual research as well as a doctoral study programme. An appropriate team of supervisors and a suitable research environment is sought for each doctoral candidate.
PhDArts is a collaboration between the Leiden University Academy of Creative and Performing Arts and the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague. For parts of the PhD programme they also collaborate with the Institute for Practice-Based Research in the Arts of the K.U.Leuven.
In research in and through artistic practice, the concepts of knowledge, meaning and sense are closely interwoven. The discursive, verbal component of research is important in gaining insight into and examining this knowledge. Research in art is characterized by interaction with artistic practice: it is an inseparable part of the work of the artist. With research in art (as opposed to research about art, such as art history, for instance) there is no set goal or expected result, any more than there are predetermined general procedures. The outcome of the research is completely open. This openness is a condition for conducting research in art and design.
The PhD student's research is the direct extension of his or her art practice. The outcome is therefore an artistic product, combined with a discursive product, the dissertation, which does justice to the artistic one.
The doctoral study programme is supplemental to the supervision of individual research. The programme consists of six half-day sessions and two workshops, each lasting two weeks, per year.
The candidates are expected to attend the half-day sessions throughout the entire duration of their doctoral study and to attend at least four two-week seminars over the course of their doctoral research period.
Admission and deadlines of application
Prospective PhD candidates can submit an application to the Leiden University Academy of Creative and Performing Arts or the Royal Academy of Arts (KABK) in The Hague.
The entrance examination comprises:
• An assessment of the applicant's portfolio of work and research dossier. These must be submitted before April 30th or October 31st.
• A visit to a studio or exhibition and an interview. This takes place in the months of June and January.
Applicants must have a Master's of Arts Degree or proof of study at a comparable level. The final decision on admission rests with the Leiden University, which will also award the PhD.
The research dossier
Applicants must put together a research dossier for their entrance exam. A form for this is provided on the website: http://www.phdarts.eu/
O prémio Descubrimientos PHE Epson 2009, ganho pela mexicana Alejandra Laviada, é entregue na próxima segunda-feira, dia 22 de Junho, em simultâneo com os Prémios PHotoEspaña 2009 que terá lugar nas Naves del Español de Matadero, em Madrid, conforme nos dá conta a Nota de Prensa de La Fabrica.
Artforum and e-flux are pleased to announce the launch of the Art & Education Papers archive, a new global platform for sharing and distributing research and knowledge in the field of contemporary art.
A&E Papers aims to exponentially widen the accessibility and reach of art historical and critical discourse by hosting a free online platform for the publication and exchange of texts on modern and contemporary art. Art historians, students, critics, and artists alike will have the opportunity to gain access to a far greater and more focused readership than conventional publishing allows, while also enjoying unlimited access to a deep archive of scholarly writing by and for Art & Education's rapidly growing audience, which currently comprises an international network of more than 70,000 visual arts professionals and academics. At a time when the distribution of many forms of knowledge remains confined to small conferences, private seminars, or specialized academic journals, we believe that the broad distribution and exchange of ideas is key to increasing dialogue in all aspects of art production, criticism, and history.
In order to build the A&E Papers database, we are now calling for either new or already existing (published or unpublished, recent or older) scholarly articles from around the world. Texts should be comprehensive, research-based articles focusing on topics in 20th century and contemporary art. Texts may be culled from conference papers, seminar papers, dissertation chapters, etc. We ask that you submit pieces anywhere from 2,000 words to approximately 10,000 words and include a 100 word abstract and full contact information (or publication information for previously published texts). All submissions will be considered for publication on the website.
The NY Arts Beijing Residency Program offers each selected participant a private bedroom, and a shared studio/work space/work-in-progress/project space. The program offers a unique opportunity for participants to work alongside up to three other artists also selected for participation in the program, and in one of the most dynamic art world contexts of all - the city of Beijing. The primary function of the NY Arts Beijing Residency is to provide a communal workspace and project room within the gallery where participants can explore their artistic practices in a new creative environment and community. Additionally, each month artists will have the opportunity to share their work(s)-in-progress during an Open House/Open Project Room event. Similarly, the artist will be listed on the NY Arts Beijing website to promote his or her work(s)-in-progress at the NY Arts Beijing Space/Project Room.
Group shows of 15-20 artists are also desired. Please send your proposal as well as two works and a curriculum vitae from each artist to be included to the above e-mail address. We look forward to seeing your work!
Residência com as despesas de viagem de e para Helsínquia e despesas de alojamento e alimentação incluídas
Local: Helsínquia, Finlândia
Duração: um mês
E:
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W: www.hiap.fi
Oportunidades 
O prémio Descubrimientos PHE Epson 2009, ganho pela mexicana Alejandra Laviada, é entregue na próxima segunda-feira, dia 22 de Junho, em simultâneo com os Prémios PHotoEspaña 2009 que terá lugar nas Naves del Español de Matadero, em Madrid, conforme nos dá conta a Nota de Prensa de La Fabrica.