Table Of Contentg. James daichendt D
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SCHOLAR
Reflections on
WRiting and ReseaRch
Artist Scholar: Reflections on Writing and
Research is part history, introduction, and A
discussion for artists and designers entering, R
graduating, and employed by the contempo- T
rary art academy in the United States. The I
S
evolution of art education in the university
T
continues to expand in the 21st century as the
variables of craft, skill, technique, theory, his-
S
tory and criticism shift and expand as the per-
C
spective of arts-based research is introduced
H
into this professionalized environment. Given
O
this context: what can M.F.A. students do to
improve their understanding of writing and L
research without sacrificing their commitment A
to their studio art process? Through a series R
of essays, the text argues for better writing at
the M.F.A. level with the purpose of becoming
better artists. By contextualizing art practice
in the university and providing a foundation
for future artist scholarship, it serves as an
g. James daichendt
invitation to artist scholars to push their work
further and develop the confidence to situate
ARTIST
their art in the university context.
SCHOLAR
ISBN 978-1-84150-487-2
0 0
Reflections on
9 781841 504872
WRiting and ReseaRch
intellect | www.intellectbooks.com
This work is indispensable to any artist, inside or outside the academy, who
wishes to understand the historical and cultural roots of the contemporary view
that research and art making are inextricable. What makes Daichendt’s argu-
ment potentially generative for artists is that it is centered in the author’s belief
that research and writing can be powerful ways of strengthening and deepen-
ing artistic production. The reader will find a broad range of clear and usefully
provocative insights that frame research not a substitute for art making, but as
a tool for better art making.
— Nick Jaffe, musician, teaching artist,
Chief Editor of the Teaching Artist Journal
“In Artist Scholar, Daichendt makes a genuine break through in the discourse of
art and artists in education and is by the far the most useful book yet in helping
to articulate and map this previously under researched area of art education”
— Diarmuid McAuliffe
Artist Teacher, Master of Education Programme Leader
University of the West of Scotland, UK
As an artist, scholar and educator, Daichendt draws upon his research and per-
sonal experiences to present the importance of reflective writing in graduate
visual art studio programs. His insights about how the MFA candidate can use
visual and verbal scholarship methods to enhance their own and others un-
derstanding of the art-making process make a significant contribution to the
literature about university art education.
— Judith W. Simpson, Ph.D.
Director of the MA in Art Education on-line program
Boston University
Artist Scholar provides fuel to the artist who functions in an academic setting
to support their work in the studio as a type of research and scholarship. It is
refreshing to read Daichendt’s affirmation of the deep and intrinsic connections
the artist can make in their studios and how MFA students may harness this
knowledge though observing, thinking and writing.
— William Catling, MFA
Director, MFA in Visual Art
Azusa Pacific University
“This book will be of value to anyone interested in the position of graduate-level
art study in U. S. universities, especially to those who desire a stronger relation-
ship between art, writing, and scholarship.”
— Margaret Lazzari
Professor, Roski School of Fine Arts
University of Southern California
Artist Scholar
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AWrthiys Wt eS Mchakoel aArrt:
at why it is taught
Reflections on Writing and Research
by G. James Daichendt
by Richard Hickman
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Daichendt, G. James.
Artist scholar: reflections on writing and research / G. James Daichendt.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-84150-487-2 (pbk.)
1. Art in universities and colleges. 2. Art--Study and teaching (Graduate) 3. Art-
Research--Methodology. 4. Art students. I. Title.
N345.D24 2011
707.2--dc22
2011011407
First published in the UK in 2012 by Intellect,
The Mill, Parnall Road, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3JG, UK
First published in the USA in 2012 by Intellect, The University of Chicago Press,
1427 E. 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Copyright © 2012 Intellect Ltd
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Copy editor: Macmillan
Cover photo: Kent Anderson Butler
Cover design: Holly Rose
Typesetting: John Teehan
ISBN 978–1–84150–487–2
EISBN 978-1-84150-606-7
Printed and bound by Hobbs, Tatton, Hampshire, UK
For Rachel, Samantha,
Trey, and Logan
vii
Artist Scholar
viii
Contents
Preface: Scholarship and Art’s Ambiguous Objects xi
by John Baldacchino
Introduction 1
Chapter 1: Artists and Scholarship 5
Basic language on research and the arts 11
Universities and arts research 16
Playing the cello in a marching band 18
Artistic scholarship 21
References 23
Chapter 2: The Professionalization of the Visual Arts 25
A history of art education 25
The foundation of university art departments and the art major 25
Growth in university education 29
Origins of the American art department 31
Intellectualism of art making 35
Teaching to research 37
The M.F.A. degree 39
Art history lends a hand 41
References 44
Chapter 3: The Status of Artistic Scholarship 47
Research through practice 47
Going forward with M.F.A. scholarship 50
Practice-led research 54
References 57
