MEDIA ARTS CAREERS: Multi-Media Installations

VOCABULARY

media: the means of mass communication [broadcasting, publishing, and the Internet] regarded collectively
multimedia: a combination of pictures, sounds, and words, used especially in computers or entertainment
public installation: site-specific responses to a physical landscape, topic, or cultural context, usually 3-dimensional, and using a wide range of materials and media to communicate, connect, and inspire those who use the space
grant:  a sum of money given by a government or other organization for a particular purpose
donor: a person who donates something of value to a person or organiation
benefactor: a person who gives money or other help to a person or cause
patron: a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, cause, or activity

An media artist who wants to create & build a PUBLIC INSTALLATION of art, sound, words, etc. is usually aiming to work "BIG"....as they are creating a work  1)THAT WILL BE BUILT IN A PUBLIC SPACE... 2)THAT WILL BE VIEWED & EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF VISITORS & RESIDENTS... 3) THAT WILL NEED FUNDING FROM A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SOURCE.

Refer to the VOCABULARY above before you view the RESOURCE VIDEOS as it will help you understand the artistic AND financial world of artists who aim to create for large, public audiences.  

1.  VIEW each resource video. TAKE NOTES in your sketchbook/notebook, referencing the CITY where this festival/arts event is taking place, the time of year, and WHAT YOU ESPECIALLY LIKE or DON'T LIKE about the media arts installations in each video.  Write at least 4 complete sentences about each separate video.  
2. Visit the website for THE SOUTH CAROLINA ARTS COMMISSION. Click on different areas of the site to familiarize yourself with what is included. Look at the section for GRANT/FUNDING , and also what is expected on an application to become an APPROVED ARTIST.  This designation helps artists receive funding to teach in schools, construct public arts installations for cities, parks, etc.   Get familiar with what is required.
3. Visit the website for SPOLETO USA [spoletousa.org], and notice the opportunities for APPRENTICESHIPS included in the website.  Even though this is more of a festival featuring theatre, music, dance, and visual arts, there could be amazing opportunities to be inspired and get connected through working at a festival of this stature. MAKE NOTES ON THE SPOLETO FESTIVAL in your notebook; anything that looks exciting or inspiring to you!
4.  Visit the website for the arts festival in Greenville, SC, called ARTISPHERE [artisphere.org] . Watch the video included about ARTS IN ACTION, also COMMUNAL SCULPTURE, and COLLABORATIVE EVENTS.  These are not the same type of "installation events" that you viewed from the BLINK festival, but it will give you an idea of things that ARE GOING ON IN S.C. and could possibly give you creative food for thought about future projects you could invent!

1.  You will write a complete resume that includes:
*contact information 
* a description of all arts experiences you have participated in at school, in church, with community theatre or other community groups
* a description of any experiences you have had building/creating media artworks on your own or in group settings
* any plans to learn helpful technologies, such as electrical skills, construction skills [may be helpful to mount platforms for projectors, sound speakers, etc.]
* a "wish list" of experiences you would truly enjoy and learn from involving media arts; [visiting BLINK?, working as a helper with a media artist who is setting up his/her installation, etc?]
* Type it up & print it out. Decide what experiences you need to attempt, in order to "grow" your media artist skills. Read it often and see if you are "sitting still" or "making steps forward" toward your goals.

2. You are going to either BUILD or DRAW  a "model" of an installation that you are submitting to a city or town of your choice.
*BEGIN by writing a PROJECT DESCRIPTION, detailing why your installation will be FUN & possibly educational for the citizens of the area [These kinds of descriptions help artists receive the funds they need and be hired on a regular basis.] Note whether the project will be installed in a park, ampitheatre, in a specific downtown area, etc. [REMEMBER: you're "making up" these details, but in real life you'd need to be specific to help "sell" the project you're proposing! ]

*If you are drawing a replica of your project, use your sketchpad and colored pencils, also using magazine pictures that will enhance the installation. 
OR:
* If you are building a miniature model of your installation, construct it on a base of wood or cardboard, build it with poster board, & utilize magazine pictures, cardboard, popsicle sticks,drinking straws, pipe stems, etc...ANY THING that will bring your vision to life in a 3-dimensional way! 

3. LAST STEP:  Whether DRAWING or CONSTRUCTING the project: 
*Provide music /sound that will accompany your exhibit, or specify what that will be.
*Describe any lighting, live film, animation, etc. that will be a part of your installation. 
*NAME your installation! Be creative! Remember the advertising slogan..."Sell the 'sizzle', not the steak!"