Instructor: Nita Sturiale
Email: nsturiale at massart dot edu
Office hours: by apt.

Many of the course materials, important schedule changes, and appropriate links are online via the following URL www.nitasturiale.com/massart. Please check the online syllabus linked from this page often throughout the semester.

Course Description:

This course is for those that are actively involved in organizing and producing events and exhibitions throughout the year. It is required for Eventworks Producers and Godine Family Gallery Managers. Students will meet with the instructor one on one throughout the semester, additionally the class will meet periodically as a group to discuss general production issues. It is also open to those not involved in Eventworks or Godine Gallery but that have another event(s) in mind. By permission of instructor. This is a one-year long course.

Course Objectives:

The goals of this course are: to provide an opportunity to earn college credit for work involved with producing events outside the school academic structure; to learn the skills necessary to write a project proposal, realistic timelines, budgets and financial records; to practice interacting with the neccesary support staff needed to produce events; to provide students practice in articulating their intentions, questions and artistic goals; and to suggest resources for researching solutions and answers after leaving school.

• Be present in body - come to class on time - more than two unexcused absences, or chronic lateness may result in a NC grade,
• Be present in mind and mouth - participate in class discussion and critique sessions,
• Participate in group exercises when applicable,
• Read the readings and be prepared to discuss them in class.  
• Complete all assignments (see below) by the due date - if you can't make the due date, discuss an extension with Nita.  End of the semester grades of INC are not automatic just because you haven't finished your work - you may request one with good reasons and with two weeks notice before the last class.

1.

Prepare and sign a contract with me that will be used to asses your final grade for the course. The required componants of this contract include:

• A brief description of your Event/Project;
• A timeline (should cover fall and spring semester);
• A contact list of your production team if known (including yourself);
• your signature;
• A list of activities you will engage in throughout both semesters (this includes the proposal, 2 apts, financial projections, press release and progress report indicated below). You may add other activities and goals specific to your project - some suggestions include a photo portfolio of your event, letters of intent from participants, mid-term progress report, a list of all the people you have helped you in some way, project poster/website/radio spots, publicity documents, etc.

Sept 18

2.

Create an project proposal and description, including visuals, a budget draft, production team roles and responsibilities, and examples of other similar events if they exist. This proposal should include a thoughtful explanation of the artistic vision of your event and how this vision relates to the current cultural environment. [If you are working in a group, your group may hand in one proposal - but it must be clear who did what and each group member should have a copy of this proposal and know it well.] The document itself should be attractive and well-organized - the kind of document you would feel confident using in a grant application.

Oct 2

3.

2 Individual appointments with Nita - these will occur throughout the semester starting October 2.

Ongoing

4.

Initial Financial Projections (including expenditures and income)

Follow these links for simple examples of a budgets - www.mcf.org/mcf/grant/budget2.htm or MS Excel template

Oct 16

Mid-Term Self-Evaluation
www.nitasturiale.com/massart/eval/mideval.html

6.

Press Release for your events(s)

Follow this link for some examples - www.bostoncyberarts.org/home_pr_index.php

Nov 20

Project Progress Report

Dec 4

7.

Final Self-Evaluation
www.nitasturiale.com/massart/eval/finaleval.html

Dec 11

• 2 individual appointments with faculty
• Final Financial Statement and year-end report
• Project Portfolio that includes documentation of all or part of your event(s)
• Mid and Final Self-Evaluation.

Follow this link for examples of final year-end reports and financial statements - afterburn.burningman.com/

About Grades:

This is a Pass/Fall class. You'll pass if you meet the requirements and complete all the assignments on time. The grade of Honors is reserved for those that go far above and beyond the requirements in the instructor's view (they never miss a class, bring in additional resources pertaining to the topic, create projects that exceed expectations, consistently and thoughtfully engage in conversations by listening to classmates and extending the quality of discussion, etc). The grade of INC is awarded based on your conversation with the faculty and at their discretion, at least two weeks before the last class.

Additional Thoughts:

Our goal is to learn things we don't already know towards the long-term goal of being effective and articulate artists. The instructors' responsibilities are to present information and provocations in a structured environment that will help your learning process. Your responsibility is to participate in this environment fully by voicing your interests, thoughts, and questions as well as listening to your classmates. Class participation, discussion and attention is fundamental and required. Learning takes patience, tolerance, a sense of humor and a willingness to try new things without fear.

Sept 11

Sept 18

Oct 2

Oct 9

Oct 16

Oct 23

Oct 30

Nov 6

Nov 13

Nov 20

Nov 27

Dec 4

Dec 11