Call for Students: The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation Global Experience Project 2020

group shot of GEP 2019 students
Friday, January 10, 2020 - 5:00pm

The Global Experience Project (GEP)

The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation Global Experience Project (GEP) is centred on an immersive studio-based course that allows OCAD U students to work with pre-eminent artists and other notable scholars in dynamic, international contexts, in Toronto and abroad. A trailblazing initiative, GEP is designed to explore and build Canada’s prominence in global communities of art and culture. Piloted in 2017, GEP brought renowned British artist Isaac Julien to OCAD U. In 2018 & 2019, GEP hosted Brazilian artist and activist Maria Thereza Alves. During these first iterations of GEP, OCAD U students were given the opportunity to participate in experiential learning opportunities in Toronto, Buffalo, NY, London, UK and Naples, Italy. In 2020, OCAD U students selected for the program will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa to engage with Zanele Muholi.

GEP 2020

The GEP 2020 program unfolds in two parts:

Part 1: Zanele Muholi Artist Residency

May 2020

OCAD U will bring Zanele Muholi to Toronto for a 4-week residency program, in May. The international artist residency is uniquely designed to coincide with a program of events on the OCAD U campus, and in locations across Toronto. The event series, known as Community Studios, will engage GEP 2020 students, OCAD U students and OCAD U faculty from all disciplines, as well as members of Canada’s artistic community.

GEP 2020 students are expected to attend scheduled Community Studios. These events are open to all OCAD U students and faculty, and invited community members.

Part 2: GEP Course, CROS-3016, Global Experience Project

Summer 2020 / Instructors: Johanna Householder & Dr. Glen Lowry

Pre-Requisite: 8.0 Credits, Good Academic Standing (70% average min.)

Open to OCAD U Undergraduate and Graduate Students

In Summer Semester (May-June 2020), students enrolled in the dedicated GEP course will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa to visit Muholi’s studio and professional gallery. Student airfare and accommodations are generously supported by the Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation Global Experience Project. The international travel experience will be followed by an exhibition of new work by the GEP 2020 students at a gallery on the OCAD U campus, in late summer or fall 2020.

How to Apply:

Applicants should submit a letter of interest, a portfolio and CV. In the letter, outline the ways in which this international opportunity is relevant to your creative practice. Special attention will be given to applicants whose work explores thematic and conceptual issues investigated by the artist Zanele Muholi. All applicants are encouraged to research the artist.

Please direct any questions about the course to John Rubino, Assistant, Outreach & International Projects, Faculty of Art.

Submission Package:

1/ Portfolio: 10 images accompanied by relevant context information about the artworks

2/ Letter of Interest: maximum 500 words.

3/ Artist Statement

4/ Curriculum Vitae

Please note that this 300-level course requires completion of 8.0 credits and Good Academic Standing (70% average or above)

A class of up to 10 students will be selected through this application process. Applications will be adjudicated by the lead faculty, the Dean of the Faculty of Art, and a previous GEP particpant.

Applications should be submitted in a single PDF file to John Rubino, Assistant, Outreach and International Projects, at jrubino@ocadu.ca by Sunday, January 19, 2020 (extended deadline).

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend a GEP Information Session.

Info Session 1:

Tuesday, December 10, 12:00 -1:30 p.m.

100 McCaul St., room 258

Info Session 2:

Tuesday, January 14, 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.

100 McCaul St., room 258

 

About the Artist

Muholi came to prominence in the early 2000s with photographs that sought to envision black lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex lives beyond deviance or victimhood. Muholi’s work challenges hetero-patriarchal ideologies and representations, presenting the participants in their photographs as confident and beautiful individuals bravely existing in the face of prejudice, intolerance and, frequently, violence.” –  Tate Modern

Website: 
https://www.ocadu.ca/academics/faculty-of-art/globalexperience.htm
Email: 
jrubino@ocadu.ca
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