The School of Visual Art and Design organized a charette from February 22, 2022 at 9 a.m. to February 25, 2022 at 4 p.m. A charette is a days-long period of intense artistic research, production, exhibition, and learning/teaching centered around a specific topic, issue, conflict, or problem. All students involved in SVAD courses were invited to form groups (even groups of one) to develop artworks, presentation materials, exhibitions, and/or other work which pertains to one of the charette topics. The charette was supported by a grant from the DEI Pilot Grant Program of the College of Arts and Sciences.

View the final projects via the virtual SVAD Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Charette Exhibition.

 

"It’s so important to have a space for artists to explore topics of diversity, equity and inclusion, because it opens the discourse on such a wide variety of social issues. There are issues that I didn't think about or understand until seeing some of these projects."
— Liam Owen, senior media arts major

Topics

Students are welcome to form groups around one or more of the topics specified below: 

1. What is structural racism and where do you see or experience it in your daily life?
2. What is white privilege and how would you ‘explain’ it?
3. Respond creatively to a current event of DEI significance.
4. Being bi-racial or multi-racial in a racially polarizing time.
5. Other and Afraid: Living in a state that refused to pass a hate crimes bill
6. Obstacles to (Dis)Ability
7. Identity Issues: Code Switching, Assimilation, and Being Yourself
8. Public Health Inequity for Minority, Immigrant, Rural, and LGBTQ+ People
9. Pride and Spirituality: Being Religious and LGBTQ+
10. When your family rejects you because of whom you love: Orientation, Race, Age, Class, Religion, Politics, etc.

How To Participate

1. On or before February 18, 2022 at 4 p.m., one representative from each student group will fill out an entrance application. This secures your group’s place in the charette. 
2. Starting on February 22, 2022 with a virtual keynote from Dr. Lesley-Ann Noel at 6 p.m., your group will begin work on your proposed project. Register for the link  to the keynote using this RSVP form.
3. On February 23, 2022 by 6 p.m., teams are required to turn in their work-in-progress (a 100 words abstract and two images about their projects) to Google Drive to get feedback from the DEI committee. If teams want to get real-time feedback, they can take part in Zoom midpoint critiques at 6 p.m. on February 23. Please indicate your team's interest in participating in the midpoint critiques in your entrance application, and we will reach out to your team the Friday before the event to schedule your critique.
4. On February 25, 2022 at 4 p.m., your work (or documentation) will be shared with the SVAD DEI committee  to be presented on the SVAD Projects web gallery.  Upload your work to Google Drive using the "Final Projects" folder. 

Support

In an effort to better support student work, the first five groups to sign up will be given a $200 budget to support their creative efforts. See more about this in the entrance application.

Expand allWhat is a charette?

A charette is a days-long period of intense artistic research, production, exhibition, and learning/teaching centered around a specific topic, issue, conflict, or problem.

How do I sign up to participate?

One representative from each group should fill out the entrance application form by February 18 at 4 p.m.

Can I participate if I am not a SVAD major?

You do not have to be a SVAD major to participate. All students involved in SVAD courses are welcome and encouraged to create works that pertain to the charette topics.

Do I have to participate in a group?

No, you are welcome to work individually if you prefer to do so.

Can groups have a faculty mentor or collaborator?

Yes! Reach out to a faculty member your team would like to work with to see if they are willing to participate in a mentor or collaborator capacity. 

Do I have to declare my topic when I sign up?

Yes, you will need to declare your topic(s) and submit an overview of your proposed project (approximately 200 words) in your entrance application.

What kind of work should I create?

Your team has complete creative freedom to develop artworks, presentation materials, exhibitions, and/or other work which pertains to at least one of the charette topics listed above.

How do I know if my group is eligible for the $200 in financial support?

If you are one of the first five groups to sign up, you will be notified by email that your group is eligible to receive the budget. More details and instructions for how to receive your reimbursement will be provided to you in the email.