As part of the degree we have a module called "Career in Practice" This module consists of us creating a file about professional practice taken from research and notes from lectures and talks from visiting artists. Another major part of this module is creating a portfolio that we can use when we have finished the degree. We are asked to either pretend to, or actually make an application for some funding or exhibition, residency, job opportunity, proposals, in fact anything that we feel would benefit our own professional practice.
The Portfolio includes a covering letter, CV, proposal, Artist statement, images and fact sheet. This is assessed in May. We hand it in 2 days before our degree show starts.
For my part I haven't decided what my application is for yet. I keep looking around for the ideal opportunity. I am working on the CV, statement and images at the moment.
We are also required as part of the degree to hand in proposals for our final degree show by the end of this Month. These have to be quite detailed with technical drawings with the exact measurements. We have to considered all requirements from helpers to materials and lighting to budgets.
All this written work as well as producing the art for the final show is keeping me really busy. I'm having to be really organised and I'm trying to manage my time more productively.
Outside of the University arena I am also looking to prepare myself for once I have left the institution, sorting out groups and networking, enquiring about studios and applying for exhibitions and competitions, creating a web-site and promotional material, looking for opportunities to allow me to make a living when the student loan has dried up and the university safety net has been pulled away.
I was reading other degree blogs and I was surprised to read that some students are having to do their dissertation alongside everything else that is needed to be done in this last semester. I feel really lucky that at Derby we have to complete our Dissertation by Mid January. (although I didn't at the time) I really don't know how I would cope if I had to do it now.
