CAA News Today
CAA Offers Travel Grants to Chicago Conference
posted by Lauren Stark — July 24, 2009
Although funds are minimal, CAA will offer a limited number of Annual Conference Travel Grants to graduate students in art history and studio art and to international artists and scholars. Travel grants are funded solely by donations from CAA members—please contribute today. Charitable contributions are 100 percent tax deductible.
Graduate Student Conference Travel Grant
This $150 grant is awarded to a limited number of advanced PhD and MFA graduate students as partial reimbursement of expenses for travel to the 2010 Annual Conference in Chicago. To qualify for the grant, students must be current CAA members. Candidates should include a completed application form, a brief statement by the student stipulating that he or she has no external support for travel to the conference, and a letter of support from the student’s adviser or head of department. For an application and more information, please contact Lauren Stark, CAA manager of programs, at 212-691-1051, ext. 248. Send application materials to: Lauren Stark, Graduate Student Conference Travel Grant, CAA, 275 Seventh Ave., 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Deadline: September 25, 2009.
International Member Conference Travel Grant
CAA presents a $500 grant to a limited number of artists or scholars from outside the United States as partial reimbursement of expenses for travel to the 2010 Annual Conference in Chicago. To qualify for the grant, applicants must be current CAA members. Candidates should include a completed application form, a brief statement by the applicant stipulating that he or she has no external support for travel to the conference, and two letters of support. For an application form and additional information, please contact Lauren Stark, CAA manager of programs, at 212-691-1051, ext. 248. Send materials to: Lauren Stark, International Member Conference Travel Grant, CAA, 275 Seventh Ave., 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Deadline: September 25, 2009.
Getty Posts Session Audio from 2009 CAA Conference
posted by Emmanuel Lemakis — July 23, 2009
The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles has posted free audio recordings from eight 2009 Annual Conference sessions that took place at the Getty Center and Getty Villa. The audio can be streamed online or downloaded for playback on a computer or MP3 player. File sizes range from 41 to 142 MB.
Here are the sessions:
- “That Captured Instant of Time: Realism and Drama in Baroque Sculpture,” chaired by Catherine Hess
- “Luxury Devotional Books and Their Female Owners,” chaired by Thomas Kren and Richard Leson
- “What We Talk about When We Talk about Artist’s Books,” chaired by Marcia Reed
- “European Drawings, 1400–1900,” chaired by Lee Hendrix and Stephanie Schrader
- “Networks and Boundaries,” chaired by Thomas Gaehtgens
- “Cabinet Pictures in Seventeenth-Century Europe,” chaired by Andreas Henning
- “The Medieval Manuscript Transformed,” chaired by Kristen Collins and Christine Sciacca
- “The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria,” chaired by Karol Wight
The sessions are among several Highlights of Past Programs, which also include videos of interviews with the artists Jim Dine and Robert Irwin. The Getty’s Museum Symposia section makes available papers from a 2006 symposium, “Looking at the Landscapes: Courbet and Modernism.”
CAA offers audio recordings from many other 2009 conference sessions, as well as from other recent conferences. Please visit CAA’s Conference Audio Recordings for more information.
2009 Member Survey Results
posted by Michael Fahlund — July 16, 2009
As part of information-gathering pursuant to the preparation of CAA’s 2010–2015 Strategic Plan, a 2009 member survey was developed, coordinated, and carried out by a team under the leadership of Elizabeth Knapp, vice president in the Research Division of the marketing firm Leo Burnett Worldwide, to determine member preferences, awareness of CAA publications and programs, and motivations for joining and renewing membership.
In total, 1,451 CAA members responded to the online survey, a response rate of 11 percent (which is within an acceptable range for statistical analysis). The final sample was then weighted to accurately reflect the total CAA membership based on membership type. The results are an enlightening view into CAA members’ views and opinions, revealing important strengths but also giving direction to how the organization can use the next strategic plan to improve its programs and services.
Demographically speaking, CAA members are more likely to be female (70 percent), within the age range of 35–49 (34 percent), Caucasian (87 percent), and in academic settings (73 percent), and to have ten years or more of professional experience (48 percent).
The top three reasons individuals gave for joining CAA and renewing their memberships were for job postings (69 percent), networking (54 percent), and debate in the visual arts (50 percent).
CAA is perceived as most relevant to art historians (78 percent agree). From artist members, enthusiasm for ARTspace at the Annual Conference was one of the higher-ranking areas of interest (61 percent). CAA is viewed as a well-known organization among peers (75 percent agree) and a well-run organization (51 percent agree). Members who responded to the question about CAA’s roles believe the most important are advocacy for artists, art historians, and university art museums (24 percent), a conference provider (21 percent), and a leader of creative and intellectual discourse (17 percent). The most common contact points between members and CAA are through publications and emails. The Art Bulletin has the strongest reputation among members (64 percent). The most used features of the CAA website are membership renewal (76 percent), conference registration (70 percent), and CAA News (60 percent). At least half the members also visit the CAA website regularly. A near majority of members (45 percent) have interest in social networking through CAA.
The CAA Annual Conference is perceived as important for networking (68 percent) and career development (62 percent), an opportunity for intellectual exchange about the visual arts (58 percent), and relevant to professional development (53 percent). At the conference, members mostly likely attend sessions (76 percent), the Book and Trade Fair (65 percent), and, as noted above, ARTspace (61 percent). The most popular conference topics are criticism and theory (33 percent) and contemporary art history (31 percent).
The most popular publication topics for the future are curriculum development for teaching studio and art-history courses; legal and copyright issues in publishing; career-development strategies; and standards and guidelines in the visual arts in academia. Members agree that digital publications are valuable because they can be searched online (76 percent), are environmentally friendly (71 percent), can expand readership and distribution (59 percent), and can include dynamic content (56 percent). Members are undecided on the future of digital publications, but 49 percent of respondents do not favor online, non–peer reviewed publications.
CAA continues to advocate on issues of importance to members and to the visual arts. Among these, members feel that full-time vs. adjunct status is most important (50 percent), followed by intellectual-property issues (38 percent) and salary equity (39 percent).
In efforts to increase its visibility and recognition for the programs and services it provides, CAA is eager to know how members react to or view its name. While some members felt that the name “College Art Association” or “CAA” is not descriptive of what the organization does, or that it does not fit the mission, 65 percent believe that the name is understood in the field of visual arts. Name recognition and identity will be assessed as part of CAA’s communications activities in the strategic plan.
Other directions gathered from this survey that will be addressed in the strategic plan are to: 1) increase programming and publications for artists; 2) attract more young professionals; 3) increase the diversity of members; 4) increase career-development sessions at the conference; 5) increase interactive communications; 6) develop practical peer-reviewed publications; and 7) continue working on advocacy issues, particularly related to adjunct faculty.
CAA thanks its members for participating in this recent survey. Comments and responses have been extremely helpful and are being used to guide changes and improvements in the organization’s services.
CAA Receives a Second NEA Grant
posted by Christopher Howard — July 09, 2009
In addition to yesterday’s grant announcement, CAA is proud to report a second grant received from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). As part of the Access to Artistic Excellence program, the NEA awarded $20,000 to CAA in May 2009 to support ARTspace at the 2010 Annual Conference in Chicago. Designed to engage artist members, ARTspace sessions are offered free of charge and include live interviews with prominent artists; film, video, and multimedia screenings; performances; and presentations.
The NEA website has posted a list of all recipients of the Access to Artistic Excellence grant in the category of visual arts.
Submit a Session Proposal for the 2011 Annual Conference
posted by Emmanuel Lemakis — July 01, 2009
Individual CAA members may submit a session proposal for the centennial Annual Conference, taking place February 9–12, 2011, in New York. Proposals should cover the breadth of current thought and research in art, art and architectural history, theory and criticism, pedagogical issues, museum and curatorial practice, conservation, and developments in technology.
The Annual Conference Committee welcomes session proposals that include the work of established artists and scholars, along with that of younger scholars, emerging and midcareer artists, and graduate students. Particularly welcome are those sessions that highlight interdisciplinary work. Artists are especially encouraged to propose sessions appropriate to dialogue and information exchange relevant to artists.
Session proposals are only accepted online; paper forms and postal mailings are not required. To set up an account, please email Lauren Stark, CAA manager of programs, who will register your email address and provide you with a password. For full details on the submission process, please visit Chair a Conference Session. Deadline: September 1, 2009; no late applications are accepted.
CAA Receives Terra Grant for Distinguished Scholar Sessions
posted by Christopher Howard — June 29, 2009
CAA has been awarded a $42,800 grant from the Terra Foundation for American Art to support the Distinguished Scholar Sessions at the 2010 and 2014 Annual Conferences, both of which will take place in Chicago, Illinois. The purpose of the sessions is to celebrate the contributions of distinguished scholars and curators of art through panels that will bring together an honoree and five participants.
The first Distinguished Scholar Session, which took place at the 2001 conference—also held in Chicago—honored James S. Ackerman. Other illustrious past honorees include Svetlana Alpers (2009) Robert L. Herbert (2008), Linda Nochlin (2007), John Szarkowski (2006), Richard Brilliant (2005), James Cahill (2004), Phyllis Pray Bober (2003), and Leo Steinberg (2002).
The Terra Foundation for American Art, based in Chicago, Illinois, is dedicated to promoting the exploration, understanding, and enjoyment of the visual arts of the United States. With financial resources of more than $200 million and an exceptional collection of American art from the Colonial era to 1945, it is one of the world’s leading foundations focused on American art and devotes approximately $9 million annually in support of American-art exhibitions, projects, and research.
CAA 2009–10 Operating Budget Reductions
posted by Linda Downs — May 11, 2009
Updated May 14, 2009.
Like most universities, art museums, and learned societies, CAA has been significantly affected by the global economic downturn. The Board of Directors made difficult decisions at its May 2009 meeting that nevertheless will allow CAA to maintain the high quality of member services and programming. Strategic reductions and other measures have been instituted throughout the association to balance the budget and keep core programs, publications, and services in operation. With this careful financial planning, CAA remains dedicated to supporting members and the visual-arts community at large through our advocacy, career services, publications, and conference.
Annual Conference
The 2010 Annual Conference in Chicago will commence on Wednesday evening, February 10, with Convocation and the Gala Reception. All 120 planned sessions will be presented over the following three days, Thursday, February 11 to Saturday, February 13, with the addition of extended evening hours. No sessions will take place on Wednesday.
Publications
Newsletter: Beginning July 2009, CAA News will only be distributed online in a new reader-friendly design. This allows us to save printing and mailing costs and help to preserve coverage of core programs and publications. CAA’s website, www.collegeart.org, will become the primary hub of up-to-date information on the organization.
Journals: CAA’s longtime support of the journals is absolutely central to the mission, and the association is fully committed to maintaining them now and in the future. The Art Bulletin and Art Journal will continue to be published. Illustrations, however, will be limited to black and white for 2009–10, except where editorial and budget decisions may allow the insertion of color. caa.reviews will be unchanged, with new book reviews, exhibition reviews, and conference and symposia reports published regularly. While the CAA Board of Directors has determined the budget restrictions necessary for this part of the association, the editors-in-chief will work closely with staff and editorial boards to make sure that any further reductions are implemented with a strict attention to quality consistent with the identity and mission of the journals.
Grants and Fellowships
Two programs in CAA’s grant-making arm will be suspended for 2009–10: the Professional Development Fellowship Program for graduate students and the Millard Meiss Publication Fund. However, the Annual Conference Travel Grants and the Wyeth Foundation for American Art Publication Grant will both continue, and the CAA Annual Exhibitions, also funded by a grant, will take place at the Chicago and New York conferences.
CAA Thanks 2009 Conference Mentors
posted by Emmanuel Lemakis — April 27, 2009
CAA wishes to thank the artists, art historians, curators, critics, and educators who generously served during Career Services at the 2009 Annual Conference as mentors for the Artists’ Portfolio Review and Career Development Mentoring, as leaders of the Professional Development Roundtable Discussions, as presenters of the Career Development Workshops, and as speakers at Orientation.
Artists’ Portfolio Review
Michael Bzdak, Sue Canning, Carole Garmon, Les Joynes, Jason Lahr, Marius Lehene, Suzanne Lemakis, Meg Linton, Holly Morrison, Margaret Murphy, Alastair Noble, Liz Roth, Richard Tichich.
Career Development Mentoring
Becca Albee, Pam Aloisa, Susan Altman, Michael Aurbach, Lucinda Bliss, Sally Cornelison, Connie Cortez, Julie Nelson Davis, Carole Gorman, Reni Gower, Julie Green, Randall C. Griffin, Courtney Grim, Richard Heipp, Jim Hopfensperger, Dennis Y. Ichiyama, Arthur Jones, Heather McPherson, Mary McInnes, David Raizman, David Sokol, Steve Teczar, Ann Tsubota, Jaime Ursic.
Roundtable Leaders
Susan Altman, Michael Aurbach, Sally Block, Diane Burko, Nicola Courtright, Diane Edison, Suzanne Lemakis, Harold Linton, Andrea Polli, Norie Sato, Marie Thibeault.
Career Development Workshops
Barbara Bernstein, Steven Bleicher, Mika Cho, David Dombrosky, Kate Kuykendall, Harold Linton, David Sokol.
Orientation
Michael Aurbach, Irina D. Costache, Margaret Lazzari, David Sokol.
Session Audio from Los Angeles Conference Available
posted by Emmanuel Lemakis — March 26, 2009
“Toward an Art Pedagogy for the Twenty-First Century,” “Torture, Extraordinary Renditions, and the Aesthetics of Disappearance,” and “About Face: Portrait, Mask, and Facial Expression in Mesoamerica and the Andes, 6000 BC–AD 1600”—these are titles of only three of the many exciting sessions from the 2009 Annual Conference in Los Angeles. They are also available as audio recordings from Conference Media. Nearly eighty sessions—including special Saturday sessions hosted by the Feminist Art Project—are included.
A set of MP3 audio recordings from the conference is available for only $149.95, either as a download or on interactive CD-ROMs. Individual sessions, available only as downloads, are $24.95 each. Please visit Conference Media to view the list of sessions and to order.
Whether you took part in, attended, or missed a particular conference session, these recordings are a must-have for your library, research, or teaching. Listen to them while walking across campus, while driving in your car or using public transportation, or while relaxing in your home.
You can also purchase session audio recordings from the 2006–8 conferences in Boston, New York, and Dallas–Fort Worth.
Photo: A 2009 Annual Conference session (photograph by Brad Marks)
2010 Call for Participation Published
posted by Lauren Stark — February 23, 2009
The 98th Annual Conference will take place February 10–13, 2010, in Chicago, Illinois, the first time since 2001. Listing more than 120 sessions, the 2010 Call for Participation, which you can download now as a PDF, will arrive in the mailboxes of all individual and institutional CAA members in March 2009.
This twenty-four-page publication describes many of next year’s panels and presentations. CAA and session chairs invite your participation: please follow the instructions in the booklet to submit a proposal for a paper or presentation. This publication also includes a call for Poster Session proposals and describes the Open Forms sessions.
In addition to attending and participating in the wide-ranging panels on art history, studio art, contemporary issues, and professional and educational practices, CAA expects participation from many area schools, museums, galleries, and other art institutions. The Hyatt Regency Chicago is the conference hotel, holding most sessions and panels, Career Services and the Book and Trade Fair, receptions and special events, and more. Deadline: May 8, 2009.