Do It Yourself: The Theory and Practice of Art and Social Engagement
CEH-GA 3048
Summer Session I, Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-8:30pm. Remote.
The course will engage students in a critical discussion of alternative organizational models, social
justice, and feminism in the context of nonprofit organizations. Some questions this course poses
include: how do you start and run your own independent initiative, whether it’s a publication, an art
gallery, a music venue, or a filmmaker’s co-op? What are the ideas that inspire such initiatives and
how are they channeled or reflected in practice? Throughout the course we will look at models of
such organizations, and discuss the challenges they face, both theoretically and practically, ranging
from strategic planning and project management, to enacting activist politics and feminist
principles. The course features guest lectures by leading figures in various creative industries who
will reflect on their own experiences. By the end of the term, students will have a basic framework
for starting their own initiative, as well of a sense of the broader creative landscape in which they
might engage.
Note: This course is intended as a general overview of issues involved in starting your own project, and is not intended to provide you with specific legal advice. This course should not be construed as all-inclusive nor as the provision of legal services to any individual or entity.