Workshops on job hunting, portfolio and résumé preparation, and other professional-development topics are offered on Wednesday, February 9–Friday, February 11, on the Concourse Level of the Hilton New York.
Limited Workshop Availability
Registration has been reopened for the following Professional Development Workshops:
Job Hunt 101: Essential Steps in Securing a Job in the Arts
Wednesday, 2:30–4:30 PM, $45
Living Your Way: Planning for Retirement
Thursday, 12:30–1:30 PM, $30
Advice for New Instructors
Thursday, 2:30–4:00 PM, $45
Staying on Track with the Tenure Track
Friday, 2:00–4:00 PM, $45
Marketing Yourself to Market Your Art
Friday, 2:00–4:30 PM, $45
To register for a workshop visit the second floor registration area.
There are no refunds on Professional Development Workshop registrations.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Job Hunt 101: Essential Steps in Securing a Job in the Arts
2:30–4:30 PM
Presenter: David M. Sokol, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois, Chicago
Concourse G, Concourse Level, Hilton New York
Learn the essentials of a successful job hunt in the arts. This workshop is valuable for both artists and art historians; it is scheduled at the beginning of the conference because it offers good preparation for Career Services, guiding you through professional practices of the job search, including interview etiquette, preparation of materials, and other essential information to prepare you for your next job opportunity, especially a first job in the arts. This is the time to ask the questions you have always wondered about concerning the ins and outs of looking for a job in the arts.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Grant Writing for Artists
9:30 AM–NOON
Presenter: Barbara Bernstein, Rhode Island School of Design and Virginia Center for the Creative Arts
Concourse E, Concourse Level, Hilton New York
This workshop demystifies the process of grant writing for both individual artists and collaborative projects. In a step-by-step approach, it covers the complete cycle of grant writing, including preparative research, interaction with funders, budget development, writing proposals, and assessment of the process.
Living Your Way: Planning for Retirement
12:30–1:30 PM
Presenter: Kim Potvin, Financial Advisor and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
Concourse E, Concourse Level, Hilton New York
What is the cost of your retirement? Will your pension be enough? This seminar will discuss these questions with an emphasis on how you can create a retirement income “game plan” that incorporates sound investment strategies and current retirement realities. I will help provide strategies on how you can effectively generate income and prepare for some of the biggest challenges that people may now face in retirement.
Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. This material was not intended or written to be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. Individuals are urged to consult their personal tax or legal advisors to understand the tax and related consequences of any actions or investments described herein.
Advice for New Instructors
2:30–4:00 PM
Presenter: Mika Cho, California State University, Los Angeles
Concourse G, Concourse Level, Hilton New York
As with any new position, beginning and/or inexperienced instructors in higher education will find challenges to be both exhilarating and perhaps initially overwhelming. Negotiating matters such as pedagogical performance, the collegial support system, student evaluations, professional development, and the retention and tenure process can all prove daunting. Issues to be presented and discussed include the following: constructing an effective syllabus; interaction with students, colleagues, and administrators; the importance of university policy on ownership of instructional and professional materials; plagiarism, student disabilities, grievances, and sexual harassment; and grading and student evaluation.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11
The Syllabus: Mapping Out Your Semester
9:30–11:30 AM
Presenter: Steven Bleicher, Coastal Carolina University
Concourse E, Concourse Level, Hilton New York
The syllabus is a contract with the student. It should clearly state what is expected of the student and the professor’s requirements for the course. In addition, various accrediting bodies and associations have their own requirements that may need to be addressed. Learn what should go into a syllabus and how to break down the course content into individual class sessions. The components of an effective lesson plan, and how to use it as a successful teaching document, will also be discussed. Issues to be addressed include how much can actually be accomplished in a single class period, what homework and/or preparations are needed for the next class session, classroom management issues, and strategies for success. A well-constructed syllabus can be a valuable teaching tool and an aid to the faculty member regarding student grade disputes. This course is invaluable for graduate TAs, recent MFA graduates who have just landed their first teaching positions, and anyone who would like a refresher on the finer points of setting up the term’s classes.
Staying on Track with the Tenure Track
2:00–4:00 PM
Presenter: Michael Aurbach, Vanderbilt University
Concourse G, Concourse Level, Hilton New York
Now that barely 30 percent of teaching positions are held by tenured and tenure-track faculty, a successful probationary period (pretenure) is even more important. Since the academic world is fluid (because of frequent changes of administrators and university policies), tenure-track faculty need to develop sound strategies to make the most of the probationary period. The workshop covers the documentation of one’s activities, gaining an understanding of terms like regional, national, and international recognition, developing nationwide relationships in preparation for the tenure review, and identifying nonadversarial ways of getting clarification of job expectations. Some institutions are great at identifying their criteria for promotion, yet others lag behind due to frequent changes in leadership and shifting thresholds for tenure. This session is useful for both studio faculty and art historians who hold tenure-track positions. Those who are seeking a tenure-track position will find it interesting as well.
Marketing Yourself to Market Your Art
2:00–4:30 PM
Presenter: Susan Schear, ArtIsIn
Concourse E, Concourse Level, Hilton New York
Are you comfortable “getting out there” to meet and speak about your work? How might you engage someone in conversation? What types of questions might you ask? How might you share or inform people about your work? What marketing strategies have been most successful for you? How much time do you allocate to marketing yourself and your art? Planning and goal setting, knowing your target market, being aware of the external environment, realizing your strengths, being open to potential affinity opportunities, and considering all the different strategies for marketing, are significantly beneficial to your marketing success. Please join us during this interactive session as we address the basics of marketing, and discuss maximizing goals and implementing strategies that result in positive outcomes. Come prepared to share during your ideas, expertise and recommendations that have worked for you!
