I stop myself amassing more and more material. Unprocessed bulk of images can become unmanageable, so like managing time, I focus attention on what I think will be more efficient.
Sent an application of work to Photomedia Salon 2011, at Charlie Dutton Gallery. Moving image is sometime shown within photography exhibitions, but this time I have sent a still.
Received an email from Oxford Brookes university, asking for a scheme of work I might present there for a course they are setting up. I feel very well prepared to write the lesson plans after recent PTLLS teaching course, but it is still quite a challenge to think of everything in an intensive portfolio preparation course. I am really delighted at this sliver of opportunity, as I have sent I don't know how many applications to get a regular teaching job. This is just what I want - associate lecturer, so it is part time, flexible, and about at the level I want to teach, foundation and beyond.
I have yet to track down how I am on their files - I think it must be from Design your Future, a UCAS exhibition I went to for a couple of years at ExCel. Although for students, I reckoned since there were all the art schools in Britain in one place, I would go down with my CV to see if I could get work. Most of the people I know who are associate lecturers got a break through someone they know.
The first year, 2009, I was asked to give a lecture about my practice at Norwich School of Art, and to give tutorials to undergraduates. The next year, 2010, I went down more clued up, with a better CV, having done courses in teaching and things like health and safety. The big message amongst staff was about cuts, job losses, department cuts, and so on. However, I still made contacts and handed out my CV. Amazingly, Oxford Brookes had kept me on file.
It is undoubtedly difficult to get a job within a university, especially at the moment, but people will be investing in themselves more in what they really want to do, and will want to do art. If I were to get some work there, then I will really have a full plate.
When I was at university, I really valued and had interesting and revelatory conversations with the visiting and associate tutors. It gives you such perspective and insight as an artist and student to realise what is going on within your own institution and the outside. I have felt very drawn to the role. I also have a need to do several things at once - studying the MA, the assessing, the reviewing, writing and making work too. I always feel one enhances the other. I certainly learn from each area and link them. Somehow it all appeals to my sense of urgency. Oh, and there's life as well.
16th May 2011
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