"JOB" Almighty!

Every since May 2011 came and went I've been thinking of "what comes next."

Job? Grad school?? Kid??? Another puppy???? Marshmallows?????

After graduating from NMHU Media Arts with my very sexy BFA I enrolled into the AmeriCorps program through the Media Arts intern partnership. I interviewed with the Georgia O'keefe Museum, the Santa Fe Children's Museum and SITE Santa Fe. Landing a nice spot as the Summer intern at SITE Santa Fe in the External Affairs department. I went into that internship with the hope that it'll end up more permeant. Sadly life did not shape the way I'd hope, but it turned out I needed a break.

The break was nice and much needed. I didn't stop searching for that "next thing" though. In fact, I applied for a lot of things since that Summer Internship ended.

And here's the list so far;

Employment:

www.sfreporter.com 

I applied to the Santa Fe Reporter for a intro level Graphic Designer. The job posting just asked that you send in an email with your resume and url, if you have one. I never heard back. It was kind of a long shot but I aimed high.

www.riogallinasschool.org

The position at the Rio Gallinas was for a part time art teacher. I sent an equiring email followed by my resume. I never heard back after that and they hired Nellie Price. Which I was happy for her. So it worked out.

www.luna.edu

Luna was looking for someone to teacher a intro to flash class. I turned this down because I choice to be a part of the Youth Media Projects.

www.santafeopera.org

This 3 part application form, cover letter/email, plus resume, and references was for a intro level social/mobile/web designer for the Santa Fe Opera. An all day applications process that lead to nothing. I figured it just didn't have enough mobile/web under my belt yet, and I mean yet.

Graduate School:

So to prep for grad school application I studied and took the GREs. Not that any of my school require it but for a few schools you get put on the top stack or you can be eligible for academic grants. Since I may never be able to pay off my school loans in this life time, every little bit helps. 

www.newschool.edu

Parsons application process was probably the easiest. It was all online! Super easy! Yet, they wanted to see a lot projects and asked a lot of questions on their application. So that took some time.

www.scad.edu 

If I get into SCAD my life will be perfect! The application process is not very hard. The portfolio is the most important, followed by your statement and the letters of recommendations. I have my figures cross.

www.washington.edu 

The University of WA was by far the most stressful application ever. They wanted everything, resume, statement letter, rec letters, portfolio, everything all mailed together. But you also had to apply online and submit online transcripts for all the schools you every attended. Which I had no way for doing that for the schools I transfered from. In the end this school was the hardest but by doing all of it I was able to use almost everything for the next school.

www.vcu.edu

For VCU the application is all online but they are very picky about what you show in your portfolio. For example, if you are applying for the MFA in Film & Photo

Portfolio Requirement: Submit 20 still images; or a minimum of three recent films or videos for which the applicant has had primary responsibility in production; or a combination of still images and short video clips, not to exceed 20. Image/Video Format: DIGITAL FILES (Online or Mail CD/DVD): Image: Jpeg format only (Quality 12), maximum dimensions of 1280 x 1024 pixels at 72 dpi; file size no larger than 2.0 MB per image. Video: All videos must be formatted in MPEG4 using the H.264 codec at 640×480 pixels with MP3 audio or 48k AIF. Limit the size of your video to 100 MB. Video files should be no longer than three minutes in length. 

You must upload your work to their website and it's very nitpicking. Plus it does take a while to upload your work. So I recommend you give your self a few days before the due date to do it. I had to resize almost all my videos so that they where small enough to upload to their format.

I'm sure I'll be applying to many more jobs maybe even grad schools.

Enjoy!

Google's Got It's SITE On Art

After a wicked weekend of 4th of July awesomeness coming back to work is nice. This week at SITE we've got the Art Fair, Intro to the Art Auction and for me more editing. What a week!

For class though we are asked to chat about this groovy thing Google is doing for Art.


What is the ‘Art Project’?


A unique collaboration with some of the world’s most acclaimed art museums to enable people to discover and view more than a thousand artworks online in extraordinary detail.

This is a way to get High Def art out into the world. To folks who may never get the opportunity to travel to the art location and see it for them self. The images and the environment takes you to the museum. The navigation is a little odd and probably could use a little work on the smooth transition down the halls and to next piece of art. But all in all a good idea for a museum experience.


Google Art Project!

I feel it doesn't take away viewing the art in real life. Seeing a Van Gogh in person is amazing and Google Arts is more like a preview.

Who has access? 
Google Explorers. If you can "google" you can be a part of this project.


Who controls the art we see online?
As I move through the museum it seems like the Google people are the ones have the most control, but    

How can I get my museum added to the project?
Please check back here for more news soon on new museums being added to the projects.

It seems like there could be more applications for this kind of project. We will just have to "check back soon" to see if the google gods will allow it to happen.

Enjoy!

A "SITE" To Be Seen

AmeriCorps an experience in it's self. What I knew about AmeriCorp before signing up was just you had to do volunteer work. I didn't know it's history or the connection the Media Arts had with it. As I looked in to AmeriCorps I learned that it's not just internships and volunteer stuff. It's a "give back while you gain" program.  To my surprise as a member you have to go through the whole interview process, showing you portfolio and choosing the right place for you. I had not done this for any of my internship before. I think that's why I value my position at SITE Santa Fe more than any other internship before - Not to say my other internships haven't been life experience. 

1. I have been with SITE for 6 weeks. In that time my experience has been wonderful. Not only has my skill set been helpful but I have had so many complement on my go-with-the-flow professional attitude. Being able to stay cool under pressure has earned me recognition amidst staff and interns.

As a intern at SITE I have used my education in Media Arts several ways. My first assignment was to document an artist performance. Next I used my photoshop skills to resize and import images into documents and I designed a press image packets. A big project was given to me a week before the newest art exhibit opened. The project was to figure out how to design and install digital panels in the front entry of the building. On the day of the opening, while I finished the panel install, I was asked to export a slideshow and get it installed. I also got to document one of the art pieces in the gallery. But the biggest gold star I earned was last week when SITE couldn't get someone to film an artist talk they asked me. I was able to film and edit that piece and it will be on their podcast channel that's linked on their website. My skill-set has come in very very handy and I am having a positive experience with SITE.

2. For enriching the community, that's something I feel like I could work a little harder on. I know time is moving fast but I had hoped that there would be time to participate in training, CPR etc. With all the wildfires in the area I'd love to have training under my belt so if I'm called on as a AmeriCorps member I can answer.

Since I've been with AmeriCorps and SITE I have only been a part of the community art performance "I Write the Songs" in the Santa Fe Plaza. While I worked on documenting the event I wore my AmeriCorps button and intruded my self as a intern with SITE through AmeriCorp. And today I had the honor to present on behalf of the Media Arts interns and AmeriCorp to Near Eastern Delegation. A group of artist and museum staff from Iraq, Egypt and many other countries in the area.

I would really like to volunteer and take advantage of the training AmeriCorps has to offer. I feel like I need to give back one way or another.

3. I work under different staff member when the project calls for it. Mostly I work with Anne Wrinkle, she is over public affairs and marketing. I help with press archiving and media elements. Working with Ms. Anne, I have learned why it is important to document articles, the processes that go into raising money through auctions, and getting things done on time. Ms. Anne is also the email queen. I have never seen a person email so much. When I'm not working with Ms. Anne I'm with Ms. Joanne Lefrak, Director of Education and Outreach and learning the in's and out's of the staff of SITE.  

When I started I felt like I had stepped out of my comfy bubble of film and digital media. I have relish being out of my bubble and doing something different.

4. My service with AmeriCorps is still in process. "AmeriCorps bring Americans communities together." I hope that my work within museums, rather it's at SITE or somewhere else, helps with pulling in the community. By being an example to others, working hard with out causing issues, and taking every opportunity to give back, like it or not. Rather I continue with AmeriCorp or move on, I hope that what I've learned will travel with me. 

Enjoy!

Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Pot

So life happens and things change, new plans are made, and doors you think are closed open up. That was a brief idea of what went down my last semester at New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU.) The plan was to finish my BFA, relax and do only what I wanted to over the Summer, and then move somewhere to start an MFA program. That didn't happen. So, my husband and I had to make a new plan (which we're still working on) and find jobs. Lucky my husband renewed his job with NMHU (where he teaches english classes) for another year. Him being set it was up to me to find something to - Here's where the door that was closed opened up - AmeriCorps!

A semester or two ago my department, Media Arts, became a part of the AmeriCorps umbrella and started helping students who have graduated or a semester away from graduating find jobs in places (mostly museums) around New Mexico. A lot of great students found great jobs.

I never put much thought into AmeriCorp, mostly because I'd hope to be heading off to my next adventure, out of state. But the plan changed and AmeriCorps was a close door that was cracked and needed to be open. I signed up. And as my final semester came to an end I went out and interviewed at three museums/galleries in Santa Fe, NM. They all sound great but the best one was SITE Santa Fe.

I had worked with SITE on their 7th Biennial in 2008 and really enjoyed that experience. And when SITE wanted to hire me I jumped through that door.

What you might not know about SITE you can find here... CLICK ME.

Pretty cool!

It was like the saying, "Out of the frying pan and into the pot." Meaning I went from finishing my BFA to a trip to LA to finish up a class in AR to work at SITE. I'm not one for slowing down.

My first week was nice, meeting and grating. But that was just the first hour. After that they put me to work. Using Microsoft Excel, which I haven't used in like 4 four years, and importing images into a spreadsheet. Did you know you can put images into a spreadsheet? I didn't. After that first week in External Affairs I got asked to help with some press images packets. Then put in charge of laying out the new 46" LED panel screens with content and images. Since my first day I have meet with the artists who will be featured in the next show, the graphic designer, and the head Philips Curator. I have filmed one event and am scheduled to film a few more before the first of July. All in all this Summer has shaped up in a good way. AmeriCorps was a perfect idea and SITE is so groovy.

I promise that the next few post want be this long, but I'm horrible, I  have to start all my stories from the "In the Beginning" point.

Enjoy!