Statement of Interest a la Grad Schools

1-8-2012

Veronica Black

Statement of Interest

The summer of 2010 I visited my grandmother in Houston, Texas. Toward the end of that two week trip I had an opportunity to to rush over and visit the Museum of Fine Art Houston. I have always enjoyed exploring new museums or revisiting old ones whenever I travel. For me this new museum was filled with exhibits from 5th century burial masks to American contemporary art. With such artists as my hero Willem Van Aelst, his epic still lifes, and introducing me to contemporary artists like Jasper John, I roamed each wing of the museum and began to realize I was studying not just art work but the museum itself--how the exhibits where laid out, the flow of visitors, the design and color for each gallery--until I came across the Art of Asia exhibit. Weaving through the pillars that Hindu gods stood on, I wondered what their stories were when I came across a monitor. The touch screen, with built in Adobe Flash, was a simple interactive explaining the stories behind each of the Hindu gods. The interactive was bright, easy to navigate, and entertaining. It was perfect for all ages except that the touch screen was installed on the wall in a far off corner four feet from the floor--to high and out of the way for the younger museum visitors that this interactive was clearly designed for. That was the moment I realized I wanted to go to graduate school, so I can advance my education to be able to work in a cultural institution creating and installing technology that would help enrich the visitors experience. "I could design and install this interactive much better" was my mantra for the rest of my museum visit .  

When that summer ended I started my last year as a undergraduate at New Mexico Highlands University’s (NMHU) Media Arts Program, I have experienced an education both in and outside the classroom. My BFA in digital filmmaking, and my studio arts minor, have given me the foundation for creating professional and creative art. I have built upon my educational foundation with professional internships with SITE Santa Fe—a contemporary art space—the Department of Cultural Affairs of New Mexico, and the Marion Koshland Science Museums, Washington, DC, producing pieces ranging from oral history documentaries, to e-publishing children’s books, and virtual tours for the web.

In my five years at NMHU I have worked with local museums on such projects like SITE Santa Fe’s seventh biennial exhibit, “Lucky #7”—one of my first videography projects—made me part of a documentary film team comprised of students from three universities around Santa Fe. The biennial was curated by Lance Fung and focused on collaboration. Together we created a web based-only archive of the eighteen international and local artist works. Capturing the beginning process, the construction of the art, and the final installation of work in the contemporary art space through my camera lens was a wonderful way to experience how exhibitions are created. 

In 2008, I had the opportunity to be a part of the Program for Interactive Culture Technology (PICT). Within the program I worked with the New Mexico History Museum to create a short video as well as interactive pieces for the “Fashioning New Mexico” exhibit. I took ownership of shooting and editing a video that documented the process the textile conservator took to prepare the clothing for the exhibition. This video has also been displayed at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM, and the Mesa Public Library in Las Alamos, NM. I saw this project through to the end, developing the style of the video, the photography, and music of the piece. I finished with installing the sound system and monitor in the exhibition space.

This past summer I entered the professional field immediately after graduation through the alliance of AmeriCorps, the Center for Cultural Technology (CCT), the Media Arts Program at NMHU, and the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. Through AmeriCorps I started work for SITE Santa Fe as their summer External Affairs assistant. Through out the summer I worked on organizing and formating press images, cataloging press images and press clips, and assisting in documenting public events, getting a taste for the logistics side of museum life.

When I started researching MFA programs that had a museum connection, one of the first schools I came across was Parsons. The variety of fields in the Design and Technology program was an immediate draw. I knew I wanted to end up working for museums but how to go about it was still unclear. Having worked on many different kind of projects outside school, I feel I have much to offer in whichever path I take. I have a passion for filmmaking but skills in designing logos and layout, creating and building websites, and most recently working on mobile applications.  The design and technology program will offer me an opportunity to develop all my skills, without having to narrow down to just a few. And in the end I will be a much better employee at no matter what museum I end up.

All of my experiences have centered around museums in a positive way. I have seen how my work has helped to tell others' stories, captured a moment that was almost forgotten, or given someone an idea of what awaits them before they visit the museum. These experiences and the pleasure that come from them have secured the path I hope to tread. 

______________________________________________________

This letter was for Parsons college in New York, NY.

Enjoy!

"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!

The Things I'm "About" to Accomplish

Despite my mother, grandmothers and great grandmother, I will never be a stay-at-home wife/mother, it's just not going to happen. I remember my mother trying to teach me how to sow and cross stitch and it came out looking like this:

Re-actant-ment of said cross stitch

My mother bought me dolls and my grandmother got each one of the grand daughters on christmas a new porcelain doll. I throw dolls off the top bunk bed, not the porcelains but the others. Just to see if they bounce.

My dolls never ended up this bad but dang it I didn't try

I was outside more then any of my five brothers. Once I had to start wearing a bra, which I put up a fight until the very last, I thought it was stupid to take it off at night, mostly because it was a pain to even get it on.

This isn't me but this would have been me

I never walk around a puddle. I go through it! my poor husband tries to direct me around a puddle but I still manage to go through it. It's to much fun to miss out of it.

I had boys calling at my door when I was 6 years old because I was the only girl in the neighborhood who wasn't afraid to get dirty. I remembered my mother opening our front door to find 3 little boys asking if I can come out to play. My mom who's very lady like told the boys that "I was to young to be asked out by boys yet." It was pretty funny!

In short, I'm not a girly girl nor a tom boy, I'm just an adventures person with no designs on being a stay at home and do nothing kind of person. There's nothing wrong with being a mother and wife who does stay at home. It's just not my idea, I much rather be at work and busy out side of the home. I guess I'm just not a being at home kind of person really...

This little intro was to help you understand this next part. Since I've been old enough I've worked. I always had choirs, even on the weekend (Lame Dad.) When I was 11 I started house/animal sitting for neighbors. And then when I turned 13 I started babysitting, and I still do. I was the best babysitter and the most requested one in town. I made a killing. Once we moved to South Dakota I found a job at a Nursing Home, then after working there for awhile I started work at a bakery and ref'ing soccer. Right before my 21st birthday I moved out of my parents home and from that time until I moved to New Mexico in 2006. I worked 2 jobs, babysit or went to school. At one time I worked 72 hours a week for 2 weeks and somewhere between 38-40 hours ever week. Once I landed in New Mexico I became a full time student and worked 20+ hours a week. I did that for 5 years. For the full list, Rewriting New New Chapter.

Now that I'm on a break for the unseeable future I need goals - plans - units of time - things to do. Otherwise I don't think I can guaranty yours - my husband's - my puppy's safety. So with my husband's support I've come up with a sort of list. And as I go about accomplishing this "list" I'll mark it off by posting them.

Unit 1) Clean the Apartment: Since we never really unpacked after we moved into our new apartment and the family-in-laws are coming for Thanksgiving.

Unit 2) Craft-y Things: I'm not really that crafty but I love making clothes from old clothes, like Tshirts.

www.generation-t.com

I also want to try my hand at crochet.

I haven't crochet since I was 17 and then it ended looking like a knot

Needle work.

Mine's going to be awesome

Unit 3) Memphis's Place: So our puppy Memphis has been hanging out in a crete when we go some where or we're asleep. Yet we have this little cubby where he could stay and have more room. The only reason he doesn't live there now is because there's so much junk pilled up in there. So my mission is throw away or find a place for all that junk so Memphis can have his own little place.

Unit 4) Paint + Draw = Do Art: I love painting and over the summer I was so inspired by all the creative art I saw that I'm dying to do art. I want to paint, I want to draw, and if I have time I want to display my art in a gallery. I've been asking around to see if there's a gallery where I can do that. I might have found a place but we'll see.

Apples!

Unit 5) Canada: Montreal Canada in fact. My husband has his 10 Year High School thing coming up in October and he really wants to go. We even got passport so that we can, but we have been having car issues so that's slowed us down in the buying of the tickets to get us there. I'm holding out, it's a pay week and hopefully the tickets will be at a good price and then we're off. I've never been out of the country. I really want to go.

This is my very first passport but not my last

Unit 6) Grad Schools: I really want to go to grad school and get an MFA. I'm just not sure where and in what for sure that is. So my job is to figure that out, find a place and take the GRE, which means I'll be studying for them. On the bright side of having to study my husband will be taking them and studying for them with me. He's applying to PHd programs too.

Unit 7) Run: Before I moved to New Mexico I worked out every day and once I moved here I ran every other day and worked out on the opposite days. I even run a 1/2 marathon, but now I'm lucky if I can get a yoga class or walk the puppy in. So I'm going to start running and working out again. In fact, I'm going to start training for a 1/2 marathon or better yet a full marathon. I think I can do it. I want to do it. I just need to find a marathon somewhere near. But what's going to be really challenge is running a full 26. something miles because to run the whole of the city of Las Vegas, NM is 5.5 miles. (Of course that doesn't include the the part of town going out of town toward Wal-Mart.) I will have to run around Las Vegas like 5 time. That's going to be fun.

I have an iPhone so I can cover most of these gadgets 

I have a lot planned but I also have until I find a job or we move in August 2012. I'll keep you posted on how this list turns out.

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!