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!

SITE'ing It Up!

My first weeks at SITE were awesome. Now that that's clear let me move on to the next few weeks of SITE adventures.

I have been with SITE, starting this Tuesday, five weeks. In that first few weeks at SITE I have meet the staff and artist, met with the lead graphic designer, filmed a event, worked on a design layout for press images, and managed the ever increasing list of auction items.

These past two weeks at SITE have been a little different. Because most of the interns at SITE are not getting paid, crazy right? SITE is providing little event days for interns. On these days we get a one-on-one sit down with a SITE staff member to chat with them and ask questions. We've learned a lot about the life of a museums employee and it's a great way get comfortable with your employers, for me, gain a better respect for them. Also, for these event days we get to go on a field trip. Yay! Our first trip was to meet with an artist from MeowWolf at the CCA and the "Due Return." Ya'll need to check it out.

That week I was asked to help with the design and install of two 46" LED HD Digital Samsung panels. SITE wanted one of the panels to run a scrolling text of "Thank You's" for the donors and members of SITE Santa Fe and the other to have a slide show of images with information of events and up & coming events. So that was my job for a week and half. I had to do some trouble shooting. The best way I knew how to achieve this was through Final Cut or Flash. Because SITE didn't have Fnal Cut and neither do I. I went with Flash, but I had so much trouble with exporting it to Quicktime (SITE doesn't have Flash) I went with Keynote (which only one computer has Keynotes on it and that computer is in the attic.) Needless to say it was a pain to work through all of that but I did. And I installed the panel and had one screen working with the scrolling text. Yet now I'm working on getting the other panel to run the image slide show at the same time as the scrolling text. The photos show the computer system I have to use, the HTMI inputs and what the panels look like with the scrolling text. It's so groovy!

On the Members Opening event at SITE, I worked, not only on the panels but on exporting and installing a image slideshow of the Santa Fe Plaza event for "I Write the Songs." That took a few tries but final got it and it looks great.

For the Free Public Opening I film the artist Suzanne Bocangra's performing art piece "Little Dots." It was tons of fun. Come and check it out on Friday.

I'm not sure what this week might hold for me. I am sure it will be fun and a exciting.

Ps. I hope I can get that dang panels to work right. You got any ideas?

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!