The first section of this course discusses the type of networks that are available to a student on the final lap of the UCA degree programme.
A peer feedback network is vital for students to learn how to receive critique and respond to other's work in the same manner. Having support from fellow students when the work is developing and study deadlines are approaching is invaluable. I am lucky in that I have always taken part in the excellent study days organised by the UCA (formerly OCA). This has helped to develop a network of like-minded students that were willing to engage in the study of contemporary art but also to come together for mutual support. From this the Thames Valley study group has developed and we have monthly critique days, often attended by a tutor. We are also currently submitting our work for a group exhibition to be organised by ourselves in Woking next year. I'm also part of a Google hangout group for level 3 students which has been a good source of support; although I've not attended for a while, but hope to rejoin the group more frequently now I have more time.
A professional feedback network consists of input from a professional working in the creative industry. This could be a portfolio review and the course notes lists several contacts. I will need to think about this as they are mostly fee based. I do think I could definitely benefit from some outside feedback on the Target Practice work so I will look more closely at the list over the next week or so.
Other options are a professional working in the creative arts that the student already knows. I can think of one or two possibilities that isn't currently an UCA tutor that I could contact - I may do this too.
Before approaching anyone I need to think about the kind of feedback I'd like. The Target Practice work is 99% complete, so would I be asking about the work at this stage or for advice on how to move forward towards exhibition and making the work public. Both would be great!
I also have a to do list in my head of the other tasks that I need to have in place at this stage:
Promote my work on Instagram - I've created a second account for the Target Practice work and have begun to post occasionally with info about my exhibition. I have also tried to include work in progress for exhibition handouts etc, and my thoughts on the experience. I think that a more personal touch is always more interesting so that people can follow and become connected to the artist and their personal practice.
https://www.instagram.com/michaelmcolvin/
I've been regularly posting my wip on Facebook for friends, family and fellow students to view. I've had some encouraging feedback from doing this and I will continue to promote my new social networks and exhibition info back through this route to keep everyone in the loop.
Build a portfolio website - I've begun to do this using the Portfolio website builder software that is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud package that I subscribe to. Some other website builders have been suggested by fellow students so if this one doesn't pan out I have a list of others I can fall back on.
Twitter - I really don't like what I've heard about Twitter and all the negativity that gets voiced on there. I feel I will probably need to use this platform because of its wide reach but only in a limited way to link back to my Instagram and website. I'm not sure I want to engage much with that platform.
That's about it for the start of SYP. My exhibition space is also booked for July 2019 but more on that as I progress through the course.
