SOTA

This week, we're doing things differently again. We understand that this time is taking up a lot of people's energy–mentally, emotionally, physically. In this time of ongoing protests, while also battling a global pandemic, we did not want to put more on anyone's plate by asking them to use their energy for our podcast. (However, our platforms remains open to anyone who it may benefit.) We, your hosts, are both white and we are taking time to read antiracist literature and educate ourselves on systemic racism that is prevalent in daily life in our country and has been through history. To keep in line with our mission as an arts podcast, we talk about how these educational resources can be applied to the art world. Jasa leads us in a conversation based off readings from the book How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and combines it with statistics of racial disparities in the art world–including commercial galleries, museums, auctions, and biennials. We understand that this may be further exhausting for some audiences, so feel free to sit this one out if so and/or let us know if you have a recommendation for topical subjects.

We're thinking of you, Twin Cities/Minnesota/Midwest. Take good care.

Your Hosts,

References:

How to be an antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. You can search WorldCat to find a copy near you.

Hello everybody,

This episode will be different. The Twin Cities has become ground zero for a necessary movement towards dismantling systemic racism, and we cannot carry on as normal. The murder of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer is despicable and tragic beyond words. We side with BIPOC-led revolution, support protestors, Justice for George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, and dramatic and complete reform of social and governmental systems. Now is the time for us to listen. In this episode, we encourage our audience to educate themselves and listen to BIPOC voices, support them, and follow their lead on how to help make change. Take care of yourselves and each other, everyone.

Hello SOTAns! We're switching up our usual format starting this week. We will now be posting shorter episodes where we dive into one topic at a time. We'll be exploring how the art world works, subjects of debate in contemporary art, and delving into a little art history! Even better, we will now be posting once a week to help entertain and educate you during your shelter-in-place time.

Have a suggestion for a topic? An art world query? Let us know!

This week, we're talking about higher education in the art world. The MFA--do you really need it? Why is the art world so intertwined with academia? What degree do I need for what job and how will it help me? We have asked ourselves these same questions many times. And, now we will dig into them! This short chat just skims the surface. Let us know your thoughts on higher education in the arts!

Hello SOTAns! We hope you're all keeping well as we are still trudging through the world in the time of coronavirus. In this episode, we cover how the news is kind of...all the same, and mostly discouraging at that. However, an uplifting trend is that there have been a multitude of artist relief grants that are coming from foundations, institutions, non-profits, etc. We talk about different trends in the type of those grants and speculate on the different pros and cons that come with them.

Interviews are on pause for right now, since we're in the age of social distancing. But, we will have them back as soon as it's safe to do so!

Take care, everyone!

Be well, SOTAns! We hope you are all staying safe and during this unprecedented time. This week, we wanted to highlight just a few of the ways you can stay involved with your beloved art community and support local artists during the pandemic. This is not an exhaustive list, but we hope that it's helpful in some way or another! We are keeping our entire creative community in mind during this time and will continue to post content to keep us all connected and to uplift local artists.

The interview this week is actually a virtual panel discussion between local artists Erin Sandsmark, Dustin Steuck, and Larsen Husby, all of whom have been past SOTA interviewees, discussing their reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on their practices. Go back and listen to their episodes for even more info on this amazing artists!

Resources to Support Artists

Be Involved with Museums Online

What Local Artists Are Doing

Salutations, SOTAns! We hope you are all well and getting through this crazy time alright. The coronavirus has effected everything. Ev-er-y-thi-ng. The art world is obviously no exception. This week, we talk about what kind of changes and adjustments various arts organizations are making. We also suggest some recommendations for how to engage in the arts during the time of social distancing and how to support local artists.

That being said, be sure not to miss this interview with local painter, Jacob Docksey who works between 2D and 3D art, assemblages and painting.

References:

“Despite Anxious Times, Museums Offer a “Moment of Zen” on Twitter” – Hyperallergic

“Here’s a running list of coronavirus-related event postponements and cancelations” – CityPages

“See a List of Coronavirus-Related Closures at Museums Around the World” – ArtNews

“Week In Review: Coronavirus Prompts Art World Closures and Delays; Shell Ends Partnership With Two UK Art Institutions” – Hyperallergic

“2,500 Museums You Can Now Visit Virtually” – Hyperallergic

Jacob Docksey on MNArtists

Other SOTA episodes realting to online art viewership:

Salutations, SOTAns! We hope you are all well and getting through this crazy time alright. The coronavirus has effected everything. Ev-er-y-thi-ng. The art world is obviously no exception. This week, we talk about what kind of changes and adjustments various arts organizations are making. We also suggest some recommendations for how to engage in the arts during the time of social distancing and how to support local artists.

That being said, be sure not to miss this interview with local painter, Jacob Docksey who works between 2D and 3D art, assemblages and painting.

References:

"Despite Anxious Times, Museums Offer a “Moment of Zen” on Twitter" - Hyperallergic

"Here's a running list of coronavirus-related event postponements and cancelations" - CityPages

"See a List of Coronavirus-Related Closures at Museums Around the World" - ArtNews

"Week In Review: Coronavirus Prompts Art World Closures and Delays; Shell Ends Partnership With Two UK Art Institutions" - Hyperallergic

"2,500 Museums You Can Now Visit Virtually" - Hyperallergic

Jacob Docksey on MNArtists

Other SOTA episodes realting to online art viewership:

Hello SOTAns! We hope you are all well out there. This is especially so because, in the news, we cover museums, art fairs, and other public gatherings for art that are closing due to the coronavirus. Next, we talk about how outdoor artscapes benefit a community and present a case study of sorts for one way you can go about that. We also have a most excellent interview with local artist Trina Hernandez that you do not want to miss!

References:

A Daily Report on How COVID-19 Is Impacting the Art World - Hyperallergic

An Update on How COVID-19 Is Impacting the Art World - Hyperallergic

Candlewood Arts Festival

Trina Fernandez

Greetings SOTAns! This week in the news, we tackle the president's call to mandate that all Government buildings should be made in the classic style and why that's super problematic. Next, we talk about remixing installations. Many institutions, museums, and exhibits are permanent and preserved that way. How and why do you mix contemporary art into these established settings? Last but certainly not least, we catch back up with local artist, Jes Reyes, who we interviewed all the way back in episode three! She has a new creative initiative she's created in the community. Tune in to learn more!

References:

"Trump Wants to “Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again” by Imposing Classical Style" - Hyperallergic 

The Neon Museum

American Swedish Institute 

Jes Reyes

Have you ever taken an Art history course? One that focused on the great works from the Greek and Roman empires all the way through impressionism in Paris? What if we told you that those courses left out multiple cultures worth of art? Yale University has decided that their art history 101 courses need a redo, and are therefore canceling those courses until further notice. Some are saying that there is no way to ever include all art from every culture into these classes, so why are we trying? Jasa and Sarah have thoughts because of course, they do.

We then dive into retrospectives. What are they? Why are they important? Why is it so hard for artists to get one?

After a discussion about artists retrospectives, you'll get to listen to Sarah's interview Roshan Ganu, a storyteller and visual artist. Her work involves the creation of miniature scenes and strives to create a small slice of experience that is unique to each viewer.

As always, be sure to rate and review us on iTunes, and share it with your friends. Also, subscribe!

References:

"Yale Is Eliminating Its Art History Survey Course Over Complaints That It Prioritizes a White, Western Canon Over Other Narratives" - Artnet News

Roshan Ganu's Website