Into Focus: Art/Science in the University Classroom

Call for Participation

Extended proposal deadline: July 15, 2010

Organizer: Adrienne Klein, co-Director, Science & the Arts, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Email: aklein@gc.cuny.edu

In conjunction with the College Art Association 99th Annual Conference, to be held February 9-12, 2011 in New York City, Science & the Arts at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York will host a panel titled "Into Focus: Art/Science in the University Classroom." If you have developed or participated in instruction bringing together art and science, we would like to give you the opportunity to share your experiences. The panel is a satellite event of the Leonardo Education and Art Forum Into Focus: Art/Science in the University Classroom

This panel will present examples of instruction bringing art and science together in the university classroom. Each panelist will have up to 20 minutes to describe his or her experiences, to be followed by general discussion.

Art, science, and technology are linked in the minds of a small but growing subset of faculty and administrators on campuses across the globe. The potential benefit of interaction between scientists and visual and performing artists is acknowledged, but what is the state of classroom instruction to encourage this interdisciplinary work? Panelists will present examples of best practices in this genre. They will address questions including:

• Are there courses in which students study and produce art informed by science? How does this coursework fit into the curriculum?
• How much science do art students need to understand, in order to make credible work?
• At what level is this coursework most appropriate; undergrad or graduate? Is the New Media curriculum the appropriate home for courses encouraging the inclusion of science (even though science and technology are not synonymous)?
• How can scheduling events outside of the classroom, such as speakers, exhibitions and performances, promote cross-disciplinary work?
• There is a demonstrably growing interest in interdisciplinary work, and there are increasing funding opportunities, exhibitions and conferences. If we hope to sustain interest in the field and to gain academic credibility, we should exchange information on how this subject is successfully integrated into academia.

Please submit an abstract (up to 200 words) to Adrienne Klein, aklein@gc.cuny.edu, no later than June 30, 2010. Include a brief biographical statement with mailing address, email address, and phone and fax numbers. Please include a cover note explaining your interest and expertise in the topic.

All applicants will receive a reply. Selected proposals will be acknowledged by July 31, 2010.

Details for applying at http://web.gc.cuny.edu/sciart/call.pdf

Updated 23 June 2010