Today I spoke to a graduate of Sheffield Hallam University because I have been thinking about doing an MA there.  She was very positive about her experience there and was happy with the relationship with her tutors, which I think is really important because I didn't have that when I did my degree.  This wasn't anybody's fault and it didn't help that I was really homesick and possibly depresed but too proud to deal with it. 

The other thing about Sheffield is that it is launching Art Sheffield tomorrow.  I'm going to go over and see what's happening and maybe meet some people who are part of the art scene there and get a bit more of a feel for what is going on there. 

Also today I was installing work at Leeds University in the Arts building and one of the tutors walked by and we had a conversation about the installation I was working on.  I wasn't happy with an aspect of it.  It had all seemed good during the planning stages but now was looking wrong in some way.  So we had a chat about what I was trying to achieve and what I thought might be the thing that was wrong.  In the end he took me to the print department and got me some paper to see how that worked.  It struck me how helpful he was and as I sat in the foyer working through the process and overhearing conversations the general feel I got for the place was sharing and supportive.

On my foundation course the tutors were strict. Our schedule was crammed with nearly impossible deadlines, crits often ended in tears and work being destroyed publicly but as students we supported each other.  It was the toughest year of my life so far but it was also the best.  The work I was producing then was strong and developed far further that I could ever have imagined myself going and I crave that too.  I don't want an easy ride I do want to work with people who can be critcal and not let me away with doing any less than my utmost best.

The other option is to do residencies, develop the mentoring side of things, start writting. I guess that's one of the reasons I've started doing blogs.  I'm having conversations about this subject all the time so now I'm gonna try writting it out so I have some documentation of my reflections.

Tags: Art MA Mentoring Artist Led Groups Peer-mentoring

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