SCAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020
The Path Less Traveled Written by Rachita Vasandani Illustrated by Katsy Garcia
Over the past decade, creativity and art have evolved and are seen as sensible career paths instead of something to mock. Industries like advertising, graphic design, motion media and many others have propelled the image of artists to one of intelligence, sensibility and innovation — crazy hair color and weird outfits be damned. Artists who have taken steps to secure a successful career want to do just that: land a job, work, retire, the end. SCAD students survive four-plus years of hard work, deadlines and high standards to be the best at what they do and make a mark on the industry they wish to pursue. They pop out of the SCAD incubation chambers ready to be the next Pablo Picasso or Wes Anderson. But, what if you’re just not into that? What if you just want to take time to focus on applying your love for the creative arts without having to worry about finding a job or getting fired? What if you want to learn about new things from someone who’s been in your shoes? The thing about art is that it doesn’t follow a singular path, it deviates to find creativity beyond the norm. Explore three alternative paths to pursuing your passion: artist residencies, creative grants and mentorships.
Artist Residencies Artist-in-residence programs give people opportunities to live and work outside of their typical environments, providing them with time to reflect and produce work. Artists are encouraged to try new things and go beyond what they already know, to take the chance to explore themselves and their artistic boundaries. SCAD alumnus Gibron Shepperd, B.F.A. fashion (2019), has been involved in an incubator program run by C4 Atlanta. When asked about the best part of being involved in a residency, Shepperd said it “offers [a] supportive network; a place you can go to and tap into resources and ask questions. It helps me think about aspects of my artistry or company that I hadn’t previously considered.” Every residency is different. Some require full funding to be provided by the artist, others cover everything from travel to accommodation as well as offer generous stipends, equipment and studio spaces. Similarly, the duration of a residency can vary, although they typically range from several months to a year. Applications require artists to submit a project proposal, résumé and letter of motivation or similar documentation.