How to Learn About Contemporary Art | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios

Are you overwhelmed by the plethora of art and art-related activities going on in the world? We’re here to help! Here are some ideas for how to learn about what’s going on in the world of contemporary art.

[RebelsAreWe]

If they're not nice, eff 'em. Words to live by, Mrs. Green.

[fancynancyketchup]

A BOOK CLUB?? COUNT ME IN. Also, you're such a vlogging natural now, Sarah! 

[mr.goodpliers]

I basically designed my own graduate study program. I picked up books on art style, art history, art markets, and contemporary artists, then read every evening

[SeanLamb-I-Am]

Another tip that my art instructors gave me was to look at art in media other than my preferred work medium.  I'm a photographer, but I view classical painting, I attend concerts and listen to music, I seek out sculpture, I play with fonts and I even look at postage stamps among many other things.  This gives me a much broader view and can make connections in my creativity that I might not otherwise see.

[Quixotic]

"If they're not nice to you, eff 'em." Good general philosophy, really.

[silverautumn]

I tend to forget how much I love art. I go two or three months and then I see something amazing on tumblr and I remember my empty sketchbook or that art book I was reading. This video was loaded with great tips to keep up to date with art all the time! Thank you! 

[wanderback]

I visited IMA today because my mom lives here and I was visiting and said we should go. I knew you used to be a curator there, but I basically fell in love with the contemporary art section and didn't realize that that was what you were the curator for until I did research as soon as we got home. I already enjoyed art, but I think my knowledge grew wider today and my thirst for more information/knowledge in that area also grew as well. So thank you!

[callamea]

I would just like to take a moment to thank the whole Art Assignment team for doing this show in general and this video in particular. Something like this has definitely been missing from my life and I think a lot of people (me included) don't have enough art in their life because they don't know where to start.

I also bought the book because it looked really interesting. I love book recommendations, so thanks for that one. :)

[persnikity]

I want you to know how glad I am that you're hosting The Art Assignment and how great of a job you're doing. It's a great idea for a channel and I've had a lot of fun so far learning about art and trying out the assignments. And I'm totally picking up the assigned reading! :) Four for you, Mrs. Green. You go, Mrs. Green.

[saranna]

And the art students at the school shows will be happy to have you and get to show their work to you!

[jaycatsby]

I'm at the school of the art institute of chicago's summer college program, and this video was really helpful. it's true, living in chicago is really blinding, and it wasn't until we had to go to the museum every day that i really appreciated it. the book looks awesome, can't wait to read it!

[lesliefoundhergrail]

I know the assignment videos are much more fun for you than the vlog-style stuff, but this particular how-to was very important for a lot of your audience's frustrations. Thanks for addressing it! 
Also book club! I'm not a huge book club person but essays are my preferred style of reading, so I'd love to take this on!

[Saena]

I absolutely agree that even the smallest areas have an art scene. I once lived for a year in a tiny, economically struggling community in a middle-of-nowhere town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I discovered over time that not only was there the main arts center in the town (which was fairly small in and of itself), but at least 2 or 3 other small galleries scattered throughout- just in more out-of-the-way, harder to find streets. And while there weren't a lot of other towns around us and you had to go across the Bay Bridge to get to a decent-sized city, there was a town about 20 minutes away that also had an artsy feel to it. It didn't feel like much at the time, but for a place that small, it was actually a ton of culture.

Another hint: don't just go to college/university art shows- go to *high school* art shows. I go to them sometimes because I work in the public schools, and the art is surprisingly high-quality. You might feel silly being there if you're not a high school student or don't know anyone at the school who is, but trust me, no one will question your presence there. If anything, they'd be thrilled to discover that a random community member was interested enough to swing by.

Online, I feel compelled to mention that I'm a member of hitrecord.org, which is a creative collaborative production company where anyone can post their work and contribute to other people's work. Browsing the intro materials to see if their ethos fits yours is important, but I know I have seen a ton of brilliant art there, collaborated on by people from all over the world, and all free and open-source. :)

[VidConMom]

Wherever I travel, I not only seek out art exhibits, but also buy small art pieces to remind me of my destination. Our house is beginning to look a bit Barnes-like since our teenager has travelled and collected her own art pieces.
Loving @TheArtAssignment!!!
Amy aka VidConMom

[littlearttalks]

It's so awesome that you're staring a book club! I actually have a friend that reads art writings with me. Having someone read with me keeps us both in check, allows us to discuss the work during and after reading (thus exploring topics that I might've not read into as much), and expands the range of books I would normally read by myself. I'm excited to see how this works & the books you choose :)

[catherinesvideos]

Another great tip is that if you have a college or university that has an art department in your area they will usually have a gallery and sometimes have artist talks. Sometimes professional artists are on exhibit, sometimes students. Works by students can be super informative and interesting. This stuff is also often free which is always good.

[vitavane]

I've just graduated with a degree in art history and this is just what I needed to hear! Part of me was worrying about how on earth I would keep art in my life when not studying it, and this was a wonderful reminder that learning about art is not exclusive to being a student. Also, I live in London and do suffer from art-blindness sometimes, so thanks for the metaphorical kick up the arse!

[dramalovesme]

I'm so excited for the book club since I'm completely free of any talent and I haven't participated in the assignments yet... this is my time! Words! Books! 

[sabrinasmnelli]

I'm so glad that the Art Assignment exists. I was fortunate enough to visit the Met the other day and I was really reminded why I love art so much. And reading about art is one of my favorite things to do, so I'm excited for this endeavor!

[AGiguere]

I work in local arts organizations and just recently graduated from university in arts management in Ottawa, so my avenues are direct contact with artists and curators as well as art events - you meet so many cool people and engaged types. Oh, and I read a lot of art books.