 A few weeks ago
we boldly pronounced
the end of Art Assignments,
but not the end of our series.
We are truly committed to
seeing this channel forward
and letting it evolve
like any good project,
following our interests
and listening to yours.
So what is the future
of The Art assignment?
We're going to discuss
it in four parts.
There's going to
be costume changes,
it's going to be great.
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First, you should know
that we have formed a club.
It's very exclusive,
it's called Extra Credit,
and you have to fill
out an application
and pass an exam to be admitted.
Just kidding.
It's a Facebook group.
And there's a link
in the description.
All you have to do is ask to
join and we'll let you in.
So in the group we're
doing past assignments
in a somewhat organized fashion.
It's really not right to
be too organized about art.
We've just completed our
first assignment together,
Whitescapes, which was
offered by Odili Donald Odita.
And here are just a few of
the many wonderful images
that have been made
and shared in response.
In the Facebook group
we decide through polls
which assignments we're
going to do, lists due dates,
and we post what we
make and talk about it.
I also give out
optional readings
related to the
assignments, and we'll
organize group discussions
on other platforms.
So just because there's
no new assignments
doesn't mean the party's over.
There are 60 assignments sitting
there very patiently on YouTube
waiting for you to do them,
whether it's on your own time
or with us over on Extra Credit.
So join us.
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OK, the future of this
channel is not t-shirts,
however the future
of our channel
is related to the
message emblazoned
on this one, which happens
to be available at DFTBA.com.
It says all art was
once contemporary,
and it's not a quote by a,
particular person but more
of a general sentiment
that I see and hear
often around the various
worlds of art and art history.
The idea is that even
the older art that to you
seems normal, and
rational, and not
boundary pushing was very
probably irrational, abnormal
and most definitely boundary
pushing when it was made.
This is what makes the study
of art history so fascinating,
as it reveals to us
another layer of history
and gives us glimpses
into other times
and value systems and ways
of approaching the world.
And it also gives us
insight into our own time
and hopefully opens
our minds a little bit
to the art that we
see in galleries today
that we dismiss as
being completely nuts.
The mission of
The Art Assignment
is to think about how art,
no matter when it was made,
is relevant to your life today.
Like we've talked about
surrealism, and how
it was this brief
moment in history
but still has a huge
influence in our culture.
And we also make
guesses about how
the lessons of the surrealists
might be applied to the world
as it is today.
So let's continue
to think about how
all art was once contemporary,
and how all art, or at least
most of it, can help inform the
way we look at our lives today.
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You have likely noticed that
we are funded by PBS Digital
Studios and we're very proud
of our partnership with them.
Their support has made possible
every video we've ever made,
and their mission of making
high-quality educational
content available for
free dovetails perfectly
with our own.
So far we've been able to make
this show with grant funding
through PBS along with
a few sponsorships,
but to become a more
sustainable channel
we're starting a
Patreon page and we're
asking you to contribute
in whatever way you can.
If you don't know
Patreon, on it's
an amazing platform where
you can support creators
you like by pledging a
particular amount per month.
As little as $1 or as
much as you'd like.
Making internet video is an
extremely precarious line
of work, and with
Patreon we all win.
You get to support
the content you enjoy
and ensure it exists in the
future, and we as creators
have a steady line
of income regardless
of the ups and downs of
funding cycles and sponsorship.
So go check out our Patreon
page to hear more about how
we put to use your
contribution and also
to check out the list of rewards
that go along with the pledge
levels.
They're pretty cool.
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PBS Digital Studios
is once again
conducting their annual survey.
Nearly 40,000 of you
responded last year
and we'd love to
hear from you again.
We want to know what you'd
like to see more of on YouTube
and in the world in general.
And we know that
changes all the time.
So if you can
spare a few minutes
please click the link
in the description
and fill out the survey.
25 randomly selected
participants
will receive a lovely
t-shirt like this one.
It strikes me that I'm
really asking a lot of you
in this video, aren't I?
I feel a little guilty
about it because I mostly
just want to make good videos
about art for you just sit back
and enjoy.
But then again, it is sort
of implicit in the title
of this series that we're
asking you to do something.
So I take it back.
I don't feel guilty anymore.
These are interesting
times we're living in,
and for me, being a participant
feels a lot better than sitting
back and watching it all go by.
So go, do stuff, click links,
be an active member of society.
As always, thanks for watching
and thanks for helping us
figure out what this channel
will be now and moving forward.
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