In a drab little office suite, two guys who run a college art program are complaining to me. They say their department has been pretty uninspired for quite some time now, and they’re wondering how to reinvigorate their program. I find the question exciting, and say, “Here’s what you do: Get a grant to travel and study other art programs. Pick the top ten departments that interest you, and go get paid to find out what they are doing!
They seem to like the idea, and one guy says he really ought to revive his own personal practice, and do at least a drawing a day, so as to appear credible when meeting the pros. I agree, and suddenly have an idea which feels even more exciting. I say, “And while you’re at it, why not examine the originality vacuum in student art?” They don’t see my point right away, and ask me to explain my meaning. I say I’ve always observed that most student work is derivative or trendy, as if they are copying something they saw which they think is cool. Why don’t we find out why students aren’t doing their own work, and what can be done to encourage originality? My idea is that if they could do this, their department would be hot.