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Artistic Evolution or Goal Displacement?: The Influence of Academia upon Artistic Approach, Identity and Artwork

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Artists in the University

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Abstract

Practicing within the university setting influences artists’ identity , approach to their practice and the artwork they produce. Although there are examples of ‘good research producing bad art’, this does not automatically have to be the case. Academics whose practice is undertaken as artistic research adopt a range of strategies to balance their work as artists and academics. Despite fears that notions of artistic excellence will be affected by university conceptions of research in the newer generation of artistic researchers, these academic staff are aware of the challenges and ready to take up the baton to secure equal recognition and support for their research as the older generation retires.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    SymbioticA artists have received Australia Council Fellowships and inclusion in arts biennale, exhibitions and festivals.

  2. 2.

    ERA specifically excludes ‘student work’ from consideration.

  3. 3.

    Artistic Practice in Music, a project being conducted by Vanessa Tomlinson, Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre, and Jenny Wilson, as yet unpublished.

  4. 4.

    Surveys are undertaken by Gallup (National Association of Music Making 2003) and The MetLife Foundation (2005) revealed that 85% of respondents regretted not learning to play a musical instrument and 67% want to learn; and that retiring baby boomers aspire to improve their communities through art.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    Jenny Wilson

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  1. Jenny Wilson
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Correspondence to Jenny Wilson .

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Wilson, J. (2018). Artistic Evolution or Goal Displacement?: The Influence of Academia upon Artistic Approach, Identity and Artwork. In: Artists in the University . Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5774-8_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5774-8_8

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