This course is open to learners of all levels and explores how art shapes, communicates, and legitimizes stories and lived experiences within broader cultural narratives. Through discussion and active engagement, participants will examine the relationship between identity, place, and representation, considering how cultural and social norms influence the ways audiences interpret and experience art.
Drawing on perspectives from art history, museum studies, and cultural studies, the course will be of particular interest to artists seeking to deepen their understanding of audience engagement and interpretation, as well as anyone interested in exploring how the public learns to engage with and make meaning from different forms of artistic expression, including photography, abstract art, narrative works, and portraiture.
The course will include a field trip, weekly discussions, readings, and reflective activities that encourage participants to connect key concepts and apply them to real-world contexts, culminating in a deeper understanding of the role of art in shaping cultural meaning and public dialogue.