Recently, Designed

M Bailey, Robin Barthelemy, Theodora Chrysanthopolous

Recently, Designed

Curated by: Chase Dougherty

Artist(s): M Bailey, Robin Barthelemy, Theodora Chrysanthopolous

The abrupt and immediate closure of several art institutions in the region is an indicator of a shift in societal value systems. As each organization reported when announcing its decision to close, enrollment had been declining for years, while financial burdens and expenses had been increasing. These are certainly indicative of larger economic factors but also suggest a systemic disregard for the critical role that the arts perform in our lives. While larger funding and resources diminish, more investment is asked of the students themselves, but what happens when those educational opportunities no longer exist?

The attitude that these industries are not worthy of a formal education stems from the concept that they are “fun”, not necessarily rigorous. Creativity is integral to the success of many fields and to remove educational opportunities to access those career tracks would be detrimental to our pipeline of innovative thinkers. The presentation of both recent alumni and mid-program students showcases the very real individuals who were left behind to reshape their futures. This season, as we celebrate the versatile ways in which we understand and advocate for design, we also ask what are the implications and consequences of eliminating programs and resources dedicated to the next generation of design thinkers?

We are thrilled to be exhibiting samples of student work, while also creating a space for all those affected by these recent closures to process and respond. In doing so, we hope to attest to the overall significance of both present and past students’ contributions as creative innovators, designers, and artists.