Unit 2: Who Makes Art – Process and Training
This unit explores artistic processes in their social contexts, covering individual artists turning their ideas into works of art, forms of collaborative creative projects, public art, and the role of the viewer.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- explain the meaning of both form and content; and
- describe the role of the critic.
- explain the meaning of both form and content; and
Artistic Process Primer
Reflect on this discussion prompt. If you wish, post your thoughts on the discussion forum. Consider replying to your classmates' posts as well.
Who makes art? Do you think artists have innate ability or acquired skill (or both)? How do artists' roles change with different cultural considerations?
2.1: The Artistic Process
This article is an introduction to the elements involved in creating a work of art.
2.2: The Individual Artist
Artists work in a variety of ways. Read this section to get a sense of the individual differences in artists' style of work.
Reflect on this discussion prompt. If you wish, post your thoughts on the discussion forum. Leave a reply to your classmates' posts as well!
Watch at least five short videos from Art21. Watch how they work and what they say about their process. In your post, cover the following:
- List the artists you viewed.
- Who surprised you the most?
- Which artist was most concerned with the process of making the work?
- Which artist was most concerned with creativity in the idea for their art or the work itself?
- Which artist was most concerned with materials?
- List the artists you viewed.
2.3: Artistic Training Methods
Read this text to understand the ways people have historically trained to become artists and how artists are trained today.
2.4: Art as a Social Activity
- Historically, many artworks were not created by a single person, and art production today is also often the result of people working together. Read this section as an introduction to how artists collaborate with other artists as well as non-artists when producing works of art.
Unit 2 Wrap-up
This activity asks you to reflect on the differences between collaborative and solitary art projects.
- Receive a grade
Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.