• Viewing a gallery

    Studio Art in Berlin

  • Students at work

    Studio Art in Berlin

  • Berlin Wall

    Studio Art in Berlin

Introduction

This program is tentatively scheduled to be offered again in summer 2022. 

The Studio Art in Berlin program provides an "insider's" view of the contemporary art scene in one of the most active and esteemed art locations in the world. A local painter who works in Berlin will work with UNI painting professor Kenneth Hall to guide UNI students through both the "famous" and the emerging galleries and artist studios within the city. Students will respond to these cultural day trips with daily drawing and painting assignments, synthesizing this visual inspiration with their own creativity. This studio experience, combined with these contemporary art excursions, provides a unique opportunity for students to learn vital skills in the practice of studio art.

A wonderful program that incorporated art history and contemporary art, as well as our own concepts and practice. -Emily, 2018

So many museums, galleries, artist talks, that are invaluable to learning about building one's art practice and continuation after college. It was just amazing and I learned SO MUCH. I miss Berlin already and wish I could go back tomorrow! -Emily, 2018

 

Location

Course Leaders

Kenneth Hall, Associate Professor

Department: Art
Phone: 319-273-6142
E-mail: kenneth.hall@uni.edu
Campus Address: KAB 104

Academics

ART 3001: Drawing III (3 credit hours) or ART 3050: Painting II (3 credit hours) or ART 3055: Painting III (3 credit hours) or ART 4000: Undergraduate Studio Drawing (3 credit hours) or ART 4000: Undergraduate Studio Painting (3 credit hours)

  • Drawing III (ART 3001) prerequisite(s): ART 1011 and ART 1022
  • Painting II (ART 3050) prerequisite(s): ART 2050
  • Painting III (ART 3055) prerequisite(s): ART 3050
  • Undergraduate Studio: Drawing (ART 4000) prerequisite(s): 9 hours in chosen area; consent of instructor
  • Undergraduate Studio: Painting (ART 4000) prerequisite(s): 9 hours in chosen area; consent of instructor

Preference will be given to Juniors/Seniors and to Art Majors. Participants will be enrolled into ONE of the courses listed above. 

The Studio Art in Berlin course is intended to provide UNI art majors with a unique experience that combines contemporary art gallery and museum visits with a hands-on response in the studio. Approximately four hours per day is the daily response to the provocative and insightful visits with contemporary artists and tours of local galleries and museums. Berlin artist/painter Jason Benedict is an experienced contemporary artist and program liaison who helps provide a rich experience of local art along with the stability of a daily studio regimen. This is an upper level art studio course, and will help students to synthesize concepts about contemporary art with their own art practice. Expected learning outcomes include a journal of both visual and written/verbal ideas and a body of work that is produced within the studio. Contemporary art readings will be assigned, and students will respond with written journal entries on a weekly basis.

Students will also be encouraged to think about cultural differences while in Germany, and will be expected to respond to these differences by way of their artwork and artist statements produced during the course experience.

Participation in this program requires several class meetings throughout the spring semester, although participants will be enrolled into a summer course. The Study Abroad Center will direct enroll participants in their selected course during the spring semester. A Google Form will be sent out to participants for them to indicate their enrollment selection.  Please contact the program's course leader for more information on academic requirements.  

NOTES:

  • Students planning to participate in the spring commencement ceremony in May can enroll in this summer term program, however, their degree will not be conferred until the end of the summer term and is contingent on the successful completion of the program and all required coursework.
  • Students attending colleges and universities other than UNI are welcome to participate in this program. If you are not currently a UNI student, but would like to participate in this program, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.

Itinerary

Tentative Program Dates: May 2022

Sample itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1: Arrival in Berlin; group dinner

Day 2: Meet at U-Bahn Mehringdamm and purchase materials for the program, then meet at studio space

Day 3: View public art and/or take a boat ride to see architecture; work on projects

Day 4: Visit Finnland-Institut in Deutschland: “Memory Traces”; go to MMX: View exhibition/Artist talk: David Krepfle and Kuma Galerie: exhib. Part of Memory Traces

Day 5: Studio visit by Jason Benedict and visit galleries in Zimmerstr:

Day 6: Work day; flea-market in the afternoon

Day 7: Work day 

Day 8: Studio visit; visit galleries on Heidenstr.

Day 9: Visit Hamburger Bahnhoff (museum for contemporary art); Exhibition: Walton Ford, “Bestiarium”

Day 10: Studio Visit: Gretta Louw

Day 11: Visit galleries on Brunnenstr. Visit Art Lab Berlin

Day 12: Work day

Day 13: Takt open studios

Day 14: Work day 

Day 15: Visit galleries on Auguststr. 

Days 16- 18: Galleries and work days; exact schedule TBA 

Day 19: Work day (Last day! Critiques and pack!)

Day 20: Departure 

Housing & Meals

Students will stay in a hotel or hostel arranged by the Study Abroad Center and paid for before departure. Most meals will be paid for by students out-of-pocket while abroad, including breakfasts. Only 1-2 group meals are built into the cost of the program. Students are encouraged to try the local foods.

Program Costs

Dates & Deadlines

APPLY

Term: 
Summer
2022

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to Study Abroad. Students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to Study Abroad:

  • Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
    • If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
    • Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.
  • Must be over the age of 18 years old
  • Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
  • Must be in good standing with the University
  • UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements if applicable.
  • Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.
  • All study abroad applicants must pass the Study Abroad Applicant Assessment with a score of 70% or greater.
  • Applicants may be selected for an in-person interview before being accepted. Selection for an interview does not guarantee acceptance into the program. You will be contacted directly by the Study Abroad Center if selected for an interview.