A call for participation:
This study focuses on female glass artists from emerging to established in their careers through qualitative interviews to reflect on the challenges and successes they have experienced. Their stories (potentially your story) will be cross referenced with descriptive quantitative data gathered from the institutions they (you) have interacted with as artists, students, and/or educators. Through this mixed methods study using quantitative and multiple kinds of qualitative data, I will provide a critical but nuanced look at the field and how female glass artists are currently working within its limitations.
Participant Eligibility: adult female-identifying artists utilizing glass as a material in their artistic practice.
Risks and Benefits: There are minimal risks associated with this study. Participants will not receive financial or other tangible compensation for participation in this research study. The benefits which may be reasonably expected to result from this study include a personally reflective process about your personal and career goals, engaging in a creative production of artwork, and heightened visibility of your professional accomplishments. We cannot and do not guarantee or promise that you will receive any benefits from this study. Your decision whether or not to participate in this study will not affect you in any way.
What does participating look like? (What is the commitment!?)
Ideally all participants would have options A, B, C completed for the study, but time, travel and funding have limitations. It is anticipated that the bulk of participants will participate in research activities A and C, while 20% will also participate in research activity B.
THE ACTIVITIES:
(A) Semi Structured Interview (x3)
Each interview will last approximately 60-90 minutes scheduled at a mutually convenient time. Can be held over the phone, via ZOOM, or in-person. 3 to 5 hour commitment total.
First interview focus- background information gathering, education and professional training, network, why glass? What is your day to day like?
Second Interview focus - challenges and opportunities, reflections on the past, what are some key moments that you experienced as you have navigated working as an artist? What advice would you give? Looking to the future - where do you see the field going? What do you hope for as a glass artist?
Third interview (optional) - this will be scheduled as a meeting for any additional follow up. You will also be given the opportunity to review the findings and ask any questions of me and how the information will be presented. The third interview may also take place in person, and could be combined with “A Day in the Studio”
(B) A Day in the Studio*
3 to 6 hour commitment (or longer if you need additional assistance in the studio during the session). Scheduled at a mutually convenient time.
I would arrange to visit your studio, and to assist you for a day with a project, or just document you working in your studio on a project. During this visit, I would document your process of working (your choice which project) and the studio environment. Documentation would involve a combination of video, time lapse video, and still photography. You would receive a copy of all audio/visual from this session, and permission to use visual documentation.
*option B is limited by travel funds, participants within a 10 hour driving range will be given priority. The researcher is applying for grants to cover travel funds for locations outside of that radius.
(C) Share Your Full CV
estimated time commitment 5 mins (or longer if you need to update your CV). Email.
I will be analyzing the CVs of artists who participate and also comparing CVs to male artists of similar career stages. I will go through the artist's CV and create a genealogy, looking at where each artist has shown, taught, taken classes, see what connections there are (artists, curators, faculty, etc).
To participate in Activity C - please forward your (most up to date) Full CV to me at mollyjoburke@gmail.com, email subject: Artist CV. Your CV ideally will include education history, exhibitions, teaching, lectures, workshops (taken and taught), publications, and volunteer history, etc.
Overall Time Commitment:
For those who participate in Activities A, B, and C, it is anticipated that you will commit 10-15 hours over the course of the study.