In contrast to assignment-based studio classes, this course is a space for students to develop a self-motivated practice that delves deeply into self-directed material investigation and critical thinking. Faculty will meet individually with the students in weekly studio visits to encourage, support, and guide this process. All students will be asked to take ownership of their artistic process and will need to be able to discuss the content and rationale of their decisions with intelligence and commitment. Each student will be assigned two core faculty who they will meet every alternate week, with the ability to meet two other faculty through open signups. All art-making is seen as an integrated experience that allows for multiple means of expression used by a student. Regardless of which media students have explored before this semester, or whether they feel their practice is “defined” by a single discipline (painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, video, performance), new forms of experimentation are encouraged. Research is an essential element of this process and will help students understand the source and scope of their own ideas. In addition to the one-on-one weekly faculty meetings there will be group discussions and critiques at the start of each class.