Megan O’Grady is a critic and essayist whose writing draws from art history, memoir, and the lyric essay. Her magazine and newspaper journalism on contemporary art and literature—our experience of the work artists and writers make, its social and personal context—are often extensions of larger concerns about representation and identity, explored through immersive reading and looking. The origins of creativity and the way in which art negotiates cultural conversations over time are ongoing preoccupations. Subjects of her long-form profiles have included Glenn Ligon, Carrie Mae Weems, Beverly Pepper, Frank Stella, Elena Ferrante, Arthur Jafa, Pope.L, and Barbara Kruger. A frequent contributor to The New York Times, where she created the Culture Therapist column, her work also appears in The New Yorker and Vogue. Her book, How It Feels to Be Alive (under contract with FSG), is an inquiry into the way we live in books and art, their influence on our self-conception and the way we move in the world.
keywords
contemporary art, art criticism, race, gender, identity, cultural journalism, critical and curatorial studies
ARTS 4050 - Writing Across the Arts: Culture Writing in the 21st c
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022 / Spring 2024 / Summer 2024
In this culture writing class, we�ll listen in on and contribute to the conversation, touching on many forms of expression, from fine art to pop culture. Art, of course, does not exist solely in a museum or gallery, and we will consider�both in our reading and in written assignments-- its social context as well as, more personally, art�s capacity to challenge us, to incite empathy or self-scrutiny, to provoke and inspire. Same as ARTS 5050.
ARTS 4097 - Special Topics-Non-Studio
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021
Introduces timely subjects in the visual arts that cannot be offered on a regular basis. Information concerning the topics offered in any given semester is available prior to preregistration from the fine arts department. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Same as ARTS 5097.
ARTS 5050 - Writing Across the Arts: Culture Writing in the 21st c
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2024
In this culture writing class, we�ll listen in on and contribute to the conversation, touching on many forms of expression, from fine art to pop culture. Art, of course, does not exist solely in a museum or gallery, and we will consider�both in our reading and in written assignments-- its social context as well as, more personally, art�s capacity to challenge us, to incite empathy or self-scrutiny, to provoke and inspire. Same as ARTS 4050.
ARTS 5060 - Art Writing As Practice
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
This seminar is designed for visual artists in pre-thesis, supporting them in building a regular writing practice that will allow them to reflect upon and lend critical context to their creative work. Through written prompts, presentations and discussions--as well as looking to the example of artists we count as influences--we'll craft a narrative about our work and where it fits into larger conversations about art, identity, history, and our own times. Formerly offered as a special topics course. Same as ARTS 4060.
ARTS 5097 - Special Topics-Non-Studio
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022
Introduces timely subjects in the visual arts that cannot be offered on a regular basis. Information concerning the topics offered in any given semester is available prior to preregistration from the fine arts department. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Same as ARTS 4097.
ARTS 5118 - Visiting Artist Program
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2024
Artists of national and international reputation, interacting with graduate and advanced undergraduate students, discuss their studio work at seminar meetings and at public lectures or events. Provides continuous input of significant developments and a comprehensive view of contemporary issues in the arts. Same as ARTS 4118.
JRNL 4702 - Arts/Cultural Reporting and Criticism
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021 / Fall 2024
Emphasizes composition of criticism for the performing arts and other areas of entertainment. Same as JRNL 5702.
JRNL 5702 - Arts/Cultural Reporting and Criticism
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021 / Fall 2024
Emphasizes composition of criticism for the performing arts and other areas of entertainment. Same as JRNL 4702.
