SOTA

Jasa McKenzie & Sarah Kuenzler

SOTA: State of the Arts is a podcast exploring contemporary art of the Twin Cities and beyond! We discuss international art news, critical topics affecting the art world today, and interview local artists. Hosted by art historian Sarah Kuenzler and curator Jasa McKenzie.

  1. 12/16/2020

    Art in Rural Places

    Hello, SOTAns! Did you know that both of your hosts are from very rural places? This week, we're tapping into our rural roots to discuss how art can make an economic impact on the USA's small, rural towns. We lay out some common facets of rural culture then, bring in some exciting examples of rural towns that have successfully made art a pinnacle of their economy. Although this podcast centers around the Twin Cities, let's not discount the dynamic possibilities of our rural neighbors! References: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/five_ways_the_arts_impact_rural_economies https://www.ozy.com/the-new-and-the-next/can-the-arts-save-rural-america-from-the-recession/277323/ https://www.governing.com/gov-institute/voices/col-growing-economic-importance-arts-rural-america.html

    30 min

  2. 12/08/2020

    The Nonprofit Industrial Complex

    Greetings, SOTAns! So many of the arts organizations we love are nonprofits, many of which we have talked about on the podcast before. We even work for them! Although there are so many fantastic NPOs in existence, there is a another lens to look at how their system came to be. Criticisms of the Nonprofit Industrial Complex speak to how this system helps the rich to maintain wealth control, suppress dissemination of radical ideas, upholds a top-down hierarchy within an organization, and is a way for the government to keep track of people's causes. Join us as we talk about what this complex is and how affects the organizations we interact with. References: https://incite-national.org/beyond-the-non-profit-industrial-complex/ https://communitycentricfundraising.org/2020/08/10/nonprofit-industrial-complex-101-a-primer-on-how-it-upholds-inequity-and-flattens-resistance/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grassroots

    45 min

  3. 12/01/2020

    Decolonize Art History: "Orientalism"

    Hello, SOTAns! Orientalism. We know–we're cringing with you. Many of us haven't heard this term since our Art History 101 class (which has also ALSO historically been problematic, as so we have discussed before). But, let us not pretend that it didn't exist or what colonial BS lead to its subject matter and its name. In this episode, Sarah guides us through its definition and traits while also calling out it's totally Western-Centric, exoticized existence. Join us while we break it down, and going forward we can help break the colonialism in art history all the way down.

    30 min

  4. 11/11/2020

    Accessibility in Curating

    Greetings, SOTAns! This week, we're going over some basics of accessibility in curating. Jasa recently took a class on this subject from the Node Center of Curatorial Studies and wants to pass this golden info along to all her SOTA friends. Join us for some entry-level concepts, ideas on how to make the arts more accessible, and of course some anecdotes and mispronunciations. Do you have some tips on how to make art spaces more accessible? We would love to hear from you!

    49 min

  5. 11/03/2020

    What is Conceptual Art?

    Hello SOTA-ns! In this episode, Jasa indulges Sarah's (not so inner) academic, allowing her to wax poetic about Conceptual Art, and theorize why this type of Art is the most hated among her family members. No, this isn't a bad thing - sometimes art pisses us off. Jasa makes sure to bring it back to structural racism and colonialism, and we entertain how old 19th century white guys set up the definition of what art is supposed to be.  As always, our music is provided by The Von Tramps.  #jeffkoons #dalechihuly #art #arthistory #conceptualart

    21 min

  6. 10/27/2020

    The Postponed Philip Guston Exhibition

    Hello SOTAns! Welcome back for another exciting week of critical art discussion. We're talking about the postponed Philip Guston exhibition–what the situation is and its various reactions. We explain the positives and negatives, both the pro- and anti-postponement perspectives. Join us and let us know what you think of this topical subject! Reference: National Gallery of Art Director Discusses the Decision to Delay the Philip Guston Exhibition - Hyperallergic

    31 min

  7. 10/21/2020

    Graffiti: But is it Art?

    Greetings, SOTAns! The answer is yes. Yes, graffiti is art. Someone who tells you otherwise probably has subconscious (or totally conscious) biasies. *Record scratch* But, let's go back to the beginning. We will tell you a bit about how this "non-art" stance got started and then satirize the institutional conception of "high" art. The Five Pillars of Hip Hop make a cameo. Then, we have some awesome examples of graffiti in museums and the larger art world. Join us!

    30 min

  8. 10/13/2020

    Fair Pay for Museum Customer Service

    Hello SOTAns! We hope you've had a lovely month and we are so glad to be back with our first-ever season! We've lined up some great content to keep you entertained and informed all the way through the rest of the year. Isn't it SOTA crazy that we're (thankfully) nearing the end of 2020? This episode, we are drawing from personal experience to illuminate the wide range of tasks that museum customer service staff has to master. We bet you'll be surprised at all the duties these workers have to juggle, even while working in a very precarious position. We advocate for living–not minimum–wage and brainstorm ideas for additional ways museums can be friendlier work places for their front-of-house staff. Have you ever held one of these positions? Have thought about how to improve them? Let us know!

    46 min
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Trailer

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About

SOTA: State of the Arts is a podcast exploring contemporary art of the Twin Cities and beyond! We discuss international art news, critical topics affecting the art world today, and interview local artists. Hosted by art historian Sarah Kuenzler and curator Jasa McKenzie.

Information

  • Creator
    Jasa McKenzie & Sarah Kuenzler
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2020
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jasa McKenzie & Sarah Kuenzler
  • Show Website
    SOTA