ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy from Coursera

Students of this course may try their hand at their own public art interventions, or simply focus on learning from the theory of public practice and its recent history. Designed by artist and Duke professor, Pedro Lasch, and co-taught by Creative Time artistic director, Nato Thompson, this course presents public culture and art in their radically reinenvented contemporary forms. The lectures link major developments of recent decades to wider topics like spatial politics, everyday social structures, and experimental education.

Also included are guest presentations from key thinkers and practitioners, like: Tania Bruguera, Claire Doherty, Tom Finkelpearl, Hans Haacke, Shannon Jackson, Suzanne Lacy, Rick Lowe, and many more. As the ‘ART of the MOOC’ title implies, learners and participants are encouraged to treat the MOOC itself as a public art medium. This happens mostly through the course’s practical components, local project productions, global exchanges, and critical feedback.

While no prior art making experience is required, projects also offer challenging options for advanced learners.

For other course offerings or language versions in this series, just search 'ART of the MOOC' in the Coursera catalog.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Public Art and Pedagogy

This short module provides an overview of the course's structure, working process, global community, and overall guidelines. Make sure to read it right away and refer back to it when needed.

Public Art and Spatial Politics: Lectures, Guest Presentations, and Quiz

This lesson will lay out some basic definitions and examples of public practice and socially engaged art, especially as they relate to spatial politics. We will examine the critical role that such practices have had in relation to various forms of urbanism and social planning and consider the physical and symbolic mechanisms that separate the global and the local, the urban and the rural, the visible and the invisible, citizens and immigrants, settlers and refugees. The lecture and guest presentations will provide foundation and inspiration for students’ own experiments with spatial politics.

Public Art and Spatial Politics: Projects and Self-Assessments

The prompt, lecture and guest presentations will provide the foundation and inspiration for students’ own experiments. These student experiments were originally peer reviewed projects in the ART of the MOOC series, but have now been made entirely optional and self-reviewed. If you want to do them, we recommend you chose one of the two options (one is more social, the other more individual) and complete the optional quiz after you are done. Your project submissions and the quiz are not graded, so they will not impact your performance in the course.

Fictions, Alternative Structures, and Mock-Institutions: Lectures, Guest Presentations, and Quiz

By definition, social art is a collective endeavor. It might seek to transform larger social structures and economies. Perhaps more modestly, it might offer some alternatives or simply confront immediate challenges. The production of an unusual, creative, or engaged collective body can be its final goal. In this lesson we will learn how socially engaged artists have used the guise or actual form of organizations and institutions such as churches, corporations, banks, government offices, and other social units as the very media of their work. This lesson’s practical components will ask students to invent their own alternative social structures or fictional interventions.

Fictions, Alternative Structures, and Mock-Institutions: Projects and Self-Assessments

Experimental Pedagogy: Lectures, Guest Presentations, and Quiz

Many socially engaged artists are invested in the communication of ideas through education or educational projects. From Freire and Boal to Judy Chicago and Miriam Shapiro’s Womanhouse and the CalArts Feminist Art Program a brief review of experimental or radical pedagogy and its influence on art is hence the focus of this lesson. Using various technologies and social forms, some of these works set out to transform education from within. Others intentionally position themselves as self-organized platforms outside of institutions. Our focus will be on how the production of alternative communities of learning can challenge the hierarchies, professionalization, homogenization, and economy of current education systems. This week’s practical components will invite students to rethink their relationship to education as they chose between small-scale socialization and massive collaboration.

Experimental Pedagogy: Projects and Self-Reflection

The prompt, lecture and guest presentations will provide a foundation and inspiration for students’ own experiments with spatial politics.The prompt, lecture and guest presentations will provide the foundation and inspiration for students’ own experiments. These student experiments were originally peer reviewed projects in the ART of the MOOC series, but have now been made entirely optional and self-reviewed. If you want to do them, we recommend you chose one of the two options (one is more social, the other more individual) and complete the optional quiz after you are done. Your project submissions and the quiz are not graded, so they will not impact your performance in the course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces students to public art practices and their significance in contemporary society

Provides a platform for students to engage in their own public art projects

Features guest lectures from renowned artists and practitioners in public art

Taught by experienced instructors with extensive knowledge and expertise in public practice

Examines the intersection of public art with social and political issues

Encourages students to explore the use of public spaces as a medium for artistic intervention

Reviews summary

Public art course with engaging content

Learners say that this course is engaging, well-organized, and informative. They especially valued the guest speakers, thought-provoking content, and responsive instructors. Additionally, students reported experiencing a significant shift in their perspective on public art. However, a couple of learners mentioned some speed and presentation issues.

Instructors are knowledgeable and responsive to student questions.

"This course was excellent. The content was really engaging, the tutors were very responsive and the assignments were interesting."

"The tutors were very responsive and the assignments were interesting."

Course modules are well-structured and meticulously designed.

"Impressively organized, the course featured meticulously designed modules and instructors of remarkable expertise."

"This course was excellent. The content was really engaging, the tutors were very responsive and the assignments were interesting."

Course includes interesting videos and guest lecturers.

"This course was excellent. The content was really engaging, the tutors were very responsive and the assignments were interesting."

"A lot of interesting content, fabulous guest speakers, and thought-provoking arrangement."

Some learners found the course rushed and lacking transcripts.

"There could have been better efforts to produce a printed transcript of some of the videos that is a correct transcript and not bad close-captioning."

"Also, as someone else said, with the high pacing of the course, one often feels dropped in the middle of a much longer discussion (which one probably is, due to editing constraints), so what should be a solid overview ends up feeling like a break-neck I-missed-something course."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy with these activities:

Review 'The Social Construction of Reality' by Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann

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Gain insights into the social construction of public culture and art.

View The New Sociology of Knowledge on Amazon

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Read the book and highlight key passages.
Summarize the main arguments of the book in a written review.
Identify examples from contemporary public art that illustrate these arguments.

Compile a Portfolio of Public Art Resources

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Enhance knowledge of public art by collecting and organizing relevant materials.

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Search online and in libraries for articles, books, and websites about public art.
Collect images, videos, and other media that illustrate different aspects of public art.
Organize your materials into a portfolio that you can reference for future projects and research.

Attend a Public Art Workshop or Festival

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Gain practical experience and network with professionals in the field.

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Research upcoming public art events and identify one that aligns with your interests.
Attend the event and participate in activities, demonstrations, or workshops.
Network with artists, curators, and other attendees.

Three other activities

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Exercises in spatial boundary exploration

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Reinforce understanding of spatial politics through practical exercises in exploring boundaries.

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Identify a public space and observe its physical and social boundaries.
Create a map or diagram of the space, marking the boundaries.
Interview people in the space about their perceptions of the boundaries.
Write a report summarizing your observations and analysis.

Peer Critiques and Reflections

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Enhance critical thinking and communication skills through peer feedback and analysis.

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Select a piece of public art or a social intervention that you find interesting.
Write a brief analysis of the work, discussing its strengths and weaknesses.
Share your analysis with a peer and engage in a discussion about the work.

Interactive Digital Map of Public Art

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Develop technical skills and contribute to the field by creating a digital resource on public art.

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Identify a specific type or theme of public art that you want to focus on.
Research existing artworks and gather data on their location, artist, and description.
Create a website or use an online mapping platform to display the data in an interactive and engaging way.

Career center

Learners who complete ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public Artist

A Public Artist creates art that is intended to be experienced by the public in a public space. For this role, the course ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy would be highly valuable. It provides a foundation in spatial politics, everyday social structures, and experimental education. These concepts are essential for understanding the role of art in society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Artist

Teacher

A Teacher helps people to learn and grow. For this role, the course ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy would be highly valuable. It provides a foundation in experimental education. Beyond this, it can help develop the critical thinking and communication skills needed to be an effective teacher.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Educator

Art Educators teach visual arts to students of all ages. For this role, the course ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy may be useful. It provides a foundation in spatial politics, everyday social structures, and experimental education. These concepts are essential for understanding the role of art in society and for developing effective teaching methods.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educator

Social Worker

A Social Worker helps people to cope with personal and social problems. For this role, the course ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy may be useful. It provides a foundation in everyday social structures, spatial politics, and experimental education. These concepts are essential for understanding the challenges faced by people in different communities and for developing effective social work interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Urban Planner

An Urban Planner develops plans and policies for the use of land in urban areas. For this role, the course ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy may be useful. It provides a foundation in spatial politics, everyday social structures, and experimental education. These concepts are essential for understanding the social and physical dynamics of urban areas and for developing effective planning policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Researcher

A Researcher gathers information and analyzes data to answer questions or solve problems. For this role, the course ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy may be useful. It introduces learners to key thinkers and practitioners in the field of public art and provides a foundation in spatial politics, everyday social structures, and experimental education. These concepts are essential for understanding the role of art in society and for developing research methods.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher

Writer

A Writer creates written content, such as articles, books, and scripts. For this role, the course ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy may be useful. It introduces learners to key thinkers and practitioners in the field of public art and provides a foundation in spatial politics, everyday social structures, and experimental education. These concepts are essential for understanding the role of art in society and for developing the writing skills needed to effectively communicate about public art.

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Art Critic

An Art Critic reviews, analyzes, and writes about visual art. For this role, the course ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy may be useful. It introduces learners to key thinkers and practitioners in the field of public art and provides a foundation in spatial politics, everyday social structures, and experimental education. These concepts are essential for understanding the role of art in society and for developing critical writing skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Critic

Graphic designer

A Graphic Designer creates visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. For this role, the course ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy may be useful. It introduces learners to key thinkers and practitioners in the field of public art and provides a foundation in spatial politics, everyday social structures, and experimental education. These concepts are essential for understanding the role of art in society and for developing the skills needed to create visually appealing and effective designs.

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Curator

A Curator is responsible for planning and managing exhibitions in museums, galleries, and other public spaces. A course on public art and pedagogy would be helpful for this role as it would provide a foundation in spatial politics, everyday social structures, and experimental education. This course would be especially helpful for someone interested in curating public art exhibitions or working in community-based arts organizations.

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Museum Director

A Museum Director is responsible for the overall operation of a museum. For this role, the course ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy may be useful. It provides a foundation in spatial politics, everyday social structures, and experimental education. These concepts are essential for understanding the role of art in society and for developing the skills needed to manage a museum.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Director

Art Director

An Art Director oversees the visual aspects of a project, such as a film, television show, or magazine. For this role, the course ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy may be useful. It provides a foundation in spatial politics, everyday social structures, and experimental education. These concepts are essential for understanding the role of art in society and for developing the skills needed to create visually appealing and effective projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Gallery Director

A Gallery Director is responsible for the overall operation of an art gallery. For this role, the course ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy may be useful. It provides a foundation in spatial politics, everyday social structures, and experimental education. These concepts are essential for understanding the role of art in society and for developing the skills needed to manage an art gallery.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gallery Director