Workshop & independent study project
All students in the Chicago Programs pursue Independent Study Projects (ISP) related to their academic and professional goals. Ideally, these will be projects that draw on the city’s resources to create something original: e.g., a work of art, a research paper, a service project, or a business prospectus.
Arts students enroll in an ISP "Workshop", which consists of weekly peer revision sessions, as well as individualized guidance meetings with a faculty member. Many of the exercises and projects in the "Creative Process Seminar" will provide convenient jumping off points for deeper Independent Study Projects; however, students may also find inspiration outside of the seminar curriculum.
Arts ISP's can be creative in nature or scholarly, as long as they engage directly or indirectly with the Chicago experience. While the Arts Seminar will primarily focus on the early inspirational stages of the creative process, the Workshop will explore the later processes of revision. Students will bring works in progress to share with their peers and teachers for feedback and guidance. Special effort will be invested in cultivating a safe environment of trust and respect. In the end, Arts students will decide, as workshop members, how best to share their individual work in a broader context.
Chicago Arts students might choose to locate a master artist or participate in art classes as means of developing their art through the ISP. Prospective students are encouraged to discuss such options with the ACM Program Director and their advisors well in advance of the program to determine appropriate projects.