Center for Community Arts and Cultural Policy

Community Arts

The Bob Ross Experience

Principal Investigators: Doug Blandy and Kristin G. Congdon (University of Central Florida)

Bob Ross influenced painting Bob Ross' PBS television series as well as art classes based on the Bob Ross method, have captivated an international audience by promising participants that they can create immediate oil painted masterworks worthy of framing and hanging. Associated with the series and classes is a million dollar arts supply enterprise. Integral to the success of the show, the classes, and the enterprise is Bob Ross' charisma. Ross' death in 1995 at 52 encouraged an outpouring of grief and fan solidarity that has been described as "cult like."

The purpose of this research is to consider Bob Ross and the Bob Ross method of art instruction within the context of American popular culture and arts education. Through taking courses in the Bob Ross Method, analyzing Bob Ross video-tapes, interviewing participants in the Rob Ross method, and through a review of literature this study will provide insight into electronic media as a source of education, the role of personality in contributing to arts movements, the corporate connections between education and enterprise in a capitalistic society, the sociological and psychological motivations for making arts, the relationship of class to aesthetic preferences, the history of amateur arts instruction, and the relations of art to leisure.

ChinaVine

Principal Investigators: Doug Blandy and Kristin G. Congdon (University of Central Florida (UCF)

Chinavine Website ChinaVine's mission is to educate English-speaking children, youth, and adults about the material and intangible cultural heritage of China. The primary means through which the mission is achieved is through an interactive website.

http://www.chinavine.org

Matter Matters: Art Education and Material Culture Studies

An anthology edited by Doug Blandy and Paul Bolin (University of Texas at Austin) to be published by the National Art Education Association

Material culture is any and all human-constructed or human-mediated objects, forms, or expressions, manifested consciously or unconsciously through culturally acquired behaviors. This edited volume is intended as a significant contribution to the growing dialogue about material culture, particularly as it pertains to the field of art education. The book will address theoretical and practical issues related to the study of and teaching about a range of objects and expressions in our world. The editors of this volume are seeking authors who desire to explore theoretical or practical issues related to teaching with and through objects, particularly those objects and expressions not commonly associated with traditional art education experiences. In recent years there has been increased discussion regarding material culture within a wide array of scholarly fields, including art education, yet more conversation on this topic is needed. This book will provide a forum and focal point for such discussion.

Witness this Moment: Zines and Do-It-Yourself Democracy

Curators: Doug Blandy and Robert Voelker-Morris

Zines

Ths virtual exhibit represents the explorations of the students and faculty associated with the Zines and Do-It-Yourself Democracy freshman seminar at the University of Oregon. This exhibit features examples of zines created by zinesters from around the United States as well as by students in the seminar.

http://aad.uoregon.edu/culturework/zines/index.html

Community Engaged Scholarship

Principal Investigator: Lori L. Hager, Ph.D.

In recognition of the growth of the Community Arts field, and community-engaged scholarship, this initiative supports active engagement with professional and academic communities committed to these developments. In 2007, the University of Oregon joined Imagining America, a national consortium of colleges and universities committed to public scholarship in the arts, humanities, and design. I engage in national dialogues around critical issues through public presentations and panel participation, and along with UO Vice Provost Terri Warpinski, convened a regional delegation in the first "West by Northwest" IA meeting in the spring 2007. As part of the Advisory Board for the Nathan Cummings Community Arts Convening and Research Project, I participate in national convenings and dialogue to advance the field of Community Arts and Community Cultural Development.

http://www.imaginingamerica.org

http://www.mica.edu/communityartsconvening

ePortfolios

Principal Investigator: Lori L. Hager, Ph.D.

Our project examines the broad question: "What eportfolio process and system can best address student-centered assessment, diverse curricular requirements, and community engaged learning?" We will work with three academic units, including Architecture, Business, and Education, to develop student learning outcomes informed through the eportfolio process, focusing on shared learning outcomes, such as leadership, teamwork, and community engagement." ePortfolios began in the Arts and Administration Program in 2005. In the fall of 2007, we were invited to present our project at the International ePortfolio conference in Maastricht. This year we became a member of the fifth cohort of the Intern/National Coalition for Electronic Portfolio Research.

eportfolio.uoregon.edu

ncepr.org/

Teaching the Arts

Principal Investigator: Lori L. Hager, Ph.D.

The purpose of this research is to establish baseline information about who delivers the arts, and types of arts programs offered to youth in Eugene, with a focus on arts delivery: that is, who teaches the arts, what they teach, and how they are being prepared to teach. The goals of the research are to establish a research model for other such assessments in the state, and to establish a needs assessment for the development of a professional credential for Teaching Artists. This research initiative is in line with state and national efforts underway to assess the field, including the Oregon-based.



CCACP Home Research - Research - Community Arts - Cultural Policy - Cultural Heritage and Interpretation - Cultural Diversity and Social Inclusion Programs - Programs - Cultural Policy Symposium - Visting Scholar Series - Research Interest Group for International Cultural Policy and Administration Publications - Publications - - - - Participating Faculty - Participating Faculty Members	Home > Research > Community Arts Community Arts The Bob Ross Experience Principal Investigators: Doug Blandy and Kristin G. Congdon (University of Central Florida) Bob Ross' PBS television series as well as art classes based on the Bob Ross method, have captivated an international audience by promising participants that they can create immediate oil painted masterworks worthy of framing and hanging. Associated with the series and classes is a million dollar arts supply enterprise. Integral to the success of the show, the classes, and the enterprise is Bob Ross' charisma. Ross' death in 1995 at 52 encouraged an outpouring of grief and fan solidarity that has been described as "cult like." The purpose of this research is to consider Bob Ross and the Bob Ross method of art instruction within the context of American popular culture and arts education. Through taking courses in the Bob Ross Method, analyzing Bob Ross video-tapes, interviewing participants in the Rob Ross method, and through a review of literature this study will provide insight into electronic media as a source of education, the role of personality in contributing to arts movements, the corporate connections between education and enterprise in a capitalistic society, the sociological and psychological motivations for making arts, the relationship of class to aesthetic preferences, the history of amateur arts instruction, and the relations of art to leisure. ChinaVine Principal Investigators: Doug Blandy and Kristin G. Congdon (University of Central Florida (UCF) ChinaVine's mission is to educate English-speaking children, youth, and adults about the material and intangible cultural heritage of China. The primary means through which the mission is achieved is through an interactive website. http://www.chinavine.org Matter Matters: Art Education and Material Culture Studies An anthology edited by Doug Blandy and Paul Bolin (University of Texas at Austin) to be published by the National Art Education Association Material culture is any and all human-constructed or human-mediated objects, forms, or expressions, manifested consciously or unconsciously through culturally acquired behaviors. This edited volume is intended as a significant contribution to the growing dialogue about material culture, particularly as it pertains to the field of art education. The book will address theoretical and practical issues related to the study of and teaching about a range of objects and expressions in our world. The editors of this volume are seeking authors who desire to explore theoretical or practical issues related to teaching with and through objects, particularly those objects and expressions not commonly associated with traditional art education experiences. In recent years there has been increased discussion regarding material culture within a wide array of scholarly fields, including art education, yet more conversation on this topic is needed. This book will provide a forum and focal point for such discussion. Witness this Moment: Zines and Do-It-Yourself Democracy Curators: Doug Blandy and Robert Voelker-Morris Ths virtual exhibit represents the explorations of the students and faculty associated with the Zines and Do-It-Yourself Democracy freshman seminar at the University of Oregon. This exhibit features examples of zines created by zinesters from around the United States as well as by students in the seminar. http://aad.uoregon.edu/culturework/zines/index.html Community Engaged Scholarship Principal Investigator: Lori L. Hager, Ph.D. In recognition of the growth of the Community Arts field, and community-engaged scholarship, this initiative supports active engagement with professional and academic communities committed to these developments. In 2007, the University of Oregon joined Imagining America, a national consortium of colleges and universities committed to public scholarship in the arts, humanities, and design. I engage in national dialogues around critical issues through public presentations and panel participation, and along with UO Vice Provost Terri Warpinski, convened a regional delegation in the first "West by Northwest" IA meeting in the spring 2007. As part of the Advisory Board for the Nathan Cummings Community Arts Convening and Research Project, I participate in national convenings and dialogue to advance the field of Community Arts and Community Cultural Development. http://www.imaginingamerica.org http://www.mica.edu/communityartsconvening ePortfolios Principal Investigator: Lori L. Hager, Ph.D. Our project examines the broad question: "What eportfolio process and system can best address student-centered assessment, diverse curricular requirements, and community engaged learning?" We will work with three academic units, including Architecture, Business, and Education, to develop student learning outcomes informed through the eportfolio process, focusing on shared learning outcomes, such as leadership, teamwork, and community engagement." ePortfolios began in the Arts and Administration Program in 2005. In the fall of 2007, we were invited to present our project at the International ePortfolio conference in Maastricht. This year we became a member of the fifth cohort of the Intern/National Coalition for Electronic Portfolio Research. eportfolio.uoregon.edu ncepr.org/ Teaching the Arts Principal Investigator: Lori L. Hager, Ph.D. The purpose of this research is to establish baseline information about who delivers the arts, and types of arts programs offered to youth in Eugene, with a focus on arts delivery: that is, who teaches the arts, what they teach, and how they are being prepared to teach. The goals of the research are to establish a research model for other such assessments in the state, and to establish a needs assessment for the development of a professional credential for Teaching Artists. This research initiative is in line with state and national efforts underway to assess the field, including the Oregon-based.