Elsie Hill ISPO sample post Spring 2012

2D Graduate Studio- Fall 2012

ISPO (Individual Studio Practice Objective) SAMPLE

Instructions: Your ISPO is a single running document that outlines your goals, chronicles your production levels, and describes your research methods.   Please use the following as a template as a starting point only.  Your ISPO should be located on the MFA Studio Blog and posted with your name ie: Elsie's ISPO.  This document is open for the class to read and add comments.  Though your ideas and directions change throughout the semester, you will be held accountable for what you state in your ISPO. You must make bi-weekly blog entries to your ISPO in terms of progress on your studio practice and research.  Please use the "edit" function to do this and simply add to the original document.  Please add photos, bibliographies, and dated updates as you go.  We will discuss this document in terms of what you are doing in your studio and research each time we meet.  Your peers will comment on your ISPO each time they visit your studio.  

Mid-term Goals:

Write at least three short-term studio production objectives  (what is going on in your studio now) and include how you will achieve them: (2-7 weeks-midterm) These goals should be specific and push you to advance your skill and knowledge of your own work. Include smaller projects and ideas for how you want to start the semester. You should include quantitative goals as well as qualitative goals for where you want to be in your studio practice by mid-term.

Write at least three short-term studio research objectives ( what you are researching now) and include how you will achieve them: (2-7 weeks-midterm) Think practical and realistic but be creative here.  Your research should include bibliographies, materials you are using, artists, techniques, interviews, travel, or discussion.


Add dated progression updates : (and highlight them in color if you wish:)
January 25,  I met with Janet and we discussed how to best use the ISPO.  It is best to post photos of her work and additions to the ISPO directly on the document.  You can save the comments for random thoughts, member comments, and general critique. 

Semester Goals:

Write at least three long-term studio production projections (7-15 weeks- final group critique) These goals should be more broad and include big ideas for larger projects or bodies of work.  Where you want to be at the end of the semester will depend on where you are in your MFA program.


These goals change and grow so don't be shy about telling your blog audience how you tossed out ideas or how they have morphed into new ones.   You can edit your projections as much as you need to but be sure to keep most of the basics so that you have a record of your thoughts.  

What are three concrete steps you have taken or will take toward achieving each long-term studio production goal? This section should be filled out only as you begin to achieve some of your short term goals and can tie them in with your long term projections. 

What kind of research and support do you need to keep going toward your long-term production goals and to continue your studio practice?  This section also depends on where you are in your MFA program.


And don't forget to add images: of your work, of work that inspires, or work that you just want to discuss.