As journalism continues its radical metamorphosis, a growing number of legacy and small-scale publications express interest or seek to incorporate work made by artists. As thought leaders in society, artists are distinctively adept at instigating and encouraging a more engaged and informed public, whether they are addressing disinformation or climate degradation, harmful technologies or immigration, surveillance or politically motivated violence. ‘Artists Report’ will teach artists seeking to make work that reaches out from beyond museums and galleries, the tools and tactics of an investigative practice, as well as help students familiarize themselves with the language and codes of the journalism field. Through case studies, and lectures from artists, journalists and editors currently facilitating artist-led storytelling, students will understand what it takes to foster true collaborations with publications, editors and journalists and create new contexts for artistic investigative work. The class will focus on daily news readings and longer-form investigative pieces, as well as writings from artists such as Molly Crabapple, Naeem Moahaiemen, Mel Chin, Joe Sacco, Errol Morris, Ruddy Roye, James Bridle, Surya Mattu, Paul Chan, and Tania Bruguera. Additionally, we will read texts from Jean Baudrillard, Teju Cole, Judith Butler, Susan Sontag, and Alfredo Cramerotti that focus on the history, philosophy, and theory of visual culture, artists, and the news.

Students will be expected to produce short journalistic and investigative texts initially. Final projects can take the shape of either a long-format investigation, an audio news story, or a visual story. Everything produced will be required to take the form of a work that can be found in a major newspaper.

Open to Sophomore, Junior, Senior or Graduate Students.

Elective