Cranbrook Summer Art Institute Boarding Program Information 2014 P.O. Box 801 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303 248-207-8562 [email protected] Cranbrook Summer Art Institute Welcome to the Cranbrook Summer Art Institute! As the program manager, it is my goal that you have a rewarding, challenging, productive time. I also hope you make new friendships with like-minded individuals during this intense time together. Finally, I hope that you are able to take what you learn at CSAI and make your future better—whether it means building better skills in your area of interest, improving your chances of getting into the college of your choice, or exploring new ideas to see how far you may want to pursue it. I am happy you have chosen to come to Cranbrook, a place known for its inspirational beauty, and look forward to getting to know you personally. –Chris Schneider This document should answer most of your questions about the Cranbrook Summer Art Institute, but it will not give information about your particular class. If you have a question that is not listed here, feel free to email [email protected] or call 248-207-8562. A Brief History of Cranbrook Cranbrook is one of the world’s leading centers of education, science and art. Comprised of a graduate Academy of Art, contemporary Art Museum, House & Gardens, natural history museum and Pre-K through 12 independent college preparatory schools, Cranbrook welcomes thousands of visitors and students to its campus each year. Cranbrook Academy of Art was founded through the inspired collaboration of George Gough Booth, a Detroit newspaper baron and philanthropist, and Eliel Saarinen, the Finnish architect who occupies a major position in the history of modern American design and architecture. In practice, the Academy was born of the Arts and Crafts concerns of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and emerged as the country's preeminent school of art, design, and architecture. Eliel Saarinen became the first president of the Academy. By the early 1930s, Saarinen had designed the Academy and attracted an illustrious group of artists and craftsmen, many from Europe, to work with him in informally structured groups, sharing ideas and talent. What escalated into an intense, interdisciplinary, highly creative community set the tone for the Academy's future as it attracted such renowned artists as Carl Milles, Harry Bertoia, Charles Eames, Maija Grotell, Eero Saarinen and Florence Knoll. These and numerous other Cranbrook artists have had a major impact on twentieth-century art, design and architecture. Formally founded in 1932, the Academy was given the power to grant degrees in 1942 and currently offers the Master of Fine Arts and the Master of Architecture degrees. Unlike other institutions, the Academy has chosen to remain small in size, offering students, faculty and visiting artists the benefits of close and creative relationships. The achievements and influence of Cranbrook artists, past and present, have been acknowledged nationally and internationally. The graduate-level Academy provides an environment that continues to nurture the high-quality learning experiences for which it is known. Currently the Academy is listed by the US New and World Report as one of the top graduate art programs in the United States. The Boarding Staff Every member of the boarding staff are affiliated with Cranbrook Academy of Art, either as a current student or as a recent graduate of the MFA program. This means that they are also all practicing and accomplished artists. They are a highly talented group of artists who know the campus and will be able to help your artistic development. We typically have a staff of four, called “resident supervisors”, but add staff in order to maintain a 5:1 student/staff ratio or better. Christopher Schneider is the program manager. He is the original developer of the program and the overall director. He earned his MFA in photography in 2003 at the Academy. He also teaches photography at two local colleges, directs a non-profit organization for artists, and is a practicing artist himself. Before living in Michigan, he taught high school for seven years in Nebraska and Florida. He earned a BS in English, Secondary Education and Coaching from the University of Nebraska. Arrival and Departure Arrival time is the Sunday before your session begins. Session one is June 22, session two is July 13 and session 3 is August 3. There are two ways for you to arrive: 1. At the airport. Try to arrive at the Detroit Metro airport (DTW) between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. EST or as close to that time as you can. A staff member, most likely Chris Schneider, will greet you with a sign saying “Cranbrook Summer Art Institute” at baggage claim. We will drive you by van or bus to campus. Some 14 year old students are required to be picked up at the gate according to airline rules. Please contact CSAI beforehand so we can plan accordingly. If you cannot arrive between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., we will still be able to meet you at baggage claim and transport you to campus. 2. On campus by car. You will find a map at the back of this packet. We will be ready to check you in between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. We will have a greeter at the north end of Academy Way near the Cranbrook Art Museum to meet you. Campus signs will guide you. If you have to arrive at a different time than above, please make arrangements with Chris Schneider, 248-207-8562 or [email protected]. Departure time is the Saturday after the last day of class. Session one is July 12, session two is August 2, and session three is August 16. All students should depart by noon. Friday evening departures are allowed but not encouraged and may be no earlier than 6 p.m. EST. Lunch will not be served on the final Saturday except for students staying for the following session. One again, you have two choices for departure: 1. By plane. Try to schdule a flight for the morning or early afternoon, preferably between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. EST. A bus or van will transport students to the airport, which takes 45 minutes. We will leave as early as we need in order to get the earliest person to the airport on time. In other words, if the earliest flight is scheduled for 8 a.m., all the students flying out will have to leave campus at 5:30 a.m. 2. By car. Plan on leaving no later than noon. You may be picked up from campus any time before noon at the north end of Academy Way. Do not leave until you and your room have been checked out by a resident supervisor. You may only leave with an immediate family member unless permission is given to the program manager by a parent or guardian. General Session Plan The following is a general plan for what will be occurring during your stay with us. There will be adjustments to the plan and many details added as the time near. This will at least give you a general idea of what to expect. Day 1: Check-in Sunday Check in with resident supervisors and move into your room. We will meet as a group at 8:00 p.m. for pizza and introductions. Once everyone is present (or close to everyone) the RS’s will acquaint you with the rules, take you around campus, and have an activity planned to help everyone feel comfortable. Monday through Friday of each week 8:30 to 9:00 Breakfast 9:30 to 3:30 Class with lunch in the noon hour 4:00 to 5:30 Outdoor activity. We will vary what we do, but we will make use of the swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, trails, the lake and playing fields 5:30 to 6:30 Dinner 6:30 to 9:00 Evening activities. This will vary each evening. Typical activities include extended studio time and time in the computer lab plus activities listed in the next section 9:00 Building curfew. Everyone needs to be inside, either in their own dorm building, movie viewing area, or in the lounge of the boys’ or girls’ dorm where we have a television, couches, and games 11:00 Floor curfew. Everyone needs to be on his or her own floor. The girls need to be in the girls’ dorm and the boys need to be in the boys’ dorm 12:00 Room curfew. Everyone needs to be in their own room. First day of class Everyone meets at the Orpheus Fountain in front of the Cranbrook Art Museum for a welcome from the program manager, a review of the rules and an introduction of the instructors. Afterward, your will join your instructor and begin class. Every other day of class Every other day after the first you will meet at the front of the Cranbrook Art Museum to check in with the program manager and wait for 9:30 to be released to your classroom. Do not go directly to your class without checking in. It is a good time to get to know students who are not boarding. Pizza Fridays Every Friday for lunch, all classes get together for pizza and games. This is a chance to socialize with students from other classes, relax a little, toss a Frisbee, and have a good time. Weekends We have you for two full weekends. Both days each weekend we will take you on a trip off campus and there will be plenty of time to enjoy yourselves.