Department of Art | University of Oregon

PROGRAM INFORMATION MEETING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13th, 7 PM ROOM 100 LA

Program Goals
This four week, eight credit studio course provides students with a unique opportunity to study and create art within the context of the beautiful medieval city of Siena. The focus of the class is Siena itself, as the intersection of cultural history, medieval architecture, public events, tourism, and our shared contemporary experience. The course is open to all majors. Students will be able to use a range of media, including photography, video, drawing, painting, and installation to respond to the site of Siena. An intermedia and collaborative approach will be encouraged.

Location
Siena, one of the most preserved and adored medieval cities in Italy, is located four hours from Rome and five hours from Venice by train. Florence, a Renaissance city, is an hour and fifteen minutes by bus from Siena. All of these cities are full of art, culture and design.

Program Site
The primary site of the program is Siena.

Academic Program
Artwork produced is not limited to any medium or combination of mediums. Collaborative, photo, screen, and installation-based projects will be encouraged but not mandatory. The four-week intensive will end with an art exhibition in Siena. Lastly, students will be expected to keep a blog or vlog that records, archives, and/or documents their daily experience of visual culture from a critical perspective. The AHA office provides wireless access and 5 resident computers. You may bring along personal computers, cameras, and video cameras. Most adapters for digital equipment today accommodate 110 to 250 volts, but you will need an interface converter for the plug.

Resident Director
Colin Ives will be the resident director for the program in 2008. In addition to offering an on site studio art class, the director also assists the students with housing, registration, and general administration for the program.

Language Instructor
A staff member from the University for Foreigners in Siena will serve as an on-site Italian class instructor.

Orientation
Students accepted into the program are required to attend planning meetings during spring term to ensure that they are familiar with information handouts and responsibilities of the program. Any student interested in this program is required to take a two-credit Italian language class at the University of Oregon during the spring term prior to the program. Consent from the resident director is needed to have a waiver of the Italian language class in the spring.

Academic Calendar
Instruction in Siena/Florence begins on August 1st and concludes on August 31st. Students are required to arrive in Siena on August 1st. The on-site orientation will take place on August 2nd.

Living Arrangements and Meals
All student apartments, situated in the vicinity of Siena, have kitchen facilities, and students will find it is most economical to cook their own meals. Students will stay in double occupancy rooms. A supplementary fee will be charged for single occupancy. The housing cost will include utilities (gas, water, electricity). Students are responsible for any damages. A refundable deposit of 100 Euros will be collected on site. There is usually one cellular phone available per apartment.
AHA International makes all housing arrangements.

Eligibility
The program is open to anyone wishing to begin or continue the study of visual art within a fine art context. Participants must be over 18 years of age. University of Oregon students must have a 3.0 GPA or better and a sophomore standing. Professor Ives will interview and evaluate all applicants. Participants must have a basic background in any media within the visual arts and a familiarity with contemporary art practice, or the instructor's consent.

Application Process
1. Students are required to have an interview with the resident director prior to acceptance. Applications must be received by February 28, 2008, and a sign-up sheet for the interview will be available at the UO Department of Art office.
2. Interviews will be conducted during the first week of March and accepted applicants must notify the Art Office that they plan to enroll and must submit the non-refundable $150 application fee to confirm their intent to participate.
3. A non-refundable $300 program deposit is required by April 1. The application fee and program deposit will be applied to the cost of the program.
4. Late admission is possible if space is available. Contact Bonnie Lawrence at Department of Art office.
5. The Department of Art reserves the right to cancel the program based on low enrollment. In case of program cancellation, fees/deposits will be refunded in full.
6. Application forms are available at:
Department of Art - 198 Lawrence
5232 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-5232
Email: blawrenc@uregon.edu

Cost & Financial Arrangements
Program fees including tuition, housing, and fees for 8 credits is calculated at approximately $ 3000.00
The University of Oregon reserves the right to adjust tuition and fees in the event of price increases and changes in the estimated enrollment. Total costs are an estimate at this time and may vary slightly depending on program and exchange rates.
Transportation and personal expenses are not included in this program fee.

Students should count on spending at least the following amounts during the summer program:
UO program fee (estimated- includes tuition, housing and insurance fee to AHA) $ 3000
Airfare $ 1300
Meals $ 700
Personal expenses (local and vacation travel, social events, laundry, postage, telephone, etc) $ 500
Estimated Total Overall $ 5500

Budgeting and money matters are discussed during the summer orientation. Please keep in mind that figures for personal expenses and meals are estimates only.

Payment of Program Fee
Application fee (due March 9) $ 150
Deposit (due April 1) $ 300
*Balance $ 2550
Total Fees $ 3000

*billed to student account

Refund Policy
Students who withdraw prior to May 18, 2008 receive a refund less the $150 application fee and the $300 program deposit. Students who withdraw after May 18, 2007 forfeit all non-recoverable payments already made or committed on his/her behalf.

Students who are accepted to the program after May 18 must pay the program fee in full at the time of acceptance. All refund requests must be made in writing and must include the reasons for withdrawing.

Financial Aid
Most forms of financial aid for which students are eligible at the University of Oregon may be applied to the costs of this program. Students should consult with Paul Carlile or a special counselor with international programs in the Office of Student Financial Aid, 260 Oregon Hall, for further details.