#ibva

The first wave of Millennials is rising up the ranks at work and shaping key business decisions. And I belong to this generation.

It’s important to understand the impact we’re having on today’s changing workplace.

In a multigenerational, global study of employees from organizations large and small IBM Institute for Business Value compared the preferences and behavioral patterns of Millennials with those of Gen X and Baby Boomers.

We discovered that Millennials want many of the same things their older colleagues do. While there are some distinctions among the generations, Millennials’ attitudes are not poles apart from other employees’.

Deatils can be found here:

http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/gbs/thoughtleadership/millennialworkplace/

Source: http://www.bluelavaart.com/images/isf/ib/ibartiststatement.html

Your artist’s statement can be a moving testament to your creativity and integrity as an artist.

This writing assignment will prepare you for writing your artist’s statement for your IB Exam submission).

STEP ONE:

1. Take five minutes and think about why you do what you do.

2. Make a list of words and phrases that communicate your feelings about your work and your values. Include words you like, words that make you feel good, words that communicate your values or fascinations. Be loose. Be happy. Be real.

3. Answer these questions as simply as you can. Let them be raw and uncut for now.

What is your favorite tool? Why? What is your favorite material? Why? What do you like best about what you do? What do you mean when you say that a piece has turned out really well? What patterns emerge in your work? Is there a pattern in the way you select materials? In the way you use color, texture or light? What do you do differently from the way you were taught? Why? What is your favorite color? List three qualities of the color. Consider that these qualities apply to your work. 4. Look at your word list. Add new words suggested by your answers to the questions above.

5. Choose two key words from your word list. They can be related or entirely different. Look them up in a dictionary. Read all the definitions listed for your words. Copy the definitions, thinking about what notions they have in common. Look your words up in a Thesaurus. Read the entries related to your words. Are there any new words that should be added to your word list?

6. Write five sentences that tell the truth about your connection to your work. If you are stuck, start by filling in the blanks below.

When I work with__________ I am reminded that___________.

I begin a piece by______________.

I know a piece is done when__________________.

When my work is going well, I am filled with a sense of _____________.

When people see my work, I’d like them to ________________.

STEP TWO:

Write a three paragraph artist’s statement. Keep your sentences authentic and direct. Use the present tense (“I am,” not “I was,” “I do,” not “I did.”) Be brave: say nice things about yourself. If you find that you falter, write three paragraphs about an artist whose work you admire. Then write about yourself as though you were an admiring colleague. As a rule, your artist’s statement should be written in the first person. Refer to yourself with the pronouns “I, me, my.” If this blocks you, write in the third person, then go back and change the pronouns as needed when you get to Step Four. Use the suggestions below to structure your statement. Write three to five sentences per paragraph.

First paragraph. Begin with a simple statement of why you do the work you do. Support that statement, telling the reader more about your goals and aspirations.

Second paragraph. Tell the reader how you make decisions in the course of your work. How and why do you select materials, techniques, themes? Keep it simple and tell the truth.

Third paragraph. Tell the reader a little more about your current work. How it grew out of prior work or life experiences. What are you exploring, attempting, challenging by doing this work.

STEP THREE:

Read your statement out loud. Listen to the way the sounds and rhythms seem to invite pauses.

Keep reading and revising your statement until you hear a musical, simple, authentic voice that is making clear and honest statements about your work. Refer to your word list and other Step One exercises as needed.

STEP FOUR

Save all the notes and drafts that you’ve made. You’ll want to revise and update your artist’s statement from time to time to reflect changes in your work.