‘Living in New York though … yikes. It’s such an expensive place to be studying. They say D.C. is very expensive but the truth is it’s pretty comparable to living in Australia. New York, as much as I love it, is worse than Sydney’. (Neil: 2010, via email)
And it was thus that Neil, a man who is a friend of a friend*, of a friend** I have never actually met, pronounced his declaration on my idea of studying in New York; Yikes. It’s a statement all rolled up in one little word. Our in-between friend had contacted him on my behalf to get the goss on studying in America, something I have been aching to do since I visited in 2008. And in that one little word he summed up my hesitation. Money, honey – let me tell you it ain’t cheap. But the quandary is thus; I have found the perfect place to do my Master’s degree. The Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University.
Doing my degree there allows me to self direct my own Master’s course structure by picking from the subjects available at the other NYU schools in combination with self-directed research, and internships. As I want to rewrite the models of participatory photography projects so they are more sustainable and beneficial to the parties involved its the perfect course for me because it means I can run a project in New York as part of my degree. Fitting huh!
Participatory photography? Well if you go and check out my last post it’s what I am doing at St Kilda Gatehouse for the next six months. My idea is to eventually build a foundation that allows early career photographers to apply for grants in conjunction with not-for-profit groups that support marginalised groups (think groups that run programs for homeless people, or disadvantaged communities, or in the case of Gatehouse, support street sex workers).
They would be applying to run the project curriculum I develop and refine in the next couple of years. A project curriculum that firstly aims to teach visual communication skills to people who don’t necessarily have highly developed verbal or written communication skills – enabling them another language in which to tell their own story. That secondly aims to employ an early career photographer in a role that builds both their career and their skill base (while providing them with support). Thirdly to use the material (photographs, interviews etc) generated by both the photographer and the participants to curate into an exhibition and limited edition book to raise awareness of the work of the not-for-profit group (with sale proceeds going straight back into their organisation). And lastly do all of the above without costing the photographer or the not-for-profit group any money at all. Nothing. Just time and enthusiasm. I’ll do all the hard yards raising the funds for the first few – putting in my own time and skills and hoping to make enough of a profit to kick it into being a viable goal.
It’s a pretty big mission but I think I can do it. But, yikes, the cost is enough to make all the blood drain from my Dad’s face. Trust me I saw it happen when I told him how much it would cost just for tuition. So I’m applying for about a million scholarships and grants to make up the dollars but I’m also launching a print sale page on my website (see, look up in the top right hand corner and there is a new page you can click on). I’m selling my photo’s to raise money to study – mostly because I believe its a pretty awesome idea I’ve been struck with and I can’t think of any other way to make it happen.
I’ve spent the last two weeks loading photos that I think people might like but, for the record, I will print ANY photo of mine you want. If you want me to print any of my images black and white, I’ll do it; If you want a nice big print of your favourite wedding photo, or something you find on my Woodford page, or in my News Singles, or even this blog feel free (I’ve provided you with a dummy product to order EXACTLY what you want). That’s any photo from anywhere, at any time (past, present and future).
I know lots of you can’t afford it, but you might know someone who can. So if you feel compelled to support me by emailing this link to friends, family or colleagues who might need a nice original Gemma-Rose Turnbull on their walls by all means feel free to share the link to the print sale page indiscriminately.
* Said friend of friend is not only known for her willingness to help me in my NY mission but also for her creation Dear Korea, which is very amusing.
** Friend is equally hilarious and helpful, and can be found at My Brilliant Korea.