Thursday, December 3, 2009

Constitution of The Artists' Guild at UVU

The Artists’ Guild at UVU Constitution

Article I. Name

The Name of this organization shall be "The Artists’ Guild at UVU.”

Article II. Purpose/Mission Statement

Our purpose as The Artists’ Guild at UVU is to enhance our academic experience as art students at UVU and to provide community outreach opportunities. We strive to obtain these goals in four different ways: by providing a UVU art community presence, building our skills, networking, and becoming more visible through our activities.

Provide An Art Community Presence – The Artists’ Guild at UVU desires to expand their presence in the university, the community, the state, and beyond. We will exhibit our art work publicly and develop relationships with and provide service to schools and businesses.

Build Skills – We strive as artists to improve our technical skills in all areas of design and craft taking into consideration art theory and content. We desire to explore and provide information concerning scholarships, grants, donors, jobs, internships, and apprenticeship opportunities to art students at UVU.

Become Visible - We will present and/or provide any art competitions, juried shows, and venues to show our work.

Network - We wish for visual art students of all disciplines to interact with each other and network. Through this networking and synergy we can motivate each other, exchange ideas, become aware of other art practices, and create an art consciousness and art-producing environment for the entire community. We also strive to meet together in various settings for different purposes, including having art parties (“arties”).

Article III. Membership

All art students and alumni are strongly encouraged to become members. Membership is open to any student at Utah Valley University and alumni. A $5 fee is required for membership each semester. Voting privileges are extended only to members. Guest faculty and others in the community may participate by invitation.

Article IV. Organization

1. The responsibilities and duties of Club Officers. The President’s job is to aid and direct the affairs of the Artists’ Guild at meetings and as a whole. The Vice President’s job is a supportive role and will be in charge in the absence of the president. The club Secretary is responsible for taking minutes at all club meetings and providing access of the minutes to club members. A Representative will attend the bi-monthly UVU club meetings.

2. Regularity of meetings – regular meetings will be held monthly on a specified day and time of the week to be determined each semester by the end of the previous semester.

3. Role of the Advisor – to advise the students, and to be the treasurer.

4. Method for obtaining and spending funds is to be done through the UVU monthly club meetings.

Article V. Elections

Elections are held the second week of fall semester. If for any reason there needs to be another election during the academic year, it is the role of the President to call such elections; at least one week’s notice will be given prior to such an election. In no circumstances shall a term of office exceed one calendar year.

Article VI. Qualification for Office

One must be a full-time UVU student and club member to be an official officer of the club.

Article VII. Removal from Office

For removal of an officer, the number of votes in the recall vote must be at least a 3/4-quorum vote.

Article VIII. Bylaws

At least a quorum of seven Artists’ Guild members must be present to vote on things pertaining to the organization’s business. Unless otherwise stated within this constitution, there must be at least a 2/3-quorum vote for the club to recognize any Constitution changes.

Article IX. Amendments

Amendments may be added to this constitution by way of a 2/3-quorum vote.

Article X. Ratification

This constitution shall become effective upon ratification upon a quorum vote of the group.

(current as of Dec 2, 2009)

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

The birth of The Artists' Guild at UVU


(As a disclaimer, I'd just like to apologize ahead of time to anyone who thinks this blog is going to be a professional presentation. Please pardon me for being less than formally technical here. I'm an artist. I don't mean that as a cop out, but just so you know, formal and dignified is not who I am.)

All right, here's a bit of background as to where this club came from. Patric Bates and some of his art friends and fellow students have been exhibiting in an art show called "Truth, Youth, and Ecstasy", but on this, its second year, things went awry. Our show was advertised as being on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 7pm on the 5th floor of the UVU library and it was a benefit art show for a recent graduate of UVU who had leukemia. Because of a slew of last-minute emergencies with the venue, the name and the time of the show had to be changed, so it was a lot more stressful and not as successful as it would have been. We artists and our friends were determined that no artist at UVU should have to go through the same ridiculous difficulties to exhibit their work publicly. We felt there should be a stronger voice for art at UVU and an organized and easier way for local artists to support each other and the community. Amid recent events like the overturn of Gallery 401 this was the perfect time to start a club for artists to network and find places and ways to really stand up, stand out, and reach toward our full potential.

On the following Friday, October 16, eleven artists met in my home for the first Artists' Guild meeting. We nominated and voted in Carelene Johnson as President of the guild, Patric Bates as Vice President, me (Summer Carr) as Secretary, and Kyle Wiggins volunteered to spearhead Publicity. Since that first meeting, we've had four other meetings and several fundraising events, including an amazing benefit concert.

Our mission statement, as listed in our Constitution (which will be the text of my next blog), says:

"Our purpose as The Artists' Guild at UVU is to enhance our academic experience as art students at UVU and to provide community outreach opportunities. we strive to obtain these goals in four different ways: by providing a UVU art community presence, building our skills, networking, and becoming more visible through our activities."

We plan on having at least one highly publicized art show a semester, plenty of truly valuable workshops, worthwhile social activities, frequent and highly effective fundraisers, exciting service opportunities and in the future (if you're interested), a chance to travel to art exhibits. Overall, we want to give you the knowledge and experience to promote yourself and become a successful artist. We have the resources, connections and support we need to make all these things happen--they're happening already! Please join us in The Artists' Guild at UVU. Club dues for the guild are $5 per semester. You can pay at Campus Connection in the student center, or just attend any Artists' Guild meeting or function and pay your dues there.

For more information or questions about The Artists' Guild at UVU, contact:

Carelene Johnson, President
(801)380-4984
carelenej@gmail.com

Anna Fulton, Recruiting and Communications
(801)520-6910
annafulton2@yahoo.com

or me
Summer E. Carr, Secretary
(801)318-6096
s.ezoe.c@gmail.com