From the Bay to LA: West Coast Art Now

Catalog description

During this course, students will learn about the cultural history of Los Angeles - from its roots in indigenous and Latino cultures to the arrival of the film industry in the early 20th century - as a way to better understand the presence of the entertainment and contemporary arts climate. Students will participate in a variety of art practice exercises spanning photography, sound, creative writing and movement that will prepare them to more intentionally engage of the ideas that are essential to the fabric of LA. Guided by Stanford Arts faculty, staff and L.A.-based alumni, students will experience the arts and entertainment industries of Los Angeles first-hand thinking critically along the way about what narratives are being told? How are these narratives being told? And by whom? From Disney Imagineers to the Getty, they will spend a week seeing performances, visiting museums and galleries, exploring nonprofit arts organizations, going behind-the-scenes at film studios, and meeting alumni in the arts. The final week of the course will be spent on campus collaborating on creative ways to reflect on the experiences.