Mission and Purpose

As Wake Forest’s student art gallery, stArt serves as an experiential learning space, exhibition venue, extension of the classroom/studio, and sales gallery, for art and art history students. stArt operates a dynamic exhibition schedule, presenting work by student-artists, student-curators, and WFU alum artists at its Reynolda Village gallery, stArt.dt, and intentional spaces throughout the extended WFU campus. stArt offers students varying levels and degrees of engagement, through class exhibitions, solo exhibitions, curatorial opportunities, internships, and advocacy activity. stArt programming creates immersive experiences for students while offering the community an avenue to encounter, engage, and acquire high-quality student art. stArt also facilitates public programming designed to deepen students’ engagement with their coursework where it corresponds with the arts. Engaging with a network of alumni working in the art worlds, stArt reveals possibilities for a life in the arts. As a venue, experiential space, campus and community resource, stArt is committed to inclusion and respect for all.

In providing students with the unique and invaluable opportunity to professionally show and sell their work, the stArt Gallery has developed the stArt Gallery Consignment Catalogue to offer a streamlined and rotating online collection of all student works currently on consignment and available for purchase through the gallery. For more information or to schedule a revisit to view and purchase artwork, visit consignment.startgallery.wfu.edu.

History

Founded in 2009, stArt Gallery serves as the only year-round venue for viewing, discussing, and purchasing student works of visual art in the Winston-Salem area. An initiative of Wake Forest University, stArt Gallery presents 12-15 exhibitions per year featuring Wake Forest University undergraduates and alumni. Most of the art work displayed in stArt Gallery is generated through studio course work and is therefore a product of close instruction by members of the studio art faculty at Wake Forest University. stArt Gallery is managed by a recent graduate serving in a one to two-year fellowship position and staffed by current undergraduate students.

Structure and Governance

stArt is part of the unified Wake Forest Galleries and Collections. The Director of Art Galleries and Programming serves as its director, and reports to the Associate Provost for the Arts. It is managed by a recent WFU graduate, chosen in a competitive process, for one or two years. It is served by an advisory committee composed of members of the Department of Art (art studio and art history), the Chair of the Department of Art, the Associate Provost for the Arts, the Director of Art Galleries & Programming, the stArt Manager, and a representative of Wake Downtown.

Advisory Committee Expectations

The Advisory Committee for stArt Gallery is expected to:

Approve and support the policies and mission of the gallery by being fully involved in all deliberations affecting programming, operation, and governance, as well as periodic interviews and hiring for the stArt manager position.

Prioritize attending stArt events and programming by having all exhibitions, opening receptions, alum and artist talks, meetings, and other activities pertaining to stArt on your calendar of commitments.

Approve and support budgets and funding and advocate for augmented support as needed.

Cultivate relationships and demonstrate your support for stArt and its programming among others in the Wake Forest Community by encouraging collaboration and engagement with the gallery and its student constituency.