PROF, ASOC - Cristina Albu
Cristina Albualbuc@umkc.edu
This project maps out the history of A.R.C. (The Art Research Center), a not-for-profit art organization established in 1969 in Kansas City. Originally, it gathered artists pursuing inquiries into what and how we see based on permutations of colors and geometric shapes. Inspired by cybernetics and theories of visual cognition, A.R.C. members created artworks which encouraged viewers to reflect on their perception. They established connections with European artists affiliated with the New Tendencies movement who similarly aimed to engage the art public in new ways. While this European movement has received increasing scholarly attention thanks to the rise of interest in system aesthetics and viewer engagement, the activities of A.R.C. in Kansas City and their exchanges of ideas with artists in Europe have yet to be charted.
Meetings will usually take place in the Fine Arts Building and the Linda Hall Library. Occasionally, the Associate may need to accompany the research supervisor to local art museums and artist studios for gathering resources and conducting interviews.
This position would be particularly appealing for students in art, art history, communication studies, history, media, art and design, psychology. Communicative students enthusiastic about art, interdisciplinarity, and research would be great fit.
This project will ideally start in January 2026 and develop over the course of at least one semester.
10 hours per week, compensation is made available by the university (contingent on funding availability via the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Scholarship).
The Associate will gather, consult, and analyze primary and secondary sources about the activities of A.R.C. They will connect their findings with abstract artworks produced by A.R.C. members. Artists affiliated with the group still live and work in Kansas City. The Associate will conduct interviews with them and explore how their practices have transformed over time. They will learn about practice-based art research and intersections between art and psychology. Transferrable skills include: visual analysis skills, formulating research questions, collecting, analyzing, and presenting research data. The associate will be trained to use library data bases, conduct studio visits with artists, and use multimedia to present research outcomes in exciting ways (e.g. Powerpoint, webpages, social media).
Sep 23, 2025
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