As a student at a four-year university, I have acquired great debt. I was not blessed with ample financial support from my guardians and so was forced to borrow many loans to cover the cost of tuition. By pursuing a BFA in Studio Art, I have also experienced increased debt by buying extra art supplies so that I could create work outside of school and develop my career as an artist. My total accrued debt today is $74,000.
Currently my artistic practice is supported by financial aid through the University of Texas at Austin. When I graduate in May 2016, I will no longer be receiving financial aid and will begin to pay off my tuition loans and other debt. I hope to support my artistic practice by obtaining an arts administrative position at a museum or non-profit while applying for fellowships and other grants. I hope to gain grant writing and fundraising experience in this position so that I may enhance my professional skills and likelihood of obtaining grant/fellowship/residency awards.
Due to necessity, I have relied heavily on cheap and found materials to create my artworks. My photographic practice includes building installations from paper and other things. I often attempt to treat my materials as indispensible assets that I use again and again to reduce costs of purchasing more materials and venturing to and from the places where I can acquire them. I wish to learn the practice of paper-making so that I can make customized materials and cut the cost of valuable handcrafted goods.
