The Crit Lab is inclusive. We cultivate safe brave spaces for all art and all artists.

The Lab intensifies focus, helps structure studio practice, and works with artists to build a language to articulate and contextualize the ideas in their work in their own voice. Through intensive, guided, engaged viewing and discussion, the artist is supported in pushing boundaries in the work.

The Crit Lab is a supportive forum for exploration and discussion of completed, new, vulnerable, in progress, experimental works and ideas in all media. The ongoing, intensive, inclusive, space of the meetings encourages work to flourish and grow in critical depth and perception, while building a strong community of committed artists. In the Labs we build trust, engage intensively with the work, gain a common language, and nurture bodies of ideas over time.

All groups are curated by Patricia Miranda for dynamic dialogue between the work.

The connection and community transcend the Lab.

The Crit Lab is Mobile, IRL, Virtual, Adaptable

From seven In-Person Labs in three Cities to mobile virtual Labs with artists from around the country. Labs are led by Patricia Miranda and organized in studios around the country with artists in their region, from Port Chester, NY; Boston, MA; and Pawtucket RI.

Now Virtual and Hybrid, In-Person when safe to gather.

New format for all Virtual Labs.

All Labs are currently virtual until we deem it safe to gather in studios in person again.

Virtual Labs meet twice a month in 2.5-3 hour meetings over five months. Artists receive five full critiques for the session, with a critique every other session. This lightens screen time, and allows artists to participate fully in crits of their fellow artists without being "on" for that meeting.

The virtual brings artist from around the country into the same room in transformational curated groups!

The Crit Lab Pedagogy is rigorously employed in all Labs.

The Crit Lab offers several ways to engage:

Visit the Apply page for application info.

Main Labs:

5 month sessions, with 10 concentrated 3-3.5 hour meetings with max seven artists. The same artists meet for all five sessions. Each artist has one 35-40 minute individual critique each month. All participate in the discussions using the Crit Lab guidelines.

Next Level Labs (NxtLvL) The main aspect of NxtLvl Lab is that everyone in the room has been engaged in a serious studio practice and discourses around their work for an extended time and depth, with familiarity around critique language and format. NxtLvl includes one private meeting for the session, for creating artist families, individualized reading lists, and professional development needs of each artist. NxtLvl Labs are structured the same as the Main Labs, and include optional studio plans, additional readings, discussion, and professional development.

Duet Lab

Intensive lab: Two artists and Patricia develop a plan on intention for ongoing meetings.

One-on-One

Private single or ongoing advising and critique sessions with Patricia Miranda and Crit Lab faculty. Click the link to visit our faculty page for more info.

AltMFA

A multi-day intensive, with small group critiques from Visiting artists, Artist Lectures, Critical Theory discussions, and studio/gallery visits. Our second Alt MFA was November 11-14, 2021 and was an inspiring success.

The Crit Lab Italy Residency

At the Venice Biennale and RUC residency in the Italian Alps. 2022 Residency includes Venice, Padua, Milan, and RUC in Cividate Commune, an exhibition and collaborative projects.

New Labs in the Works

MaxLab: 5 sessions total. 4 sessions with a different faculty member each session. 5th session is a group crit with all 4 faculty and the artists. Max 6-7 participants.

Critical Reading Lab: Stand alone or add-on to a current Lab. Discussion-only meetings centered around a series of readings. 90 min/month/5mo.

Stay tuned.

The Perks:
All Labs Include:

The Crit Lab website is a public space where current Crit Lab artists are featured in several ways:

1. A free Artist page

2. The Crit Lab Flat File, an optional shop to sell work. 10% of proceeds go to Earth Justice (free for all current Critters, $45/year for those not currently in a Lab)

3. Promotion on our instagram page of exhibitions and events

3. Permanent access to our private Facebook group; we share images from crits, articles, commentary, resources and more.

Note: In 2023 we will be moving off FB to an exciting new platform with many more wasy to engage- stay tuned!

The Crit Lab plans regular events at galleries and studios.

The Crit Lab newsletter sends occasional updates on the Crit Lab, MAPSpace, Patricia Miranda, and artists from the Labs. Sign up for our mailing list here.

The Crit Lab Travels

When safe to meet in groups, The Crit Lab IRL travels.

Form a Crit Lab in your community. With a space large enough to accommodate up to 8 people and wall to hang work- we can set up a group. Groups require seven people to run. Additional costs may incur for travel, lodging and space.

Private Consultation, Professional Biz Assistance.

Patricia Miranda and select Crit Lab faculty are available for consulting on professional practice. Visit the consulting page for info.

Contact us for more info.

The Crit Lab Fellowships