The Crit Lab
We Cultivate Brave Safe Spaces
Applications are now OPEN. Priority Registration is August 15.
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.
To learn more about structure and pedagogy, visit the about page.
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 virtually, at MAPSpace, and studios around the country with artists in their region. The connection and community transcend the Lab.
Virtual Labs.
The virtual brings artist from around the country into the same room in transformational curated groups! Virtual Labs meet over five months, twice a month in 3.5 hour meetings. Artists receive five full critiques for the session, with a critique every month, at every other session.
The Crit Lab Pedagogy is rigorously employed in all Labs. All Cohorts are curated for maximum engagement and connection. The Crit Lab offers several ways to engage:
MaxLab Faculty Fall 2024: Patricia Miranda, (Sept), Gaby Collins-Fernandez (Oct), Brian Bishop (Nov), Lucinda Bliss (Dec)Fall LABS 2024
Wednesday AM, 9am -12:30pm
MaxLab: New this year!
SEPT 4+11, OCT 9+16, NOV 6+13, DEC 4+11, JAN 8+15
Max 7 artists. Meets twice a month for 5 months. Each artist receives one 35-40 minute Crit with each faculty member dedicated solely to their work. January final meetings include group crit with all 4 faculty.
MaxLab is limited and requires prior or comparable experience in a NxtLvl Lab. Cohort will be curated for maximum engagement and connection.
Main Lab:
Max 7 artists. 5 month session, including 10 concentrated 3.5 hour meetings with the same cohort 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.
NxtLvl Lab
Structured the same as the Main Labs, the NxtLvl Lab includes artists who have been engaged in serious studio practice and discourse around their work for an extended time, with a depth of familiarity around critique language and format. NxtLvl Labs offer optional studio plans, additional readings, discussion, and professional development.Project Lab
As in all Labs, The Project Lab includes focused critique using The Critical Lab pedagogy. This Lab focuses additionally on writing- including active development and editing of statements and proposals, and curating of images for submissions. Each artist has a 1-1.5 hour session each month focused solely on on their work. This Lab requires prior or comparable experience in a NxtLvl Lab.
Duet Lab
Max 2 artists. Intensive Lab: Together with Patricia, two artists develop an individualized plan for the session, with goals and intentions for ongoing meetings.
One-on-One Lab
Private single or ongoing advising and critique sessions with Patricia Miranda and Crit Lab faculty. Visit our faculty page for more info.
Hybrid Lab
All Labs this fall offer a hybrid option. This would replace one or two rounds of meetings with in-person Labs at MAPSpace or studio of a cohort.
In-Person Lab
This fall we will offer one fully In-Person Lab at MAPSpace. This option requires artists to be in close enough proximity to attend in Port Chester, NY or to travel once a month.
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
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.
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 within your cohort page.
2. Permanent access to our private Mighty Network; where we share information from crits, exhibitions, articles, commentary, resources and more.
3. Access to The Crit Lab Flat File, a virtual shop. 10% of proceeds go to Earth Justice (the Flat File is free for all current Critters, $45/year for those not currently in a Lab)
4. Regular Promotion on our instagram page of exhibitions and events throughout the session
The Crit Lab plans regular events and exhibitions at galleries and studios.
The Crit Lab 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.