Call for applicants to the Contemporary Art Purchasing Program

Apply for the 2016–2017

CAPP Committee!

Over the past decade, the Stamp Student Union—Center for Campus Life at the University of Maryland, College Park, has developed an innovative, student-led Contemporary Art Purchasing Program (CAPP) whose mission is to educate and inspire by exposing the campus community to thought-provoking art by noted contemporary artists. The program provides a student committee the opportunity to interact with the art world by researching, discussing, and purchasing by emerging and established contemporary artists. Students of diverse majors are selected to participate titive application process. Together they embark on a rigorous research and training program, including extensive visits to galleries and artists’ studios in Baltimore, New York, and Washington, DC. 

The Stamp Gallery is now accepting applicants for the 2016–2017 CAPP committee. To apply, carefully review program requirements, then submit the online application by April 8, 2016, 11:59 pm EST and send a sealed letter of recommendation from a professor or TA to:

Cecilia Wichmann 
Stamp Gallery
1200 Stamp Student Union
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742

To ensure confidentiality, please instruct your letter writer to sign the flap
of the envelope in which the recommendation is placed. 

Candidate interviews will take place in mid-April and participants will be selected April 29, 2016. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Do I need to be an Art History or Studio Art major/minor to apply? Do I need to demonstrate substantial previous experience of work or study in the arts? Students across all University of Maryland academic programs are encouraged to apply. CAPP's mission is to bring together students of diverse academic backgrounds and interests and empower them to work collectively as student leaders toward the common goal of shaping the University's contemporary art collection. 
• Do I need a lot of previous knowledge about art? Applications should demonstrate deep interest in and enthusiasm for the prospect of immersing themselves in the world of contemporary art and artists, but previous knowledge about art is not necessary. CAPP is designed to support students in developing critical knowledge of contemporary art through a required course in Markets and Collecting, mentorship by the CAPP adviser, and research activities as a committee. 
• How many students will be selected for the 2016–17 CAPP Committee?Approximately six (6) students are typically selected for the CAPP committee. 
• I'm a University of Maryland graduate student. Am I eligible to apply? Yes. One (1) graduate student is typically included on the CAPP committee. 

REQUIRED PROGRAM FOR STUDENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS FALL 2016 Enroll in ARTT489C: Advanced Special Topics in Art - Markets and Collecting (3 credits) [May satisfy-400 level and/or art theory elective requirement(s) for undergraduate Studio Art Majors and MFAs; may satisfy one of four required "Supporting Area" courses for Art History Majors with approval from Director of Undergraduate Studies; applicants in other disciplines should  inquire with their program director about the course's applicability as a distribution requirement in their field.]  Attend weekly meetings and conduct extensive independent research SPRING 2017 Enroll in a one-credit class to prepare for trips to DC, Baltimore, and New York City, where the committee visits galleries and artists' studios Participate in trips, gallery tours, and studio visits, including over spring break (March 19–26, 2017) Present acquisition recommendations to the CAPP Advisory Board, a panel made up of curators, collectors, and art historians Attend weekly meetings and conduct extensive independent research PRESS ABOUT CAPP "An Art Time Capsule: Stamp Displays a Decade of Student-Purchased Art," TERP, February 23, 2016 "Living with Art: The Contemporary Art Purchasing Program at College Park," BmoreArt, March 15, 2014 QUESTIONS? Contact Stamp Gallery Coordinator Cecilia Wichmann (cwich@umd.edu)