Civic Studio is a course at Grand Valley State University and was created to focus on the research and develop-ment necessary for art to serve its public function. The studio is local, relational, and emergent. The studio is not a fixed place but is a situational framework of inquiry. Each project takes place in a specific situation, which is organized as a work space that is publicly accessible. We research the history and context of the site and engage socially and experientially. Work is done individually and collaboratively and involves a precarious mix of or-ganizational, social, scholastic, and artistic functions. Areas of focus emerge from context, process, and dialog. Studio products are publicly presented.

Here is a statement about Statement by Civic Studio: UNDER THE DOME by Abbie White, student:

The dome is an excellent place to investigate land practices due to the location being so crucial to the makeup of the history in the Allendale/ Walker area. After learning about the railways that spanned through these very woods, we can gather why there are treeless tranches that span through the area as well as all new, smaller sap-lings that have sprung from the high levels of logging that took place along the rivers edge many years ago. Deep ecology can also come into play in the dome considering that we have placed ourselves directly in the center of such a nature based environment that we can immerse ourselves within. We are able to entangle ourselves with nature immediately when entering the dome. We are able to directly tie ourselves to the other beings found both inside and beyond the dome and become connected to them through proper initiation and respectful contact.

In terms of generosity, we constructed our dome in order to provide for our class, but it is also in place to offer a safe haven for those who may get caught in a storm or want a resting place on a long walk. It is not just a place for us, but a place for runners, dog walkers, park visitors, natural resource students doing digs, and so many oth-ers that may encounter the dome on a regular basis. This offers a really great perspective of generosity. We offer shelter and information to others after learning and providing for ourselves.