Fellowship Syllabus

ACSM | C3-Lab Public Art Fellowship Syllabus 

18-Month Fellowship | 6 Quarters | Artist Duo Cohort  

This is an immersive, studio-based program designed for artist duos ready to expand their practice into large-scale, permanent public artwork. Over six quarters, fellows move from concept to installation: learning how to design, fabricate, document, and deliver professional public art projects within real-world constraints. The fellowship culminates in one permanent, site-specific public artwork installed at a partner or sponsor location. Fellows leave the program with hands-on fabrication experience, professional documentation, a permanent public artwork, and the tools needed to pursue future commissions. 

Fellowship-Wide Learning Threads Across 18 Months (6 Quarters) 

Studio-based instruction & shop training 

Digital Design → Fabrication (Autodesk Fusion) 

Public Art Fabrication & Assembly 

Art Business & Professional Practice 

Community Development & Engagement 

Archiving, Documentation & Legacy-Building 

Mentorship & Visiting Speakers 

Quarter 1:  Foundations 

Orientation to ACSM’s shop ecosystem, tools, materials, and workflows. Fellows build technical fluency while learning public art fundamentals, documentation systems, and professional communication. 

Deliverables: Concept sketches + personal archival setup 

Quarter 2: Translation: From 2D to 3D 

Artists learn to transform ideas into buildable forms through parametric design, prototyping, welding, CNC, and finishing. Business basics and regulatory awareness are introduced. 

Deliverables: Fabricated prototype + materials list + documented process 

 Quarter 3:  Applied Practice 

Fellows work alongside ACSM on existing projects, incorporating site analysis, community context, critique, budgeting, and presentation skills. 

Deliverables: Client-style presentation + draft fabrication drawings + case study 

Quarter 4: Professionalization 

Focus shifts to opportunity readiness: researching calls, writing proposals, preparing budgets, refining portfolios, and advancing Fusion skills for engineering review. 

Deliverables: Submission-ready application package + updated portfolio + archive 

Quarter 5: Real-World Public Art Development 

Artists oversee the fabrication of their permanent public artwork. Fellows move into fabrication while engaging stakeholders and documenting the process. 

Deliverables: Final design package + fabrication underway + community engagement documentation 

Quarter 6 — Installation & Legacy 

The fellowship concludes with installation, professional documentation, final case study development, and legacy planning for future opportunities. 

Final Deliverables: 

Installed permanent public artwork 

Complete archival documentation package 

Portfolio-ready case study 

Fellowship reflection report