Art Interventions in Brazil | Education Abroad | Western Washington University

Art Interventions in Brazil is a combined Art History and Studio Art program focused on exploring modern and contemporary art in three major Brazilian cities: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte. Students will learn about printmaking tactics, work with local art studios, and visit the São Paulo Biennial and Inhotim art collection. Coursework will include readings, presentations, art historical research, and studio-based projects that reflect on visits to exhibitions, museums, and galleries, alongside other cultural activities such as music, dance, and cuisine.

Program Highlights

The program will engage with contemporary art both from within Brazil and throughout Latin America. Students will work with local artists in a print studio, create a temporary art installation, and visit local galleries in Brazil that focus on printed matter. They will gain firsthand experience with the influences on art from within the local context, alongside visiting pivotal institutions that have shaped Brazilian and Latin American art, as well as the larger global production of art.

Expectations of Participants

With or without reasonable accommodations, participants must be able to walk six (6) hours on average. Activities include walking to public transportation and walking/standing in galleries/museums/working in the studio for an extended period. São Paulo and Belo Horizonte are especially hilly, so be prepared with appropriate footwear. The weather can range from rainy/cool in the mornings to warmer/sunny in the afternoons (expect a range of 65-90 degrees).

Refrigeration is available in housing and program duration.

Students must work with the WWU Disability Access Center, Wilson Library 170, (360) 650-3083, drs@wwu.edu. For service eligibility, a complete diagnostic description from a qualified professional is required. Specific accommodations or services are determined on an individual basis and are modified to meet the unique needs of the student and their academic experience. Accommodation policies and procedures are highly individualized and centered on self-advocacy, realistic self-appraisal, and student growth. Each quarter, students need to activate their approved accommodations for each class. Students choose which of their approved accommodations they want to activate for each class.

We strongly recommend that all students traveling on this Global Learning Program are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to maximize the safety of the student cohort. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines remains the most important step to protect yourself and your community.

Participants are expected to abide by all attendance policies of the program, including those for classes and excursions, and to adhere to the program schedule. Since the programs are academic in nature, parents, friends, partners, and families are not permitted on any part of the Global Learning Program. Personal travel must be outside of the course dates and not conflict with coursework or excursion schedules. Travel plans should be vetted by faculty beforehand to ensure personal plans do not interfere with meeting the learning objectives of the course.