Call for Papers

"Myth, Memories, and the Midwest: Grant Wood and Beyond"
5th Biennial Symposium of the Grant Wood Art Colony at the University of Iowa

Art Building West, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242

Symposium Date: October 28-29, 2016

The Grant Wood Art Colony of the University of Iowa seeks proposals for 30 minute papers that address the topic of "Myth, Memories, and the Midwest: Grant Wood and Beyond." This day-long symposium (plus a keynote address the evening before and gathering at Wood’s historic home in Iowa City) will celebrate the 125th anniversary of Grant Wood’s birth by considering a wide array of issues he regarded as important. Papers may address Wood’s art and Regionalist imagery more generally, but may also range more widely to other artists (including recent ones who deal with regional content), aspects of Midwestern history and culture, mythmaking and American life, issues of memory and region, etc. Other topics might include considering the ways in which art, material culture, theater, the New Deal, labor, and other important cultural aspects of Wood’s era influenced American identity, then and now.

Proposals of no more than 300 words should be submitted with a cover letter and 2 page C.V. by March 1, 2016. We welcome proposals from emerging and established scholars from a wide range of fields, including, but not limited to Art History, American Studies, Literature, History, Political Science, Agronomy, and others.

To submit a proposal, send a two-page abstract, one-page bibliography and a C.V. to:
Maura Pilcher Director, Grant Wood Art Colony 1131 East Burlington Street Iowa City, IA 52240

grantwooduiowa.edu