About us
FATE IS AN EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF EXCELLENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND TEACHING OF COLLEGE-LEVEL FOUNDATION COURSES IN BOTH STUDIO AND ART HISTORY.
FATE is a highly active association. If you have a keen interest in networking with others who are involved with the instruction of foundational art courses, FATE may be the organization for you. For over three decades FATE, a volunteer run organization, has been collectively sharpening the methodologies and theories of instruction during the first years of college.
FATE's reach extends throughout art and design programs in independent colleges, university departments, community colleges, and crossover, undergraduate-level high school opportunities throughout the United States & Canada and is represented at most major higher education conferences to promote the goals of the organization. For over 30 years, FATE has grown through its promotion of excellence and innovation in arts foundations.
Biennially, FATE hosts an expansive but immersive gathering of artists, designers, historians and educators who share in the goal of making the foundational experience in art a solid springboard for a successful academic and professional life. Additionally, FATE expands their mission of support to the creative arts educational community by hosting a variety of regional events across the United States, sharing discussion between educators through FATE's Positive Space Podcast and publishing the journal FATE in Review.
Foundations courses are an integral part of the undergraduate experience, and should emphasize the importance of developing concepts, craft and critical thinking skills.
Therefore, an Ad Hoc committee of FATE Members created a document for the purpose of setting guidelines for foundations that have received general consensus by members of the organization at the 11th Biennial Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2007. FATE is not an accrediting body, these issues are intended to be used as guidelines to help foundation faculty and administration as they strengthen, reorganize, seek administrative support, or as a guide for the development of fledgling foundation programs. They are, in essence, an opinion that has emerged from of our collective knowledge of foundations.
Current FATE Committees
Join the FATE DEIA Committee
Due: December 15, 2023
FATE is seeking new members for its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee, and is seeking volunteers to serve on the committee. The DEIA committee is composed of FATE members and people who serve on the FATE board that productively work to include diverse voices and establish ourselves as a welcoming community for historically disadvantaged groups within academia. New DEIA Committee members will join existing members to work on the evolution of FATE DEIA priorities, edit the DEIA Committee Mission Statement, and create new initiatives based on the interests of committee members. For more detailed information, visit the DEIA Committee Mission Statement on the FATE website.
We are particularly interested in having race, disability status, and gender representation on the committee. We are seeking members from a variety of types of post-secondary institutions (such as community colleges, private art schools, and small liberal arts colleges), rank, and fields. Applicants with pedagogy or research practices that intersect with art foundations studies are encouraged to apply. FATE membership is not required.
Service to the DEIA Committee will begin Spring 2024 and continue through the 2025 conference. While we are interested in having a robust committee, we will be making selections from the pool of interested members in order to have a workable number of members. Should you be interested in serving, please send a short statement of what perspectives you will bring to the conversation. Topics you could address in your statement include but are not limited to: how diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility intersect with your teaching and research; your experience with DEIA initiatives; your history with FATE; and your experience with service work. FATE values contributions from its members, and we will offer free membership to those selected to serve. Please submit your statement to the DEIA Committee member open call form, by December 15, 2023
DEIA Committee members: Kevin Kao (DEIA Representative), Adam Farcus (VP of Communication), Katie Hargrave (FATE member), Sherry Muyuan He (FATE member), Colleen Toutant Merrill (FATE member), & Binod Shrestha (VP of Development)
We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
The DEIA Committee