The transcripts in this volume are taken from the Graduate Seminar, which organized over 300 artist and critics talks. They reveal not only the influential pedagogy behind ArtCenter, but also paint a portrait of the student body - a group that includes numer ous influential contemporary artists. Discussions between students and faculty members range from what it means to be an artist and the changing role of art in society, to how artists function within an academic setting. Introduced in 1986 as an initiativ e by Richard Hertz (Chair, Academic Studies, 1979 - 2003), the ArtCenter College of Design Graduate Art Department celebrates its thirtieth anniversary in 2016. This book documents the first decade of the department's existence by presenting a selection from over three - hundred talks. This volume also includes reproductions of slides used by participants at the time. Bringing the presentations to life, these archival images offer a sense of the context and spirit of the original seminars. Together, an introduc tion by Stan Douglas - acclaimed contemporary artist and ArtCenter Graduate faculty member - and a foreword by Diana Thater and Jason E. Smith, Chair and co - chair of Graduate Art, present this volume as a crucial introduction to the pedagogy of contemporary ar t.