Each of these 6 lessons has 3 parts.
Participants should read the manifestos set in each part of the lesson before attempting to read the lesson or explore the videos and links provided to find out more.
Each lesson has a narrative explaining the theme of the lesson and the selection of manifestos. This aims to show the link between the general theme of the lesson, information about who wrote them, some pointers to the historical/social context in which they were written, and explore the key arguments in the lesson.
The manifestos are written by individual women and collectives of women. They were produced between 1969 and the present, and in many different countries in Europe as well as in the USA, Pakistan, The Philippines, Argentina, Russia and Australia. Most were written in English, some are translated to English from the original text in German/French/Polish/Spanish.
There are forums for discussion, questions and, at regular intervals and dependent on class size, online discussions with Katy Deepwell who wrote this course and compiled the ebook.
The aim of this course is that reading these manifestos is the means to discover some of the key trajectories in feminism in the art world and in contemporary art!
This is an advanced course. Participants are advised to undertake the basic course of 10 lessons first. Register for the course to access it.
Lesson 1
Polarities: I declare what I am for and against
What is feminist about an art manifesto?
What does a feminist art manifesto affirm or deny?
Manifestos by:
Yvonne Rainer, Mette Ingvatsen
Old Boy’s Network
Mierle Ladermann Ukeles
Lesson 2
Poetics: the manifesto as an artwork
Artists manifestos are often closely related to their artworks
Some appear in them, others are forms of writing experiments.
Manifestos by:
Ewa Partum, Agnes Denes
Lucia Tkacova and Anetta Mona Chisa, Dora Garcia
Lily Bea Moor, Rhani Lee Remedes,
Silvia Ziranek, (FNO/FFC) Factory of Found Clothes
Lesson 3
Feminism’s body politics, sex and gender
Because Biology is Not Destiny
The manifestos in this lesson consider different
feminist politics of the body and sexuality.
Manifestos by:-
Orlan, Annie Sprinkle and Elizabeth M. Stephens, VNS Matrix
Manifesto for the Gynecene
Xenofeminism Manifesto
Lesson 4
Feminist politics in art: Different feminist futures
Imagine a Feminist Future
There has never been a singular vision for a feminist future, especially for women artists and their creativity.
This lesson considers some different visions of the future.
Manifestos by:
VALIE EXPORT, Anne Berg and Monica Sjoo
Maria Klonaris and Katerina Thomadaki, Womanifesto, Julie Perini
Violetta Liagetchev, Arahmaini, Martine Syms
Lesson 5
Manifestos are Not Mission Statements
This lesson examines the role of manifestos in women’s art organisations and groups. The difference between a manifesto and a mission statement is considered.
Manifestos by:
Women’s Workshop (Artists Union)
Feminist Art Action Brigade
Eva and Co
Yes! Association/FÖRENINGEN JA!
Teresa Stejskalova
Lesson 6
Feminist Voices of Protest in the Art World
Manifestos and open letters abound in the art world as a form of protest. This lesson looks in detail at some examples of collective feminist protests.
Manifestos by:
Women Students and Artists for Black Art Liberation (WSABAL)
Women Artists of Pakistan
ARCO manifesto / We are Not Surprised
Declaration of Commitment to Feminist Practices in Art: Permanent Assembly of Women Art Workers
On Curating
