Professional Art Aspiration and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Saga

Abstract

The discourse on Professional Art Aspiration and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Saga though robust has hardly considered alternatives in attempts to locate a meeting point for the professional. The point to ponder is that research which creates new knowledge is not the same in all disciplines in the University system. The creative arts fall into disciplines where sole focus on research is distant. Its products rather help in the creation of new knowledge based disciplines, where sole focus on research based disciplines, therefore this paper set out to look at the contending issues that under gird the directive of the National Universities Commission (N.U.C) as regards mandatory attainment of the Doctor of Philosophy Degrees, and re-echoes Sir. Joshua Raynolds often quoted resentment to such demands that “art dies in the arid excesses of reasoning”. Hence the National Universities Commission (N.U.C’s) position requires reconsideration. I dwelled on the implementation of the idea of the new university and its imperative that tertiary education teachers earn a Ph.D to be relevant in such institutions. The idea of pursuing a Ph.D is not bad in its self. What my worry has been and remains is the way it is being pursued in Nigeria. What is happening in the universities currently appear untidy. And I think that if we are to make progress academically, a new orientation is needed in pursuing the Ph.D degree. What is then needed is studio doctoral that discuss relevant theories that help art practice. Even degrees in Art History and Art Education can be distractions. This is because they presuppose that one is an art historian, when in fact the candidate who earned the degree lacks requisite founding in the discipline. I look forward to a proper studio Ph.D whose ramifications in its development and maturity is guided and not to leave universities to structure what they want in the name of Ph.D