The artist as academic : arts practice as research/as a site of knowledge

With the move towards inclusion of the arts as part of the larger university system, has come the problem where creative research output struggles for recognition as 'legitimate' research. As arts faculties vie for limited funding within an increasingly competitive environment, artists working as academics have to rethink the complex relationships and interactions between their academic and creative identities. While methodological theory looks to creative practices as sources of knowledge, funding authorities and, as a consequence, universities, struggle to align research and art. Artists working as academics feel the weight of this conflict as they struggle to gain recognition for their creative research. This article discusses the views of eight arts practitioners working in academia as to whether or not they view their arts practice as research/a site of knowledge; and if they do view it as research, how is it so. Each participant expressed different views on this issue, with, in some cases, length of time in academia and therefore contact with research requirements, playing a part. The findings have implications for arts practitioners new to academia and for undergraduate curricula, suggesting that reflective practice can, and should, be encouraged, thereby developing a positive perception of practice as research. The study raises several questions for further enquiry.