Dissertation

About

A historical-philological examination of the Free State Arts Studios (Svomas), an initiative for arts and design education in the former Russian Empire during the years immediately after the revolutions of 1917. The revolutionary government closed long standing schools, temporarily, then reopened them with Svomas— a program with free tuition, open admissions, and a philosophy of freedom. Svomas only lasted for two years but was a vast effort, with one branch in Petrograd, two in Moscow, one in Vitebsk, and elsewhere in regional cities.

BY DAVID R. RICHARDSON, PhD

The book

The dissertation was successfully defended in April 2022, winning the author an award for Outstanding Research at the May graduation ceremony. The book is on the way. Three short run editions were printed with perfect bindings. These are for the record and for editing. Looking for a publishing deal eventually. More writing projects before and after, and even more are underway. Contact directly with publishing inquiries.