Art (MFA)

Program Overview

The MFA Art program fosters contemporary art production through theoretical and practical scholarship. Students engage in material, critical, and conceptual investigations, working with active artists and scholars in an open studio context. The program supports Indigenous knowledge and cultural perspectives, and offers unique exhibition and dialogue opportunities within a vibrant cultural community.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• The MFA Art program provides graduate students with the opportunity to pursue contemporary art production through theoretical and practical scholarship.
• The program encompasses material, critical, and conceptual investigations, and students work with an open studio context with faculty who are active artists and scholars.
• Indigenous knowledge and cultural perspectives are supported, while an extensive Visiting Speakers in the Art Program enriches the MFA experience by creating weekly opportunities for discussion with a spectrum of practicing artists, architects, curators, critics, and historians.
• The program offers students unique opportunities for exhibition and dialogue within a vibrant cultural community.

Outline:

Program of Study:

During the first year of the M.F.A. program, students complete coursework. In the second year of the program, M.F.A. students focus on the research and production of the Thesis. The Thesis will be defended in the Final Oral Examination.

Required Courses:

• Art 5148 - Graduate Studio I (6.0 credit hours)
• Art 5149 - Graduate Studio II (6.0 credit hours)
• Art 5160 - Theory in Art Studio (3.0 credit hours)
• Fine Arts 5020 - Information Literacy for the Fine Arts (3.0 credit hours)
• Two electives at the 5000 level, at least one of which must be in Art, Art History, or Museum Studies (6.0 credit hours)

Areas of Study:

The program supports areas of study in a range of creative practices including:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Sculpture
• Installation
• Performance art
• Photography
• Printmaking

Teaching:

• The Art Department is supported by excellent studio and resourced with a wide range of outstanding technical workshops and digital facilities.
• Students have access to:
• Metal shop with foundry, forge and CNC plasma cutter
• Individual studios for senior students
• Modern woodshop, ceramic, plaster and textile studios
• Bronze and aluminum foundry
• Digital fabrication and Data Physicalization lab includes CNC router and 3D printer
• Printmaking studios with Boss Laser Engraver
• Digital media studio with 3D and large format printer
• Photography & camera obscura studio with full wet darkroom
• Painting and drawing studios
• Exhibition, installation and experimental spaces
• Sewing studio and loom