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Master of Fine Arts

The Department of Art's MFA in Contemporary Art Practice is a two-year full-residency program. Students complete at least 90 credits, distributed in the following way:

  • 40 credits Contemporary Art Practice/Directed Studies
  • 12 credits Visiting Artist Program/Group Critique
  • 12 credits Contemporary Art History/Theory
  • 8 credits Electives (outside Art Department)
  • 12 credits Graduate Seminars
  • 6 credits Exhibition Project/Statement
Working with designated faculty during the first year, students are encouraged to explore new media, models and ideas as they develop a proposal for creative activity that culminates with an exhibition project in the second year. Individual faculty discussions, peer critiques, seminars in current issues/contemporary art history and weekly lectures by nationally and internationally recognized visiting artists help students broaden their field of inquiry.

Upon successful completion of the first-year candidacy review, students work with a faculty advisor to produce their exhibition project. The project is presented in a public exhibition or other appropriate form in the spring quarter of the second year.


Space and Resources

Individual studio spaces for Studio Practice students and group workspace for Social Practice students are provided for duration of the program. The Department of Art has several galleries, state-of-the-art computer graphics and multimedia facilities, a foundry, a welding studio, a printmaking studio with etching and lithography presses, a darkroom, wood and metal workshops and a slide library. All members of the faculty are professional artists actively engaged in their respective fields.

Assistantships

Teaching assistantships may be applied for after admission and are awarded competitively each year. Students awarded teaching assistantships receive partial tuition remission and a stipend. Teaching Assistants are mentored by faculty in undergraduate courses while they investigate methods and concepts of teaching visual culture in seminar. Upon successful completion of the first term practicum, students teach independently for up to two additional quarters.


Travel

The program includes annual trips to major urban art centers such as New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Toronto. The Art Department's Summer Travel Program to Italy is also open to graduate students who can earn up to eight credits toward the degree in this manner.


Office of Graduate Studies and Research

Information about funding resources for graduate students may be found on the Graduate Studies web site.

Financial Aid

Information about university scholarships and financial aid may be found on the Financial Aid Office web site.


Questions

askmfa@pdx.edu