Master of Fine Arts
Areas of Emphasis: Painting and Drawing, Photography, and Motion Arts
In the Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts program at Southwest University of Visual Arts, students learn how to develop a successful studio practice in the visual arts. The MFA in Studio Arts curriculum brings together multiple creative disciplines into an advanced course of study that offers three areas of emphasis: Photography, Drawing/Painting, and Motion Arts. With the guidance of an accomplished faculty, students learn the intellectual rigor, deliberate thought, and inter-disciplinary approach necessary for a professional career of sustained creative inquiry.
Curriculum
Throughout four semesters of study, MFA students meet individually with graduate faculty advisors chosen from the student's area of emphasis, Painting and Drawing, Photography, or Motion Arts. Working one-on-one with a faculty mentor, students resolve technical, conceptual, and aesthetics issues relevant to the production of a creative body of work.
Participating as a member of a community of practicing artists, students work collaboratively towards their creative and professional goals. On a weekly basis each semester, MFA students from all disciplines gather in a forum to discuss ideas, show works in-progress, and participate in critique of finished projects.
Core graduate courses in modern and contemporary art history, art criticism and writing, and visual studies stimulate creativity and critical thought, while providing a foundation for further research in greater depth. A diverse variety of emphasis-specific elective courses allow for an in-depth exploration of technical, cultural, and aesthetic subjects. Courses in marketing, promotion, exhibitions, and management provide a set of tools, perspectives, and practices for successful professional development and community building.
Elective courses within each area of emphasis offer investigations of relevant histories, critical theories, emergent technologies, and contemporary practices in Studio Arts. In the Painting and Drawing emphasis, graduate students study a range of contemporary approaches --the use of non-traditional media, re-use and appropriation, immersive environments, process-based practices, and digital technologies. Photography emphasis coursework includes studies of the photographic archive, 19th and 20th century photographic histories, creative strategies behind micro and macro formats, contemporary abstractions, and digital practices. In the Motion Arts emphasis, students explore social networking and creative collaborations, narratives and archetypes, media theories, the history and impact of popular cinema, and the possibilities of Motion Arts as both Art and Business.
Faculty
Drawn from departments and programs from across the college, Southwest University of Visual Arts' MFA faculty members are accomplished in their fields, and have extensive teaching and professional experience. Issues in contemporary studio theory, practice, and philosophy are investigated with the participation of visiting artists and faculty. The student to faculty ratio allows for extensive, individualized, one-on-one attention throughout the entire MFA program of study.
Facilities / Tools
Southwest University of Visual Arts provides state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for its graduate students. Studio Art MFA students enjoy personal space as well as excellent common facilities at the college. Graduate students have 24-hour/7-day-a- week access to graduate studios, secure storage, a graduate study center, computers, printers, drawing tables, kitchen facilities and restrooms.
MFA students also have access to the campus library, painting and drawing studios, professional gallery, photography lab and darkroom, PC and Mac platform computers, state-of-the-art software, all campus events and parking.
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MFA Program
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SUVA Graduate chosen for international exhibition.
Southwest University of Visual Arts Students win district competition.
ReCycle ReUse RePurpose Juried Exhibition
in the William Platz Gallery Apr 6 – May 18
Weekly Winner
Name Brandy Sheets
Class PH407 Photographic Series
View Past Winners
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