Arts

Headed by an internationally distinguished faculty, the Graduate Program offers a rigorous, interdisciplinary environment for training in the visual arts.  The three-year MFA program comprises a series of core and elective classes in production, theory, and contemporary issues.  Graduate students may also take advantage of the academic excellence UCI provides as a leading research university by taking courses in other departments and programs.  Through a combination of faculty mentorship, seminars, and regular comprehensive peer critiques, the Department of Art affords an optimal intellectual setting for fostering creative and critical development.  In addition to faculty dedicated to facilitating students' understanding of visual art and its cultural contexts, graduate students have access to visiting artists through lectures, studio visits, and colloquia.

The MFA program is designed to provide a thorough and intensive professional training for students wishing to pursue careers in the field of contemporary art.  The program emphasizes experimental and interdisciplinary approaches to art making, while also providing a solid grounding in various disciplinary mediums and post-studio practices.  Students undergo a rigorous course of study combining seminar classes, intensive critique courses, and independent study.

During the first two years, students take courses from a curriculum, totaling 12 units each quarter.  Beyond that, students can select additional course work from any sector of the department or university, including approved upper-division undergraduate courses.  The third year is structured so that students can devote themselves to the production of their thesis exhibition, working intensively with a small faculty committee.

Students may design a course of study that does not focus solely on studio production.  For example, students may concentrate course work outside the department in a research area or pursue a graduate emphasis (e.g., take courses in the Visual Studies PhD program or the Critical Theory Emphasis, both offered by the School of Humanities).

Every year, the department offers several lecture series, where artists, scholars, curators, critics, gallerists, and writers give lectures, engage in conversation, and conduct studio visits.  These included the Graduate Colloquium (ART 220), the Visiting Artist Lecture Series (VALS), and the Catalyst Art Lecture Series (CALS).  Organized by members of the faculty, the Colloquium invites speakers as part of a class where student enage in in-depth discussions in a rigours academic setting, accompanied with supplementary readings and studio visits.  Organized and run by a graduate student committee, VALS invites a slate of visiting artists and scholars relevant to graduate students' own research and practice to speak, often accompanied by studio visits.  Organized by the undergraduate students, CALS coordinate noontime lectures of guests, often current MFA students, to discuss their art practice, providing a mutually supportive link between the graduate and undergraduate student bodies.  Together, these lecture series add to the dynamic exchange of ideas and scholarship that occurs inside and outside the classroom.

Requirements

1. Complete the Online Application for Graduate Admissions, which includes submission of a Statement of Purpose and three (3) letters of recommendations (recommenders must submit letters via online application).
2. Submit a portfolio of 20 images and/or other media samples, to be uploaded at https://ctsa.slideroom.com. Images must include title of the work, size, year, medium, description, and duration of the work, if time-based.  Slideroom will ask for a "student number;" please enter the application number given to you when you apply online.
3. One copy of transcripts from the Undergraduate institution(s) attended by the applicant.
4. Letter of Intent (sent directly to the Department). The Letter of Intent should address the seriousness of  applicants' intentions, experience, and motivation to enter the Critical & Curatorial Studies program. Applicants must clearly state what they want to study and what their research focus will be.  Applicants must further summarize their college and/or professional experience, and conclude with what intellectual and professional contributions they wish to make in their fields of study upon completion of the degree. Length: 1000 words.
5. Writing Sample (sent directly to the Department). The Writing Sample allows the admissions committee to access applicants' ability to craft an argument that is founded upon thorough research of a given topic. It may be a publication; a college paper that reflects excellence in applicants' field of study is also acceptable. Length: variable.
6. Proposed project (sent directly to the Department). Applicants should imagine what a final project might be in their final year of study in the program.  While this section of the application is in no way a "contract" for the thesis, it allows the admissions committee to assess the seriousness and preparedness of applicants' research. The proposal could be an exhibition, conference, critical writing pursuit, etc. Length: 1000 words.

Scholarships

• Fellowships or Grants
• Teaching or Research Assistantships 
• Need-based Financial Aid
• Personal Resources