Application Deadline January 15, 2010, 12:00 pm. Please view application delivery notes below. -- The three-year Master of Fine Arts degree program at San Francisco State University is designed to provide professional competency for the student pursuing a career as an artist including working in public roles, such as teaching, etc. Students are accepted into the program in the following areas of concentration or combination's thereof: Ceramics, Conceptual and Information Arts, New Practices, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Textiles. While affiliation with a single area of concentration is the norm, a broad approach to art-making and the development of a coherent, informed understanding of issues relevant to many forms of expression is encouraged throughout the program.
Studio related seminars and individually supervised tutorials form the core of the program. Special seminars in adjunct academic fields complement the studio focus of the program. Approximately two-thirds of the program is dedicated to studio and one-third to academically related courses. While all students can expect to experience a similar range of studio, seminar and tutorial classes, individual paths through the program are worked out through consultation with a graduate advisor/mentor.
Area Descriptions
Ceramics
The Ceramics Area provides each classified graduate with his/her own workspace. General facilities include 20 Robert Brent wheels, hand building tables, 3 gas kilns, 5 electric kilns (including a glo-bar kiln), 2 Raku kilns, 1 soda (salt) kiln under construction, a clay mixer, slab roller and 2 extruders. There is a large glaze room with a spray booth, spray guns, air brush, etc. Ceramic instructors work with Raku, pit fire, high and low firing processes. They have explored large mural formats and industrial clay pipes. The area is looking for dedicated clay artists; hungry to work with clay.
Conceptual and Information Arts
The Conceptual and Information Arts area focuses on contemporary art explorations in non-traditional media that integrate the information bases, work styles, and perspectives of disciplines outside the arts—especially those involving science and technology. The program stresses integration of intuitive processes typical of the arts with structured processes of planning and problem solving more characteristic of other disciplines. The area promotes non-conventional art media, new media, and the movement of artists into non-art contexts. Faculty each students concrete skills related to contemporary technology such as structured problem solving, analysis of biological systems, computers, telecommunications, interactive media, and the electronic synthesis of image, text, and sound, and explores the integration of these technologies into performance and installation. The program places emphasis on the perspectives of critical analysis of cultural systems, language and media. Students who can demonstrate outstanding work that moves beyond traditional art categories or which shows innovative use of new technologies are encouraged to apply. A formal undergraduate background in the arts in not required as long as the documentation demonstrates significant art explorations.
New Practices
"New Practices" is an area within the Art Department for graduate students, who choose to explore art practice, conceptual ideas, and theory in two or more media. While New Practices is not a specialized emphasis within the Art Department, it is a category that allows incoming candidates whose work bridges two or more media, to shape their graduate program in accordance with their particular art practice. Students wishing to enter as New Practice candidates must have a firm foundation in historical and current art practice, and be seeking a new synthesis of expression. Candidates must identify their current media, or the areas in which they are intending to work in their application. Objectives for graduate study must also be specified. Candidates can combine any two or more areas from within the Art Department, including Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Textiles, Conceptual and Information Arts, Ceramics or Photography. All New Practice MFA candidates must work regularly with advisors from the areas they have designated for each year they are in the MFA program.
Painting/Drawing
The area offers guided development of personal ideas, images and theory through the disciplines of painting, drawing and related art-making processes. The faculty consists of a unique blend of highly professional artists whose work reflects a spectrum of trends in the field. Classified Graduate students are accepted into the program in all areas of that spectrum. The faculty looks for students with high levels of achievement and maturity and with potential for the development of significant expression while they are in the program. At the present time there is some shared graduate painting space available. Students accepted into the program are encouraged to provide their own work space. Independent study is available and encouraged for a portion of the program. Some teaching Assistantships are also available on a "for credit" basis. The program focuses specifically on the development of ideas in the context of painting as a Fine Art. Portfolios that include only examples of illustration competency are strongly discouraged.
Photography
The photography area at San Francisco State University is dedicated to instruction in the methodologies of photography in context of contemporary art practice. These processes include black-and-white chemical based photography as well as digital technologies. Faculty works closely with the MFA candidate to develop a program that builds skills and work well suited for exhibition. The curriculum encourages student teaching where the student works with the photography faculty in developing their presentation skills in a classroom situation. Facilities for photography include black-and-white and digital labs. For black-and-white processes, there is a twenty-station group darkroom with 4x5 enlargers for processing prints, individual darkrooms for processing film, a group area for processing film. The digital labs consist of 12 Macintosh based work stations that are networked to two 24" wide Epson printers. There is a specialized lab for working with extra large media up to 44" with directly linked Macintosh computers. Graduate students also have access to a separate black and white darkroom that they may set up for a number of specialized processes.
Printmaking
The Printmaking area is equipped with studio space that promotes a cross-disciplinary approach. Intaglio, relief, letterpress, and lithography print shops are all connected allowing a free flow of alternative research to new methods of impressions. A new computer lab for printmaking students also provides opportunities for digital explorations. The area provides graduate and undergraduate students with a wealth of possibility in mixed media work. Through continued manipulation of the print, new relationships can be formed and limitation expanded. Flowing from their individual concerns, by their concentrated efforts as printmakers, the dissemination of information through the artist's book, or the image of commercial reproduction, all contribute to the influence that defines contemporary printmaking. Equipment and Facilities available: 3 hand litho presses capable of printing up to 30" x 40" images from aluminum plates and stones, 3 etching presses, 2 with the capability of printing up to 30" x 40", 2 Vandercook letterpresses, darkroom including enlarger, Copy camera, NuArc platemaker, and digital options. A graduate assistantship is available through the printmaking area.
Sculpture
Sculpture at San Francisco State University provides instructional emphasis aimed at stimulating development of self-knowledge, engagement with contemporary artistic and cultural issues, and communication using a wide range of processes, materials and venues. The sculpture area encourages open-ended investigations, creative risk-taking and the strengthening of observational, research, analytical, reflective and strategic-thinking skills. Sculpture faculty have strong traditional studio knowledge as well as commitment to exploring the boundaries of current 3-dimensional investigations. The sculpture area equipment centers on fabricating processes, particularly metals and non-ferrous materials. The area also encourages wide-ranging explorations with site specific installations, publicly sited works, art and community processes, multi-media and multi-disciplinary expressions as well as performance art and collaborative and inter-active processes. The Sculpture area consists of approximately 9000 sq. ft. of work space and has a graduate population of 5 to 6 students. Each graduate student is provided approximately 300 sq. ft. studio space adjacent to instructional areas. Several graduate assistantship positions are available through the sculpture area.
Textiles
The visual language of textiles reaches broadly across disciplines in fine arts and design. Today, textile techniques, materials and traditions are ubiquitous in contemporary fine arts. From the resurgence of needlecrafts to the use of repeat pattern conventions - textiles, and the principles of the discipline, are at the center of much of the most exciting art and design of the day. The Textiles area strives to bring a modern vocabulary to a centuries-old language. In addition to a strong emphasis on technique and craftsmanship, the Textiles area stresses the importance of process and research in the development of creative work. The curriculum considers the aesthetic and emotional qualities of traditional cloth and craft as a touchstone for how contemporary creative work can be informed and contextualized. Within this framework, students are required to create artwork that is self-directed, inventive, and original. The textile facility consists of two large studios and a dye lab. It has a good supply of four and eight harness floor looms and three AVL sixteen-harness computerized dobby looms. The dye lab is spacious, well ventilated, and thoroughly equipped.
Curriculum Requirements
Studio Course Requirements
- Art 704: Seminar in Art 18 units. Taken six times at 3 units/semester, by advisement. 18 units
- Art 780: Graduate Visiting Artist/Scholar Studio. Taken twice at 3 units/semester 6 units
- Studio Electives: Two courses at 3 units each may be taken in any of the Art Department's areas of concentration, or in any other department offering studio courses. 6 units
- Art 882: Tutorial in Studio 6 units. Taken twice at 3 units/semester. 6 units
- Art 890: Creative Work Research 3 units
- Art 894: Creative Work Project (Thesis exhibition preparation) 3 units
Studio Total: 42 units
Academic Course Requirements
- Art 700: Seminar in Art Theory and Criticism, 3 units
- Art 705: Seminar in Art History, 3 units
- Art 850: Directed Experience in Public Roles for Artists, 3 units
- Art 882: Tutorial in Studio, 6 units. Taken twice at 3 units/semester for a total of 6 units
- Academic Electives: 9 units, May be taken in any department, and may include additional academic and/or art courses in theory, criticism, history and directed experience, by advisement.
Academic Total: 18 units
Overall Total: 60 units
Course Descriptions
Seminar in Art (Art 704)
The Art 704 seminar is the nucleus of the M.F.A. program, and is taken each semester until six seminars have been completed. Seminars generally are offered in a multidisciplinary context. During the course of the program, students will find opportunities to take seminars from faculty in their principal concentration as well as from faculty in other areas.
Visiting Artist (Art 780)
In order to assure a broad studio experience, M.F.A. students take two courses with visiting artists not part of the regular faculty. These visiting faculty are selected on the basis of their exceptional contribution to contemporary art-making activities, and because of their ability to present approaches to art making which extend the Department's directions.
Studio Electives
Students are required to take two studio electives, from any studio courses offered in the University, by advisement.
Tutorial and Creative Work (Art 882, 890, 894)
In order to complete the M.F.A. degree, students must demonstrate the development of a mature body of individual work. The last year in the program is reserved fully for this purpose. This work is done within the context of tutorial and creative work courses which involve direct supervision by members of the graduate faculty. An exhibition and written documentation is part of the requirement.
History, Theory and Criticism (Art 700, 705)
Prior to entering the final year, students take two seminars which require scholarly re-search and knowledge in academic fields closely allied to art making (Art 700: Seminar in Art Theory and Criticism, taken the first semester, & Art 705: Seminar in Art History). In these seminars a wide variety of contemporary issues and professional concerns for practicing artists are examined.
Directed Experience in Public Roles for Artists (Art 850)
One semester of field experience, either as a teaching assistant for a member of the studio faculty or as an intern in an arts-related organization, is required. This course is designed to address the growing multiple roles in which artists often function in addition to or in conjunction with exhibiting work. Art 850 includes periodic meetings in a semi-nar format.
Seminar in Teaching Art Practice (Art 750)
Designed to help prepare graduate students in art to teach in a college/university set-ting. The primary emphasis of the course will be to guide students to be effective teach-ers of studio practice in different disciplines. This is an elective course that satisfies an academic requirement (see below).
Academic Electives
In addition to the above-specified academic seminars, a number of additional academic classes are required as electives. These classes are taken, by advisement, in art-related fields such as history, theory, criticism and directed experience, or in academic fields throughout the University related to a student's interests and art- making activities.
Transfer of Credit for Previous Graduate Work
Up to 30 classified graduate units taken while completing a Master's degree in Art at any accredited institution may be transferred towards credit for the M.F.A. degree. No more than twelve units (a maximum of six units in studio courses) of work taken in unclassified post-baccalaureate status may be transferred towards credit for the M.F.A. degree. All transfer of credit must be approved on a course-by-course basis by a Graduate Advisor, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Office of Graduate Studies
Recommended 3-year Program
First Year
Fall Semester
- Art 700: Seminar in Art Theory & Criticism * (Note) 3 units, Academic Credit
- Art 704: Seminar in Art, 3units, Studio Credit
- Studio Elective, 3 units, Studio Credit
- Academic Elective, 3 units, Academic Credit
Semester Total: 12
Spring Semester
- Art 704: Seminar in Art, 3 units, Studio Credit
- Art 705: Seminar in Art History, 3 units, Academic Credit
- Academic Elective, 3 units, Academic Credit
Semester Total: 9
Second Year
Fall Semester
- Art 704: Seminar in Art, 3 units, Studio Credit
- Art 780: Visiting Artist Studio, 3 units, Studio Credit
- Art 850: Directed Experience in Public Roles, 3 units, Academic Credit
Semester Total: 9
Spring Semester
- Art 704: Seminar in Art, 3 units, Studio Credit
- Art 780: Visiting Artist Studio, 3 units, Studio Credit
- Academic Elective, 3 units, Academic Credit
- Studio Elective, 3 units, Studio Credit
Semester Total: 12
Third Year
Fall Semester
- Art 704: Seminar in Art, 3 units, Studio Credit
- Art 882: Tutorial, 3 units, Studio Credit
- Art 890: Creative Work Research, 3 units, Studio Credit
Spring Semester
- Art 704: Seminar in Art, 3 units, Studio Credit
- Art 882: Tutorial , 3 units, Studio Credit
- Art 894: Creative Work Project, 3 units, Studio Credit
Semester Total: 9
Cumulative Total: 60
Note: Art 700 is mandatory for First Year MFA Students
Admission to the M.F.A. Program
Applications for classified status in the M.F.A. program are accepted beginning November 1, 2009 for admission the following fall. Applicants are required to file two separate applications, one to the University, and one to the Art Department. Applicants not completing both requirements cannot be considered for admission. Admission to classified status requires acceptance by both the University’s Graduate Studies Division and the Art Department Mailed applications must be postmarked by January 15, 2010, and hand-delivered applications must be received by noon on January 15, 2010. Please note that January 15 is a furlough day, and the office will not be open for staff to receive hand-delivered applications. Hand delivered applications and those with a postmark of January 16th or later will not be accepted after January 15, 2010. Also, the Art Department Office will be on a reduced schedule during January, so please plan accordingly. The furlough schedule is at the following URL: http://www.sfsu.edu/~news/announce/115.html.
Please address or hand deliver applications to:
Art Department Graduate Secretary
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
FA 265
San Francisco, CA 94132
I. University Application
A graduate admissions application is obtained by visiting the CSU mentor website at: http://www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/. The University Admissions Office must receive the formal application for admission by January 15, 2010. The University Admissions Application requires 1 official copy of transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended by the applicant.
II. Art Department Application
The Art Department's M.F.A. admission application requirements are listed below. All application materials must be submitted to the art department as a single package.
- An undergraduate art degree or an equivalent preparatory degree, with three units of contemporary art history taken within the last five years. If the applicant does not complete this upon admission to the program, enrollment in a contemporary art history class during the first semester is required.
- A completed Art Department M.F.A Admissions Application form - DOC.
- One copy of official or unofficial transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended. These must be submitted with the M.F.A. application. (The Art Department transcript requirements are in addition to the official transcripts required in the application to the University.) Note that transcripts will not be forwarded to the Art Department from the Admissions Office.
- A two-page double-spaced Statement of Purpose describing the applicant's interests and background in art, reasons for pursuing the M.F.A. degree, and reasons for selecting San Francisco State University.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to testify to the appli-cant's capabilities and readiness to enter graduate study in art. The three letters should be signed, sealed and included with all other application materials.
- Creative work portfolio. See specific requirements below.
- Return postage (stamps only, we do not accept money or checks) for slide tray if not picking up in person.
III. International Applicants
If you are an international applicant the letters of recommendation, the statement of purpose and any other supplemental written documents must be translated into English. The Division of Graduate Studies requires the TOEFL exam for English language assessment, which has to have been completed in the past two calendar years.
Portfolio Submission
The submitted portfolio is one of the most critical components of the application. The Graduate Selection Committee, composed of the entire full-time Art Department faculty, screens documentation of work in search of candidates with strong artistic direction and with promise of continuing in a sustained, independent and exploratory manner.
The Selection Committee will review 20 digital images from each candidate. Additional im-ages will not be reviewed to ensure that each candidate’s portfolio is given an equal amount of attention. Applicants working in other digital or time-based media may submit an alternate digital portfolio in lieu of the 20 images. Where appropriate, other documentary material is admissible in addition to or in place of images. This may include writings, films, audio recordings and/or video. See below for documentation requirements.
Students must use standard digital formats that can be viewed on a Macintosh computer. Documentation can also be in the form of web-based presentations (viewable in current web browsers – without any uncommon plug-ins); DVD presentations (viewable via a standard DVD player on a Macintosh computer); or on CD with standard formatted files (jpg images no more than 2 MB each or Quicktime movies). Due to time constraints, time-based digital media and film should be cued and cannot exceed 3 minutes. Short segments should be excerpted from longer pieces. Full-length versions of time-based media can be included as a supplement but should be labeled as such. These versions will not be considered during the first round of the review process.
Files should be labeled according to the following protocol: last name.first name.image number.image name (e.g., smith.joyce.001.ghost.jpg). A typed, ordered list, corresponding to the order of the images on the CD/DVD, identifying work by title, date, media, size and other significant information must be included. Portfolios not meeting these requirements will not be reviewed. The organization of your materials is an element that will be considered in evaluating your application.
Applicants who want their materials returned by mail must include a self- addressed return mailing label and sufficient postage (in stamps) for the return of materials. You may include a padded envelope, addressed and stamped. If you do not include a padded envelope, your carousel will be returned in its box. Do not send checks or traveler's checks. Materials will not be returned without postage. Materials may be hand delivered and/or retrieved in the art office. No applications can be returned until the process of official notification of acceptance or rejection has been completed.
Original artwork should not be submitted unless requested. Every effort will be made to safeguard application materials while they are in the custody of the Art Department. However, neither the Department nor the University can be held responsible for lost items. Therefore, it is highly recommended that applicants not send their only copies of any material.
Complete applications, as described above, must be received by January 15, 2010, 12:00 pm, in order to be reviewed by the Graduate Selection Committee for admission in the fall. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
We welcome your inquiry and wish you success in the event you apply. A strictly limited number of applicants can be admitted to the M.F.A. program and the process is highly competitive. Please be assured, however, that your materials will be carefully reviewed. Applicants will be informed of the status of their applications for fall 2010 admission around April 1, 2010.
Please visit our Frequently asked questions area of this site for more information regarding the M.F.A. program and application requirements.
Contact Information:
Art Department Graduate Secretary
415-338-2177
artgrad@sfsu.edu
