MFA Studio Art Graduate Programs: How Do I Know if Should I Get an MFA Degree?

[@chantelleshaven]

I am at a point in my Art career where I am torn between pursuing an MFA or an Art residency. After watching this video, I think I’ll do a couple of residencies instead because it’ll be cheaper and also because I just want to be in an environment which helps me focus on my art practice. Thanks for this video 🙏🏿. New subscriber here 🥰

[@artprof]

Absolutely!! I am leaning towards that too, actually.... - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@artprof]

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[@shetlandsheep3081]

I am 53 and just about to start my masters fine art (painting and printmaking) - my first degree was in ancient Greek History; it is never too late! I do have a professional practice though, and think that’s essential to show that you are serious and are achieving things even before doing the masters. I also did a couple of lengthy residencies in the Uk and overseas, as well as moonlighting in a portfolio prep course where everyone else was a school pupil applying for foundation year - I did it to get live figure drawing- they let me join and the tutor was actually the one who said I really should apply for a masters.

[@artprof]

Oooooo I LOVE ancient Greece, especially the Hellenistic period had such incredible sculptures. -Prof Lieu

[@DJ-sr9gp]

I found this video lacking time stamps. So here they are! 0:28 Welch's Experience in their MFA programs. 2:47 What's an MFA? 3:21 What does "Studio Art" mean? 4:24 Do MFA's pay their students? 7:00 A PhD in Art? 7:32 MFA's Cost an arm and a leg. 10:12 MFA versus atelier, and what is an atelier? 12:33 Questioning your education choices and Art Residencies 15:00 Your graduating school and your career. 17:26 Art school, but it's on Zoom. 20:47 Interdisciplinary work in an MFA program? 24:16 How your undergrad degree affects your MFA program and admission. 28:19 More on Art Residencies. 30:49 Settings to develop your skills! 34:54 The art industry, an MFA program, and getting that bread. 37:12 The different career paths with an MFA. 40:42 Dual degree programs with Museum Studies (Sadly their knowledge is surface level). 41:37 MFA in Animation. 42:48 The intimidation of MFA programs. 45:06 Welch's take on reasons to attain an MFA. 47:57 More on how your undergrad degree affects your MFA program and admission. 48:35 "Pre-MFA" Programs: Post Baccalaureate Programs 49:33 Doing an MFA part-time. You guys are so amazing. As a student deeply affected by COVID-19 financially, and with a lack of art education, you're really helping me improve my understanding of art and art education. If I'm accepted into my top art school next year you are realistically 20% of the reason I made it there. Don't stop making this content please, it's really aiding me and likely others in making our art education more accessible than it is currently. Stay safe and healthy!

[@artprof]

Wow thank you so much! I added these to the video description so others can find it more easily. Greatly appreciate the help. -Prof Lieu

[@yolanywinters]

37:12 Career paths with an MFA - You could also become an Art Director (that's my goal), to be an art director (as a contractor - sometimes) and a fine artist at the same time. I think it's possible. I have a B.A. in Psychology and certificates in marketing/web dev - but I have seen agencies hire BFA's as Art Directors

[@artprof]

So true! Art directing is a really cool line of work :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@Bavubuka]

I love the honesty here.

[@Juststudiothings]

I remember there was a conversation about phD programs for artists, I think it was mostly conceptual work at that level. I heard about it about 8 years ago through bad at sports podcast.

[@KevinContreras2013]

I think the biggest barriers for me when it comes to getting a MFA is the cost of the programs and the consistency of my studio practice. I know when I graduated with my BFA, I wasn't ready for a MFA. Even though I didn't graduate with a ton of debt, I wasn't nearly making the money that I needed to prepare myself to go get one. I only know a few from my graduating class that went on to get a MFA right after graduation and a lot of them had outside help. Also, I was just so burnt out from making art and my practice really took a nose dive. But it wasn't just me, a lot of my classmates that I still follow on social media really slowed down making art after graduation. My assumption is that you're ready to get a MFA once you know how to maintain a good and consistent studio practice after getting your BFA, is that true?

[@maleehaali7576]

Hi, I am an architect with a BArch. I have always wanted to study art, since I was a child, but I couldn't get in any art schools in my city. I really enjoy making art, but I am not sure if it's appropriate for me to apply for a MFA abroad since I don't have a BFA.

[@artprof]

So so true!!! I love palette knives, I think they are so much fun when it comes to oil painting :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@julielatkinson]

This was really helpful. Thank you!

[@artprof]

We're happy to hear that! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@joshtaylor4583]

Some colleges are starting to offer Ph.D.s in Fine Arts (to get more money out of us?).

[@sk_abstract_art]

I would be curious to know what you think of these low residency MFA programs out there...(Vermont College comes to mind amongst others) Also, if you're not on the east coast, is Yale and Columbia still going to be as strong of an influence? Going to art school in MN and AZ, I didn't see professors with those schools listed in their CV.

[@artprof]

I think the low-residency MFA programs are a really good option for those that have full time jobs, families, or other obligations that make it difficult to relocate or spend 100% of your time in school. I've heard wonderful things about Vermont College. I used to work for a school that had a low-res MFA program, and they had a top notch team of professors that the students all really loved! -Lauryn (Art Prof Teaching Artist)

[@sk_abstract_art]

@@artprof good to know! Thank you for this info!!💖

[@lexi7154]

Hey!, I am currently an undergrad marketing student who is hoping to apply for a master's in fashion marketing/related courses and is still unsure of the differences between the MA and the MFA. My dream career is to work in a high marketing position for a luxury brand but unsure which one would be best for me. Any advice would be much appreciated!

[@artprof]

Hi! I think this would be a great question to ask on the Art Prof Discord. There are lots of artists both in higher ed programs and working professionally in different art fields that can give you some advice to this end: discord.com/invite/2Ena4aR5Dh -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@catherinewhite4313]

I am going to be 60 thos year. I am a serious artist. I am not, I mean not planning to go into debt for this. That leaves SAIC et al off the table. Any thoughts?

[@artprof]

I think you can completely self direct an art education through platforms like ours & many others! If an MFA is what you're looking for, you can research the different programs and hear about what they're like through student interviews. Then you can try and patchwork an equivalent experience for yourself! It won't ever be the exact same, but if you have the drive you can make the most out of anything :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@sonnet1862]

Would you say things like a Post-Bacc program/ateliers/artist co-ops/residencies would be a solid substitute for a BFA?

[@sonnet1862]

And then after completing those things apply for an MFA?

[@artprof]

Depends on your situation, but the biggest difference is time; a BFA is 4 years, whereas post-bacc is only 1 year, and residencies can be anywhere from 1 week to 3 months. Ateliers are different because it's more about rigorous technical instruction that developing a conceptually driven body of work. Artist co-ops are much more focused on exhibitions, and aren't really educational the way a school is. -Prof Lieu

[@artprof]

You do have to have an undergraduate degree to apply for an MFA and post-bacc, so atelier/co-op/residency won't qualify. -Prof Lieu

[@sonnet1862]

@@artprof yes I’ll have a bachelors in nursing in a few months 😕 nothing to do with art but it was my “money grab” job. Nursing just took a little longer than I realized it would. I guess I’m just trying to find the smartest way to gain the education I want/need in art to get into an MFA program because I really want to delve deep into the work and ultimately be able to show my work at shows, gain recognition in the art world, and maybe teach one day. I’d love to do the BFA but I’ll have my BSN soon and I’m wondering if that’d be too much! 😩

[@joshtaylor4583]

I have an MFA. Colleges are hiring BFA people over me.