Art Theory and Practice

Degree Types: MFA

The Art Theory and Practice two-year graduate program is best suited to students looking to pursue intense and prolonged periods of studio work in addition to academic study. The program's small size, averaging 10 students, ensures a continuous intensive exchange among faculty and graduate students resulting in a rigorous critical atmosphere in which a range of theoretical perspectives and diverse ways of making and talking about art are valued and encouraged. The backbone of the program is independent study with the core graduate faculty. The periodic addition of visiting lecturers supplements the faculty, adding further dimension and depth.

Complimenting this are seminars, group critique courses and electives. Our program is geared to not only equip our graduates for professional careers as artists and college-level teachers, but to place them on the very forefront of contemporary cultural production.

While our emphasis is on the development of individual studio practice, the program encourages parallel intellectual development in critical theory, art history and non-department electives.

Applicants should contact the program or visit the Art Theory and Practice website to learn about program details and program-specific requirements for admission.

Additional resources:

Degrees Offered

Learning objective(s)/Students should be able to…

  • Focus the ideas and goals that drive their work.
  • Develop their work to increase its effectiveness at reaching those goals.
  • Effectively position their practices in relation to current developments and concerns in the field of contemporary art.
  • Enhance their ability to articulately present their own work to others and to analyze and discuss works of art in general.

Art Theory and Practice Courses

ART 372-0 Seminar (1 Unit)  

Variable content, seminar-based course. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Note that some sections of this course are not approved for graduate credit. Please consult the course description.

Advanced Expression Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

ART 382-0 Studio/Seminar (1 Unit)  

Variable content course with both seminar and studio components. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Note that some sections of this course are not approved for graduate credit. Please consult the course description.

ART 390-0 Studio (1 Unit)  

Variable content, studio-based course. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Note that some sections of this course are not approved for graduate credit. Please consult the course description.

ART 422-1 Graduate Critique (1 Unit)  

Advanced studio course for MFA candidates.

ART 423-0 Visual Artist's Writing Practicum (1 Unit)  

Course explores a wide range of approaches artists use in writing about their work and in using writing as part of their work. Graduate students in departments other than Art Theory and Practice may enroll only with permission of the instructor.

ART 425-0 Graduate Seminar (1 Unit)  

Variable content, seminar-based course. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Graduate students in departments other than Art Theory and Practice may enroll only with permission of the instructor.

ART 499-0 Independent Study (1-3 Units)  

Course may be repeated, up to a maximum of six credits. Permission of instructor and department required.

ART 590-0 Research (1-3 Units)  

Independent investigation of selected problems pertaining to thesis or dissertation. SEE DEPT FOR SECTION AND PERMISSION NUMBERS.