The campus-based Master of Fine Arts program at Johnson State College offers visual artists the opportunity to complete a graduate degree while taking advantage of the rich local and regional artistic communities. As with the low-residency M.F.A. program (run in coordination with the Vermont Studio Center), the campus-based M.F.A. program gives participants the chance to work closely with established artists while focusing on their own creative projects, culminating in a final show.
Academic rigor, studio work and immersion in a community of professional and emerging artists combine to create an ideal environment in which to grow and master your artistic expression — and to build meaningful relationships that help to support a sustainable, lifelong practice in the arts.
Students can specialize or pursue a combination of studio disciplines, including painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, ceramics, digital media and design. Students also investigate contemporary art history and art theory in the context of their own work.
Requirements
| Credits | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 18 cr. | Graduate Studios Projects | Three 6-credit Studio Projects, each stationed in one of the studios in JSC’s Visual Arts Center (VAC). Projects are arranged by completing a Graduate Studio Project Application Form, making a contract for the following semester working under M.F.A. faculty supervision, in cooperation with appropriate studio faculty. Taken in conjunction with M.F.A. Colloquium — see below. |
| 4 cr. | Art/Build Internship | An internship with area arts agencies, venues, projects and exhibitions. |
| 6 cr. | Contemporary Arts Seminar | Two 3-credit courses |
| 10 cr | M.F.A. Colloquium | Five 2-credit courses taken concurrently with the three studio projects and two theses courses — Preparation and Exhibition. Weekly group meetings with all M.F.A. students enrolled that semester, to discuss and critique project and or thesis exhibition progress, challenges and successes. |
| 12 cr. | Summer Studio Residencies | Two 6-credit residencies at JSC’s Visual Arts Center. Each residency comprises an 8-week intensive studio residency housed at the VAC in June and July. Weekly meetings/critiques with M.F.A. faculty. |
| 2 cr. | Contemporary Arts Travel Intensive | Students plan a solo or group educational trip to NYC or other appropriate destination with the advice and consent of M.F.A. faculty. |
| 2 cr. | M.F.A. Thesis Book | Students prepare documentation of their exhibition, including portfolio images, artist statement and other appropriate documentation |
| 6 cr. | M.F.A. Thesis Preparation and Exhibition | |
Typical Program Sequence
| Timing | Courses | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Summer A | One Art/Build Internship (4 cr.); One Summer Studio Residency (6 cr.) | 10 |
| Fall A | One Graduate Studio Project (6 cr.); One M.F.A. Colloquium (2 cr.); One Contemporary Arts Seminar (3 cr.) | 11 |
| Spring A | One Graduate Studio Project (6 cr.); One M.F.A. Colloquium (2 cr.); One Contemporary Arts Seminar (3 cr.) | 11 |
| Summer B | One Summer Studio Residency (6 cr.); One M.F.A. Colloquium (2 cr.); Contemporary Arts Travel Intensive (2 cr.) | 10 |
| Fall B | 1 Graduate Studio Project (6 cr.); 1 M.F.A. Colloquium (2 cr.); Thesis Preparation (3 cr.) | 11 |
| Spring B | Thesis Exhibit Preparation; Final M.F.A. Colloquium (2 cr.); Thesis Book (2 cr.) | 7 |
| Thesis exhibit can happen in Spring B semester or the following summer or fall |