The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program prepares you to be an effective and engaged artist in a world increasingly in need of independent thinking, consequential debate, creative vision, and responsible action.
We provide artists who work in any media, format, and context the skills and knowledge necessary to lead consequential lives in the arts. During two years of intensive study and sustained work, you will be challenged to clarify your core values and inspired to make works that embody those values in public, where they start conversations, influence others, and stimulate meaningful change.
Program Highlights
Individual studios in the Art and Music Building dedicated to creation and collaboration between artists
One-on-one studio meetings with internationally recognized artists, critics, and curators
Two-track program that links your work as a artist to the world in which it takes shape, with seminars focused on arts organization dynamics, community engagement and development, curatorial practices and museum studies
Use of the state-of-art ceramics facilities at Scripps College
Access to the faculties and resources from the highly ranked institutions of the Claremont Colleges, including Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, Pomona, and Scripps
Collaboration with graduate students in the Center for Business & Management of the Arts as well as dual-degree options
Proximity to the museums, galleries, and events in Los Angeles
A substantial number of Teaching Assistantship (TA) positions that allow students to gain hands-on teaching experience
Program At a Glance
UNITS
60 units
ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME*
2 years
*This estimate assumes full-time registration and pursuit of the degree. Actual completion times will vary and may be higher, depending on full- or part-time course registration, units transferred, and time to complete other degree requirements.
The Joan & David Lincoln Fellowship provides generous financial support and infrastructure for art students pursuing ceramics, including the 5,000-square-foot Joan & David Lincoln Ceramics Center and a visiting professorship in ceramics.
Personal Studios
You will receive your own personal studio space that is approximately 12x22 feet with track lighting. Each second floor studio is equipped with a skylight.
Personal Studios
Your studio neighbors will be both first- and second-year artists, so you will be able to talk with experienced students from day one.
Gallery Spaces
Gallery and exhibition locations throughout the art building are host to a variety of student and visiting artist exhibitions.
Gallery spaces
You will present your solo graduate exhibition in either the the Peggy Phelps or East Gallery, two large galleries in the art building.
Fabrication Facilities
You will have 24-hour access to a fully equipped wood shop, welding facility, plastics/casting booth, and critical maker tools.
Wood Shop & Sculpture Yard
A fully equipped wood shop and the building’s rear sculpture yard accommodate the fabrication needs of our student body.
Sculpture Workshop
Students are given the critical space and tools to bring their sculptures to life in the Art Department's Sculpture Workshop.
Visiting Artist Lecture Series
Our Visiting Artist Lecture Series exposes you to professionals and practitioners with deep experience and insight. Visiting artists help mentor students, foster innovative projects, and promote intercollegiate collaboration. The lectures are free and open to the public.
8 units in one of two tracks: Arts Management or Community Engagement/Curatorial & Museum Studies
6 units of Electives or Additional Studio Art
MFA Project
Advancement Paper: In your third semester, you will write an advancement paper that clarifies what it is you do as artist. Your faculty committee will review it.
Advancement Meeting: Held in your studio for one hour with your committee members to help focus your ideas and the development of your work in preparation for your MFA exhibition.
MFA Exhibition: The culmination of your time in the studio, in which you give a public exhibition of your art work.
Sample Curriculum
First Year
Semester
Courses
Units
Fall
Studio Art (8 units), Graduate Seminar (4 units), Spatial Engagement Practicum (3 units)
15
Spring
Studio Art (9 units), Graduate Seminar (4 units), Electives or Additional Studio Art (2 units)
15
Second Year
Semester
Courses
Units
Fall
Studio Art (5 units), Graduate Seminar (4 units), Written/Video Statement Practicum (2 units), Track 1 or 2 Seminar (4 units)
15
Spring
Studio Art (5 units), Graduate Seminar (4 units), Track 1 or 2 Seminar or Additional Studio Art (4 units), Written/Video Statement Seminar (2 units)
15
Faculty & Research
David Pagel
Professor of Art Theory and History
Roland Reiss Endowed Chair in Art
Faculty Coordinator, Center for Business & Management of the Arts
Research Interests
Art, Art media, Painting, Contemporary Art, Art Criticism, Museums and Creativity
Founder & CEO of CuratorLove and Co-Founder of UNDOC+Collective
Research Interests
Aesthetics of Undocumentedness, Undocreative Labor, Art Law and Latinx Labor Politics in the U.S. Emancipatory Policies for Undocreatives, Latinx Aesthetics, Transcendental Curatorial Practices, Necropolitics in Mexican Aesthetics, Institutional accountability and community-driven practices, Latinx contemporary aesthetics market value and business.
