Fine Arts Studio Master of Fine Arts Degree
Fine Arts Studio
Master of Fine Arts Degree
Overview
The MFA in fine arts studio is committed to collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches both within the four major fine arts areas of study (painting, printmaking, sculpture, or expanded forms) and the entire College of Art and Design.
What is Fine Arts?
Fine arts refers to creating artwork through painting, sculpture, printmaking, illustration, expanded forms, and other visual arts. Those earning an MFA in fine arts work as artists, art educators, art instructors, curators, gallery directors, archivists, or administrators of arts and cultural institutions.
RIT's Master's in Fine Arts
The MFA in fine arts studio is a rigorous two-year program comprised of major studio courses; studio electives such as glass, ceramics, film, and photography; theory and research seminars; as well as thesis credits. The program's structure allows for personal growth, experimentation, collaboration, and unique, non-discipline-specific results to occur in the thesis, which is a public exhibition of the student's work. Courses are meant to concentrate on creative visual work while also thinking about making and sustaining a dialogue.
Join us virtually
Discover how graduate study at RIT can help further your career objectives.
Join us virtually
Discover how graduate study at RIT can help further your career objectives.
Join us virtually
Discover how graduate study at RIT can help further your career objectives.
Careers and Experiential Learning
Typical Job Titles
| Art Teacher | Fine Artist |
| Assistant Archivist | Gallery Director |
| Mural Artist | Studio Artist |
Salary and Career Information for Fine Arts Studio MFA
Cooperative Education and Internships
What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete with real, relevant career experience that sets you apart. In the College of Art and Design experiential learning includes cooperative education and internships, international experiences, multidisciplinary projects, industry partnerships, and more. Participating in these opportunities is not only possible at RIT, but passionately encouraged.
Cooperative education, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities are optional but strongly encouraged for graduate students in the MFA in fine arts studio.
Featured Work
Renowned Printmaker
Eileen Bushnell
Professor Eileen Feeney Bushnell was awarded Best in Show at Print Club of Rochester's 90th annual Member Exhibition in 2021 for her printmaking work, "The 60th Year" (Intaglio, Monoprint...
'Connections'
Kerina Mangiaracina
"In my life as a child, wife, mother and artist, the issues related to relationships and connections to others have defined the parameters of my journey. Bonds that link or separate us, desire,...
Digital Photography
Yaoqin Xiao
“The work is about relativity. Everything is relative, even time and space. The more a man explores the world, the more he knows his insignificance. The feeling of debility submerged me in front...
Featured Profiles
Class of 2021 Reflections
College of Art and Design Class of 2021 graduates share their favorite RIT memories and offer inspirational words for their peers.
Artful Couple
Bradley Butler ’10 MFA (Fine Arts Studio) and Sarah Butler ’08 (Graphic Design), together since high school, run Clifton Springs, N.Y.'s Main Street Arts gallery.
Revolutionizing Fiber Sculpture
Susan Ferrari Rowley ’76 MST (Visual Arts-All Grades), ’81 MFA (Fine and Applied Arts) has spent her professional life in pursuit of excellence and developing an impressive body of work that shows the...
Curriculum for Fine Arts Studio MFA
Fine Arts Studio, MFA degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| STAR-701 | Technology in the Studio This course will introduce a contemporary technology used by the course instructor in their studio practice. Students will be encouraged to investigate how this technology may be applied in their making process. The subjects offered in the course will vary according to the faculty teaching the class. The course can be taken multiple times with faculty permission. Studio 6 (Fall Or Spring). |
3 |
| STAR-702 | Studio Art Research This course will prepare graduate students for the written component of the thesis. Course content will cover defining research in the arts, arts based research, research through practice, critical judgment, writing strategically and critically for reflective thinking and scholarly dissemination. At the completion of this course students will be able to write a thesis proposal addressing a research question or direction along with objectives, context, and methods. (Prerequisites: STAR-701 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| STAR-714 | Ideation and Series Creative flow, having an endless stream of ideas, alternatives, and choices for solutions, helps creative work evolve and reach more advanced levels. In this course students develop appropriate skills and strategies to generate ideas and develop them effectively into a cohesive body of work. (Prerequisites: This course is restricted to students in the FNAS-MFA or GLASS-MFA
or METAL-MFA or CCER-MFA or WOOD-MFA programs.) Studio 6 (Fall). |
3 |
Major Studio Courses* |
12 | |
Open Electives |
6 | |
Professional Elective |
3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| STAR-706 | Business Practices for Studio Artists This class is devoted to business issues that artists must address including portfolio management, pricing and marketing strategies, and public relations for pursuit of a professional career as studio artists. Financial and communication skills are highlighted as are networking skills for the advancement of an artist’s work. (Prerequisites: This course is restricted to students in the FNAS-MFA or GLASS-MFA
or METAL-MFA or CCER-MFA or WOOD-MFA programs.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| STAR-718 | Research Methods and Publication Students will conduct research appropriate for individual thesis directions, incorporate that research into writing, analyze and review their thesis body of work then produce and publish their written thesis document. (Prerequisites: STAR-702 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| STAR-790 | Research and Thesis This is the first of two courses designed to advance a student towards completion of their thesis. Students will work independently on their approved proposal while meeting on a regular basis with their committee chair. Students are required to meet at least twice with their full committee during the semester. (Prerequisites: STAR-702 or equivalent course.) Thesis (Fall). |
3 |
| STAR-890 | Thesis For this final thesis course students continue working with their committee to evaluate work produced, and select the work to be exhibited. In addition, students will work with gallery coordinators and curators to install and exhibit their final body of work. Students are expected to defend their work to the committee through an oral defense and a written document. (Prerequisite: STAR-790 or equivalent course.) Thesis (Spring). |
6 |
Major Studio Courses* |
12 | |
Open Elective |
3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 60 |
|
* Students may choose any combination of the following major studio courses: Painting (PAIT-601), Printmaking (PRNT-601), Sculpture (SCUL-601), or Expanded Forms (SCUL-611).
Professional Electives
| Course | |
|---|---|
| ARTH-600+ | Any ARTH 600 level course or above |
| IDEA-705 | Thinking About Making: The Practice of Art in a Global Society The course seeks to bridge the gap between studio practice and contemporary art history. Course content will explore current work and ask questions about what is art, who is the audience, what is “our” art making practice, and how does that fit within the larger context of the current state of the global art world. How do we measure success and artistic failure? The course emphasizes observation, critical analysis, and written interpretation. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
| STAR-635 | Curating and Managing Art Spaces This course explores the roles of contemporary, traditional, and alternative art spaces through curatorial studies, exhibition evaluation and criticism. Student will consider gallery administration roles and supporting operations, and undertake site visitations and gallery research. Students will organize and install a final exhibition project in an approved exhibition venue. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
| STAR-645 | Art Exhibition Critique This course will explore the role of the art exhibition and its effect on the discourse and practice of art. Course content will focus on: contemporary and historical exhibition studies, individual and group projects. Student will also conduct site visitations and evaluation, and critique work in the context of exhibition. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
| STAR-758 | Studio Art Critique Students will explore the process of critical anaylsis of studio work. Content will focus on the structure and form of the critique process. They will discuss, defend, and interpret existing studio work as they work towards their thesis. Faculty led critiques will include studio visits for in depth analysis of works in progress. (Prerequisites: This course is restricted to students in the FNAS-MFA or GLASS-MFA
or METAL-MFA or CCER-MFA or WOOD-MFA programs.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the MFA program in fine arts studio, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete an online graduate application. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for information on application deadlines, entry terms, and more.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college of fine arts.
- Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Two letters of recommendation are required. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
- Not all programs require the submission of scores from entrance exams (GMAT or GRE). Please refer to the Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements page for more information.
- Submit a portfolio. Refer to Graduate Portfolio Requirements for more information.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for additional information on English requirements. International applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver. Refer to Additional Requirements for International Applicants to review waiver eligibility.
Learn about admissions, cost, and financial aid
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