Jewelry/Metals MFA's with concentrations in Social Practices and/or MFA in Craft and Applied Design

Lately I've been trying to determine if Grad School is a good option for me as an artist. I believe my work and I would likely benefit from the experience, but putting myself further in debt and possibly relocating for a program that is solely based in conceptual and studio arts doesn't feel like what is best for me.

Many of my values are deeply rooted in social justice, community, feminism and radical politics.  I want to believe that there are programs out there that would combine both my interest in making (jewelry, metalwork, enameling and more) and in living these values in a meaningful way.

In researching a little i have found that there is a joint MFA in Craft and Applied Design with Pacific Northwest College of Art and Oregon College of Arts and Craft that I hope to check out in this Spring of this year.  The only other program i've found is at California College of Art.  They offer an MFA with the options for a concentration in Social Practices.

I guess I am interested in hearing about anyone who has gone through one of these programs, knows of similar programs, or has some insight in the matter?

 

Thanks in advance!

Adriane

Views: 88

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an MFA in 1971.  It was an incredible 2 years and I wouldn't change that.  What I would consider, if I were a budding artist, is business courses.  We make things; that's what we do.  Unless one is independently wealthy and doesn't give a hoot, one will need to sell this stuff to put food on the table, to have a roof, etc. etc.  We might have high artistic goals and aspirations, which is fine, but we actually make products and a bit of business savvy is needed and sorely lacking in artists' training.  It's easy to find a place to teach new techniques and to help you refine your vision.  But as I look back, a wish that I had spent some time/money on the ABC's of business and marketing.  We all gotta eat.  I remember touring a junior college in Hayward NC that had (has) a kick butt craft program and each of their students had to produce a full blown business plan as a graduation requirement.  awesome.  If you feel that you don't need more technique or aesthetic guidance via a structured academic program (MFA track), invest your $$ in some small business education.  Course if you yourself want to go into teaching, that is another source of making a living..........

RSS

Latest Activity

Aleksandra Vali posted a status
"2023 Fortezza da Basso, Florence, Italy"
Sep 19, 2023
Aleksandra Vali and Letitia Pintilie are now friends
Sep 19, 2023
Catherine Marche liked Rebecca Skeels's discussion streamlining our pages
Feb 3, 2021
Jonathan Leo Brown posted a status
"An art deco inspired ocean liner container with multiple containers."
Nov 9, 2020

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

© 2024   Created by Brigitte Martin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service