Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts, M.F.A

MFA Program Curriculum:

Our MFA programs conceptualize a different emphasis in each of the three years of study, and cumulatively train students to be interdisciplinary artists.
Year One focuses on discipline-based work in either book and paper or media, and provides students with a foundation in both professional practices and art theory;   
Year Two is centered on interdisciplinary work through a series of thematic classes, both studio and history/theory, which will include students from across programs.  Second-year students are also required to take a studio practices course composed of students from both MFA programs, which will help them to further develop their body of work within an interdisciplinary atmosphere.
Year Three emphasizes the deepening of a student’s practice and body of work, leading to the creation and exhibition of a thesis project.


The MFA curricula are designed to give students flexibility in creating a program of study that best fits their artistic goals.  To support this we have a rigorous student – adviser relationship.  A typical course of study includes both departmental and area core classes as well as electives.


Department Core:

Art as Discourse: explores the theoretical underpinnings of contemporary art practice.

Art as Practice: students learn about what it means to function as a practicing artist in contemporary culture.

Connected Studio Practices: through bi-weekly critiques, students unify their individual art pieces into a body.

At least two history classes from a series of history classes taught on a rotating basis (e.g., History of Interdisciplinary Arts, History of New Media, History of the Book, Reading the Artists’ Book, 21st Century Aesthetics)

At least two classes chosen from the Graduate Studio and Theory/Practice offerings:

    Graduate Studio Classes:  a series of interdisciplinary studio oriented classes taught on a rotating basis (e.g., Alternative Publication, Artists’ Books/Book Arts, Multiples, Video for Artists and Performers, Visiting Artist Practicum, Visual Environments)

    Theory/Practice:  a series of interdisciplinary seminars offered on a rotating basis.  These classes are concept-based, transcending any one particular medium and allowing students from different disciplines to interact on conceptual ideas and practices.  (e.g., Autobiographical Art, The Body, Performance Aesthetics, Public Art, The Teaching Artist, Visual Language, Visual Narratives)




Discipline based courses:  Each of our two MFA programs – Book & Paper MFA and Interdisciplinary Arts and Media – have discipline based core courses, as well as electives, low credit advanced technical skills classes, and thesis practicums. 

Book & Paper:
Core:  Thinking through Making: Paper/Print/Book
Electives:  Papermaking, Advanced Papermaking, Binding, Advanced  Binding, Print Media, Advanced Print Media, Dimensional Paper
Advanced Technical Skills: Box Making, Digital Cyanotype, Green Paper, Longstitch/Linkstitch, Millimeter Binding, Photomechanical Monster, Pulp Spraying, 2D & 3D, Type Design Workshop 
Thesis

DEPARTMENTAL CONTACT INFORMATION
Department Chair: Michelle Citron
Graduate Contact: Kris Johnson
Office Information: 624 S. Michigan, Room 1100
Phone: 312-369-7669
Email: kjohnson@colum.edu