Interdisciplinary Arts and Media, M.F.A.
Interdisciplinary Arts and Media, M.F.A.
The M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts and Media explores contemporary forms and practices involved in the fine and performing arts. The studio and media core courses are designed to immerse students in an environment that stimulates them to understand and use emerging technology with personal vision and voice. Each course is oriented around content, interweaving critical thinking, invention and technique.
Access to affordable technology is stimulating artists to incorporate new media forms into an increasingly diverse array of work. Media elements can be integral components of installation or performance work, or can be used to creatively document more ephemeral art forms. In this program, students engage the media arts with a humanist focus, preparing for careers in fine and performing arts, the media industry and academia.
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.
Interdisciplinary Arts and Media:
Core: Media Performance, Screen Media, Space and Place
Electives: Advanced Screen Media, Interactive Media, Net Art, Fictional Documentary, Interactivity and Animation, Sound as Art Material
Advanced Technical Skills: Advanced Graphics: Image, Time, Motion, Advanced Interactivity, Advanced Video Editing for Artists, Advanced Interactive Practicum, Performing in Artificial Space
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
Access to affordable technology is stimulating artists to incorporate new media forms into an increasingly diverse array of work. Media elements can be integral components of installation or performance work, or can be used to creatively document more ephemeral art forms. In this program, students engage the media arts with a humanist focus, preparing for careers in fine and performing arts, the media industry and academia.
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.
Interdisciplinary Arts and Media:
Core: Media Performance, Screen Media, Space and Place
Electives: Advanced Screen Media, Interactive Media, Net Art, Fictional Documentary, Interactivity and Animation, Sound as Art Material
Advanced Technical Skills: Advanced Graphics: Image, Time, Motion, Advanced Interactivity, Advanced Video Editing for Artists, Advanced Interactive Practicum, Performing in Artificial Space
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