16 November 2005

MFA Programs in Chicago

This is the time for some to look into/or apply to graduate schools in the Fine Arts(MFA). If any of you are interested in aplying to schools within the city of Chicago, I will list general overview of the school/some opportunities to view current graduate student work and critiques. You can get a chance to see what type of work/artists the schools accept.

Schools:
  • The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

  • Columbia College Chicago

  • The University of Chicago (COVA)

  • University of Illinois at Chicago (School of Art and Design)


  • The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
    -deadline for MFA program January 10
    -one of the top graduate program in the country (in fact it's tied for #1 spot with Yale School of Art)
    -it accepts around 500 students to all of its graduate programs
    -since it's one of the top schools in the country it is quiet selective, and receives lots of applications
    -very important emphasis on one's portfolio, hence make sure your slides are professional
    -it's an art school, hence the environment is very relaxed among the student body, and high emphasis placed upon creativity, and socialisation among the students
    -there are numerous exhibition venues: Gallery 2, Betty Rymer Gallery, 1928 Exhibition space and multpiple student run galleries
    -most of the popular Chicago artists such as Ed Paschke, Carl Wirsum, have attended the school
    -private institution, hence the tuition is expensive

    There were gradaute open studios last week, Friday November 11 5-9PM where you could have had a chance to see current students' works. (sorry i did not post this earlier).However, here are some exhibits featuring student works:
  • November 4 - December 3, 2005
    Course-driven projects, led by SAIC faculty Mary Patten, Ellen Rothenberg and Shawnee Barton
    Opening reception: Friday, November 4 / 6-9 pm

    The Exhibition Studies Space and G2 will host a series of projects derived from current classes led by SAIC faculty Mary Patten (Film Video and New Media’s Video Installation I), Ellen Rothenberg (the Writing Program’s Text off the Page), and Shawnee Barton (the Photo Department’s Humor in Art). In addition to the exhibitions and installations, there will be readings and performances, including Growing Up Mid, a “Dark Night” event presented by current Writing Program grads Manda Aufochs Gillespie and Allison Gruber.

  • December 16, 2005 - January 14, 2006
    Gallery 2
    Mash-Up
    Opening reception: Friday, December 16
    6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

    Work in installation, painting, performance, photography, sculpture, and video by current and recent SAIC students Luke Aleckson, Elizabeth Axtman, Irina Botea, Adam Ekberg, Brad Farwell, Jonathan Gillette, Young Sun Han, Erin Jones, Jenny Kendler, Scott Kildall, and Lilly McElroy.

  • December 16, 2005 - January 14, 2006
    Project Space
    Veiled
    Opening reception: Friday, December 16
    6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

    Work in installation, painting, performance, photography, sculpture, and video by current SAIC graduate students Alessandro Keegan, Andrea Myers, and Sharon Younger.

    Gallery 2
    847 West Jackson Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60607
    Telephone: 312.563-5162
    FAX: 312.563-0510
    Email: saic847@artic.edu

  • Columbia College Chicago
    -deadline for an MFA program March 1
    -another great art school in Chicago
    -lots of emphasis on creativity and a pretty relaxed atmosphere
    -great photogrpahy program
    -located in downtown Chicago
    -has numerous exhbition venues as in the SAIC
    -it offers around 18 masters programs
    -it's a private institution, hence the tuition is not that cheap but less then SAIC

  • The University of Chicago
    -deadline for MFA program December 28
    -a small program that accepts usually only 11 candidates(22 candidates total in the COVA graduate department)
    -part of the U of C, hence, not a mere art school and you will be required to take courses in the college
    -it's a simple MFA interdisciplinary program, it does not have seperate departments for painting, sculpture, etc.
    -it has about 5-6 faculty members
    -there is around 80 applications submitted to this program as it is not very famous
    -private university located in the south side neighborhood -Hyde Park
    -although, the tuition is quiet expensive the university provides a lot of financial aid to its students
    -located in the Midway Studios
    -not very many exhibition venues run by the school (Midway Studios exhibition space is the main space) but students have a chance to exhibit their work in a yearly Festival of the Arts (FOTA) in May, and around campus in coffee shops

    If you are interested in applyng to The Univeristy of Chicago go check out the current work by the MFA students during the critique week.

    MFA critiques
    Monday, December 5th 9:00-3:15
    Tuesday, December 6th 9:00-3:15
    Midway Studios
    6016 S. Ingleside Ave.
    Chicago, IL 60637
    ph: 773-753-4821

    A Website of some of the work by the grad students

  • MFA 2005


  • Univerity of Illinois at Chicago (School of Art and Design)
    -deadline for MFA program:December 15 to be considered for a fellowship, otherwise February 1
    -public university located around Greek town/Tri-Taylor area
    -tuition not very expensive as the school is public
    -the school over the years has improved its MFA program, which is quiet good now
    -it has several exhibition venues, mainly gallery 400
    -located close by the West Loop gallery district

    I will try to update this info as I find more information about these programs.
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