The Master of Fine Art degree in Studio Art is designed to prepare students for careers as independent visual arts through the cultivation and refinement of a successful studio practice. The program emphasizes intensive personal investigation and the development of strong aesthetic and conceptual understanding. In addition to time in their own studio, students have opportunities to enhance existing skills and knowledge by observing undergraduate class demonstrations and critiques.<br><br>Program Learning Outcomes<br><br>Graduates of the program will be able to:<br><br> Demonstrate advanced professional competence in some aspect of studio art as exemplified by considerable depth of knowledge and achievement of a significant body of work.<br> Demonstrate a deep and comprehensive awareness of historical and cultural contents of art production.<br> Demonstrate advanced skills of aesthetic judgement and assessment, as well as integration/synthesis and independent thought.<br> Demonstrate an awareness of contemporary art making and relevant issues through dialogues with professional artists and curators.<br><br>The Painting concentration draws upon contemporary practices and discourse in the field to prepare students for a life in the arts. Students are encouraged to work across disciplines and techniques in order to develop a body of work that reflects their independent investigations in painting. Studio practice is supplemented with art history seminars, visiting artist lectures, summer workshops and travel study programs to New York City, culminating in a solo M.F.A. thesis exhibition.