February 6, 2010
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February 6, 2010
Research and Creative Practice
<p><strong>Integrative Studies/Critical Theory</strong></p> <p class="text5">The integrative study of theory and criticism in conjunction with artistic production provides an essential part of the graduate program. To introduce ways of considering art in relationship to contemporary existence, all graduate students yearly take a minimum of one to two seminars in theory and critical studies. Study of primary texts provides an in-depth look at contemporary media and art discourse framed through a wide range of theoretical approaches: formalism, structuralism, phenomenology, psychoanalysis, Marxism, gender and queer studies, post-structuralism, deconstruction, issues of authorship, narratology, postcolonial theory and multiculturalism. In addition to the theory and criticism offerings within the Department of Art, students have access to course offerings throughout the university in related areas of study. These include challenging courses in the study of the History of Art and Architecture, Women's Studies, Film Studies, Music, Sociology, Philosophy, Global Studies, Ethnic Studies, Comparative Literature, and other areas of interest.</p> <p class="text5"><strong>Digital Media</strong></p> <p class="text5">Digital media arts emphasizes a strong transdisciplinary approach in Arts, Science and Technology collaborative research. Faculty in the Department of Art's Digital Media area hold joint and affiliate appointments with <a href="https://www.mat.ucsb.edu/">The Media Arts & Technology graduate program</a> in Visual/Spatial Arts (MAT). In addition to being linked to MAT's affiliated faculty in Engineering, Computer Science and Music, the Department of Art is also collaborating with the English Department's Digital Cultures' and Transcriptions graduate research areas. The Digital Media area promotes the integration of theory and practice as a foundation for artistic research. This includes a meta-level analysis of digital media technologies; advanced skills in technological processes; a focus on the technological process as a source for research; digital media as a cultural practice; transdisciplinarity and hybridization. The area currently includes faculty engaged with specialization in networks, motion sensing and algorithmic visualization, transarchitecture and telecommunications, complex systems and systems theory, space art and related fields, tactical media practices, and interdisciplinary performance. Courses cover a range of topics from interactive installations to database aesthetics, networks & distributed systems, virtual and mixed realities, immersive environments, motion capture and sensing, telecommunications, digital sculpture, robotics, algorithmic aesthetics, visualization, tactical media and media theory, sensor/data fusion, and space art.</p><p><strong>Digital Intermedia</strong><br /><br />As defined by an emphasis on digital imagemaking, cross-disciplinary studies in digital and hybrid media enjoy a dedicated computer lab (the mStudio) and affiliated courses throughout the department. Incorporating concerns of traditional areas of practice - photography, print, painting and drawing, in addition to video and animation (see below), digital intermedia uses digital and traditional means and attendant theory in the production of innovative projects for, or on, surfaces, including stand-alone images, installation, projection and display, print and electronic publishing.</p><p class="text5"><strong>Print And Book Arts</strong></p> <p class="text5">Print provides an analysis of historic and contemporary uses of printing technologies and its diverse manifestations and forms of production from intaglio, lithographic and silkscreen printing to offset and digitally produced forms made for varied surfaces and purposes. This includes a concern for the individual print, the sequential use of pictorial information, typography, the combinations of image and text, the book as an expressive and informational vehicle, digital publications, printing and threedimensional forms, and accretive processes available for heterogenous formats. As one of the few university art programs in the country with an emphasis on issues specific to Book Arts, and with one of the best equipped hand papermaking labs on the West Coast, the concentration in Book Arts in the Department of Art and the College of Creative Studies encourages the exploration of graphic representation, understanding media and expanding the field of related knowledge.</p> <p class="text5"><strong>Painting And Drawing</strong></p> <p class="text5">At the graduate level, painting and drawing are investigated and practiced in relation to the philosophic and technical aspects of the medium as well as through a thorough knowledge of the many ways in which they have been considered and practiced, both recently and historically. Exploration of these mediums in relation to theoretical and cross-disciplinary practices is therefore encouraged to enable students to understand and expand the definition of painting and drawing production in relation to other media, contemporary visual culture and its attendant discourse.</p> <p class="text5"><strong>Spatial Arts</strong></p> <p class="text5">The spatial arts area supports advanced research, production and critical analysis in the expanding field of sculpture and related productions in space. The curriculum is designed to encourage the student's individual development and awareness of conceptual and aesthetic issues of historic and contemporary relevance to the practice of working with three-dimensional forms within specific contexts. Special topic seminars address ongoing debates in contemporary art and theoretical practice as related to the study of space. Topics for investigation extend to: site-specificity, installation, intermedia and team collaboration, rapid prototyping technologies, immersive environments, architecture and a critical examination of public art and public spaces.</p> <p class="text5"><strong>Photography</strong></p> <p class="text5">The program in photography promotes a strong conceptual and experimental approach to image generation. Photography is analyzed historically as a material technology in its vast role as a medium of reproduction and documentation. The integral relationship photography has to emergent digital technologies is also a signficant part of the discourse. Students are encouraged to engage photography in conjunction with other contemporary uses of media, including installation, assemblage, painting, performance, print, video and immersive digital environments.</p><p><strong>Video and Animation</strong></p><p class="text5">The multiple uses and applications of video and animation as a medium are explored in relationship to its contemporary and historic forms. This includes the applied use of video technology and software as an intimate probe for auto-investigation, documentary, and for experimental innovation. The function of video and animation as a medium for exhibition and its multiple forms of tele-visual presentations such as multi-screen environments, public screens, mobile display, installation, and projection of all kinds are also explored. Critical study of the video medium's relationship to film, television, and other cultural production encourages student practice and engagement within a larger social dynamic, including domestic/global politics and popular culture.<br /><br /><strong>Performative Studies</strong></p> <p class="text5">This area encompasses processes of performance which range from publicly spoken words to private operations and larger scale theater/performance intersections. An exploration of the expanded meaning of what is performed and the diverse possibilities of presentation and diffusion are engaged, which include investigations into the production and perception of electronically transmitted streams of material, combinatory uses of media and virtual and physical forms of engagement.</p>
February 6, 2010
Graduate Application Procedures
<p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;"><strong>Application Procedure for Fall 2013 Admission</strong> </span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">Students pursuing graduate study should have an undergraduate degree with some emphasis in visual studies, however, a significant criterion for eligibility is based on portfolio review of creative activity, which may include a wide range of study such as theory/criticism, film studies, performance, design, architecture and media studies. Graduate students are given the opportunity to cultivate their teaching experience at the college level through the department's Teaching Assistantship award program, preparing them for appropriate teaching careers in college art programs. Please note that formal curriculum in teaching as a career, especially for training at the secondary (high school) level, is not emphasized. Students wishing to pursue teaching as a career should consult the department's graduate advisor for assistance in planning an appropriate course of study. It is recommended that applicants visit the campus and meet with faculty in their areas of interest.</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;"><strong>To apply to the Department of Art graduate program:</strong></span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">There are two stages of application, the campus application via UCSB Online Graduate application, and the Portfolio and related statements/cv submission through Slideroom.</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">* Fill out a UCSB Online Graduate application at: <a href="https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp/"><span style="color: #000099;">https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp</span></a></span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">Online application is available now. Final deadline to complete the application is Monday, December 17, 2012 (by Midnight PST). We recommend that you start your Online Graduate Application well in advance to complete a letter of recommendation section so that your recommenders will be notified via email.</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">Note: Fall admission only; paper applications no longer available</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">* Three letters of recommendation are required. Please note that all letters of recommendation should be submitted online through the Online Graduate Application as well as uploaded with your portfolio materials through Slideroom. <strong>Please notify your recommenders that the letters MUST be submitted by no later than Monday, December 17, 2012.</strong></span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">* For information on completing UCSB application, see: <a href="https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/admissions/application"><span style="color: #000099;">https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/admissions/application</span></a></span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">There is an application fee that must be paid online at the time of application with credit card (Visa or Master) or a check must be mailed to the Graduate Division. Please do <strong>NOT</strong> send your check to the Department of Art.</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">* Submit your portfolio via Slideroom (see below).</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">* Mail two copies of ALL post-secondary official transcripts to the Department of Art. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted online through the Online Graduate Application and to Slideroom.</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">The Department of Art does NOT require the GRE, however, it does require a Bachelor's Degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The official TOEFL or IELTS score is required for International students.</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">Note: Applicants who have earned Liberal Arts degrees or students with non-traditional backgrounds are also considered on a case-by-case basis.</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;"><strong>Portfolio Submission:</strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;"><span style="color: #333333;">Your portfolio, statements, and </span><span style="color: black;">a </span>curriculum vitae,<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;">are submitted through an easy to use on-line service called Slideroom. Applicants will be going to <a href="https://ucsb.slideroom.com/"><span style="color: #20486f; text-decoration: none;">https://ucsb.slideroom.com</span></a> to upload their online portfolio materials and related documents via secure server. See Portfolio Guidelines below for details and specifications. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;"><span style="color: #333333;"></span></span><strong style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Portfolio Guidelines:</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; color: black; font-size: 13;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FIRST</span> Prepare and gather your materials needed to apply:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; color: black; font-size: 13;">1. Portfolio: 10-20 (20 is recommended) images and/or video and/or audio files; including title, date, dimensions, media, and short descriptions of portfolio pieces. You may include pdf documents if needed; for example, that may contain url for web network specific projects (<span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> personal web sites).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: helvetica; color: black; font-size: 13px;">Image guidelines: (jpg, gif, png) up to 5 MB each (The optimal size for good image quality and fast upload is a maximum of 1280 x 1280 pixels @ 72 dpi. Scalable thumbnails will automatically be generated from image uploads.) </span></em></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: helvetica; color: black; font-size: 13px;">Video guidelines: (mov, wmv, flv, mp4) up to 60 MB each, 10 minutes total. </span></em></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: helvetica; color: black; font-size: 13px;">Audio guidelines: (mp3 files) up to 30 MB each, 5 minutes total</span></em></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: helvetica; color: black; font-size: 13px;">Documents (pdf) up to 10 MB each.</span></em></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; color: black; font-size: 13;">2. A âStatement of Purposeâ (pdf): a 1-2 page statement that expounds descriptively, philosophically and theoretically on your practice, outlining your conceptual and aesthetic approaches, influences, interests and goals for your time in the MFA program and beyond.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;"><span style="color: black;">3. A </span>curriculum vitae<span style="color: black;"> (pdf).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; color: black; font-size: 13;">4. A âPersonal Achievements and Contributionsâ statement (pdf).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;"><span style="color: black;">5. </span><span style="color: #262626;">You will need a credit card to pay the submission fee of $10.00.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">* You will need to be able to make a PDF documents, which is easily done on Apple computers by saving Word or Text Edit documents as a âPDFâ. If you are using a Windows computer and do not have Adobe Acrobat, you can download a free PDF Windows utility here: </span><span style="color: #00ccff; background-color: #ffffff;"><a href="https://media.arts.ucsb.edu/tools/PDFCreatorWebSetup.exe">https://media.arts.ucsb.edu/tools/PDFCreatorWebSetup.exe</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; color: black; font-size: 13;">After installation, the utility creates a PDF printer- you simply print to that and it creates a PDF document. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; color: black; font-size: 13;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">SECOND</span> Apply on-line: <br /><br />Step 1- Sign up for a new account at https://ucsb.slideroom.com/, and follow the instructions to start a new submission.<br /><br />Step 2- Graduate Application: Input your information.<br /><br />Step 3- References: Input the contact information for your 3 letters of reference/recommendation writers. The letter writers will be contacted to upload their letters.<br /><br />Step 4- Add Media: Follow the instructions to upload your Portfolio files and pdf's of your curriculum vitae, 'Statement of Purpose', and âPersonal Achievements and Contributionsâ statement on the âAdd Mediaâ page. After uploading your files, add title, year, dimension, media, and description information in step 2 on the Upload Media tab.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; color: #262626; font-size: 13;">Step 5- Complete Submission: Proceed to submission payment- there is a $10 fee to apply, the fee goes directly to the Slideroom licensing program, the school does not receive any money.</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;"><span style="color: #262626;">You can make changes to selections, or save changes and return to or delete your pending submission, any time before the deadline. After the deadline your access will be closed. </span><strong> </strong></span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;"><strong>Application Deadline:</strong> </span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">Online application must be completed and an application fee must be paid by 10pm (PST) on December 17, 2012.</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">All transcripts must be post marked no later than December 17, 2012 <strong>AND</strong> arrive no later than December 21, 2012 by 4pm PST. </span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">Your transcript materials should be mailed to:</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">Graduate Review Committee<br />Department of Art<br />University of California, Santa Barbara<br />Bldg. 434, Room 123<br />Santa Barbara, CA 93106-7120</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">Departmental 4 digit code is 7120. </span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;"><strong>Admissions Statistics:</strong></span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">Average size of ongoing class: 12-20<br />Number new students admitted yearly: ~10<br />Number yearly applicants: 90-100</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">For more information regarding our MFA program, please call:</span></p> <p class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13;">Department of Art<br />Phone: (805) 893-8710<br />Fax: (805) 893-7117</span></p>
February 6, 2010
Graduate Academic Resources
<p>In addition to the extensive access to department and university facilities, the Department of Art provides each graduate student with 24-hour access to a spacious private studio for their two-year period of research. The intimate graduate studio community, comprised of 16-20 students each year, is a vital component of the program, providing an active environment for discourse and interchange among students and their peers.<br /> <br /> The department maintains specialized studio facilities and equipment for experimentation in a range of media. Studio facilities include a woodshop, metalworks foundry, as well as print, paper-making and chemical-based photography labs. The department also has a comprehensive wing for digital media studies to include a range of research in digital photography, digital video, web interface design, with a specialization in interactive digital environments, a hardware, telecommunications and networks lab.<br /> <br /> Accessible to graduate students are campus state-of-the-art production and fabrication labs such as the Kerr Hall Instructional Development Center for Media Production, the Physics, Engineering and Geology machine shops for consultation and fabrication.<br /> <br /> Departmental resources also include a department-sponsored exhibition space, <a href="/facilities/gallery479">Gallery 479</a>, the recently renovated Old Gym project space, featuring weekly exhibitions by undergraduate and graduate students. Two additional on-campus exhibition venues, The College of Creative Studies Gallery and the University Art Museum (UAM) offer exposure to a range of exhibition programming. The UAM presents major traveling exhibitions and houses a permanent collection for research and presentation purposes. Students are encouraged to explore the possibilities for experimentation given the diverse resources available in a university setting as well as the urban opportunities presented in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Francisco.<br /> <br /> <strong>Department and Academic Affiliations</strong></p> <p class="text5">The Department is closely linked with the UCSB Interdisciplinary Humanities Center (IHC) and the University Art Museum whereby strong collaborations take place in programming and curricular initiatives, bringing distinguished practitioners to campus to participate in exchange forums such as exhibitions, symposia and lecture series.</p> <p class="text5">The department's joint affiliation with the Media Arts and Technology Program (MAT) expands the department's digital media studies to include interface with cross-campus interdisciplinary programming between the humanities, engineering and computer sciences.<br /> <br /> The Department of Art is also affiliated with the College of Creative Studies, a small experimental college designed to allow students to rigorously explore a field of knowledge, rather than merely expose them to a predetermined quantity of fixed subject matter. Graduate students are encouraged to take special topic and interdisciplinary coursework offered in it.<br /> <br /> The Department of Art co-sponsors with the College of Creative Studies the Visual Arts Symposium, which brings prominent artists to campus for public lectures and studio visits with graduate students. The UCSB Arts and Lectures program brings internationally recognized artists and performers to campus through its lecture presentations, poetry readings, performances and film screenings.<br /> <br /> Students also have an opportunity to participate in the Intercampus Exchange Program for Graduate Students (IEPGS). This program is designed to provide access to courses at other UC campuses not ordinarily available at UCSB. Approvals are required from the Department Chairs and the Graduate Deans on both campuses. IEPGS applications are available on the Graduate Division website.<br /> <br /> <strong>UCSB Research Resources</strong></p> <p class="text5">Arts Library: houses one of the most important collections of exhibition catalogues in the country. It also hosts an artists' books collection, with works of Ed Ruscha, Laurie Anderson, Adrian Piper and others.<br /> <br /> The Architecture & Design Collection in the University Art Museum: a growing repository of architectural records containing over 400,000 original drawings as well as specifications, manuscript material, historic photographs, architectural models and furniture. Included in its holdings are the papers of Rudolph M. Schindler, Gregory Ain, Albert Frey, Kem Weber, Irving J. Gill and Cliff May. Additionally, the collection's importance derives from its interest in documenting work originally considered to be outside the mainstream of the modern movement.<br /> <br /> The Image Resource Center (formerly the Visual Resources Collection) consists of over 70,000 digital images and approximately 300,000 35mm slides, which provide comprehensive coverage of Western and non-Western art and architecture. The IRC catalogue contains images from both the IRC's own collection as well as images and data from the Archivision digital image library and several other UCSB image collections. Digital assets are available for searching and download to registered users: <a href="https://www.vrc.arthistory.ucsb.edu" target="_blank">https://www.vrc.arthistory.ucsb.edu</a>. The IRC staff can provide assistance with access to the various licensed and free digital image archives available, such as ARTstor, and can assist with implementation of new image technology in teaching.</p> <p class="text5">Map and Imagery Laboratory: advances the interdisciplinary use of spatial data and provides technologies for integrating diverse information formats. The facility is nationally recognized for the quantity of spatial data it holds and the availability of equipment for utilizing both analog and digital materials.<br /> <br /> The California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives (CEMA): a permanent program that advances scholarship in ethnic studies through its varied collections of primary research materials. These unique collections document the lives and activities of African Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans, Chicanos/Latinos, and Native Americans in California.<br /> <br /> Historical Sound Recordings: holds over 250,000 audio recordings in a variety of formats. Many of these recordings are unique while many more are commercially issued 78 rpm and cylinder recordings.<br /> <br /> Other relevant Library special collections include: African American Collections, Asian American Collections, Chicano/Latino Collections, Circus Collections, Environmental Studies Collections, Film and Television Collections, Humanistic Psychology Collections, Music Collections, Native American Collections, Printing and Presses Collections, Religions (American) Collections, Theater Collections, Trade Catalogs and Visual Arts Collections.<br /> <br /> UCSB Arts & Lectures brings international performances, films, lectures and special events featuring artists, scholars and professionals of all disciplines to the campus. The program also sponsors an Artists-in-Residence series that provides master classes, symposia and classroom engagement with invited professionals from around the world.<br /> <br /> UCSB has been designated as the future home site for the California Nanosystems Institute, currently under construction and projected to open in 2006. Also part of the campus arts plan is the construction of a the Center for Film and Television, which will house the Department of Film Studies and the School of Communications. This facility will maintain state-of-the-art, media research labs and a multi-seat theatre complex for presentations and screenings.</p>
February 6, 2010
Graduate Letter of Recommendation
<p>This is a guideline for current and former UCSB Department of Art students requesting a letter of recommendation from the UCSB Art Department Faculty. This is NOT a letter of recommendation guideline for the application to our programs.</p> <p class="text5">1. Students should only approach faculty for letters if they have taken a minimum of TWO courses or independent studies (or combination thereof) with them.</p> <p class="text5">2. Students must inform faculty of the specific classes they have taken with them and send work examples (either artworks or written essays).</p> <p class="text5">3. Students must give faculty one month in advance or a minimum of TWO WEEKS notice for all letters.</p> <p class="text5">4. List all the schools you will apply for, with address, search committee chair name, deadlines. The clearer this is laid out, the better your chances of getting the letters there on time, and your referee will be happier too.</p> <p class="text5">5. Supply envelopes, stamps, the particulars of the job/ program if applicable. Tell the referee what youâd like stressed if appropriate.</p> <p class="text5">6. Follow up (essential) â make sure the letters went out on time.</p> <p class="text5">7. Contacts from other schools are good recommendations to have, very often, because it attests to the fact that youâre already âknownâ outside the confines of the campus. Begin developing these early so you can have a range of recommendations. ALSO â try not to ârepeatâ a recommendation (if one referee is known for something another is also known for â methodologically, same specific area of research, youâre really not getting two perspectives from a search committeeâs point of view.).</p> <p class="text5"> </p>
February 6, 2010
Graduate Handbook
<p><strong>Requires a PDF reader.</strong></p>
February 6, 2010
Graduate Information
<p class="text5"> </p><p class="text5">The Department of Art two-year MFA program provides graduate students with the opportunity to explore studio production and theoretical work in a flexible structure that encourages individual development within an interdisciplinary context. The department stresses the importance of a rigorous understanding of the conditions in which art is produced. Students are exposed to methodologies of inquiry that foster innovative and problem-solving skills necessary for artistic development and creative production.</p><p class="text5">Students are given the opportunity to work one-on-one with our accomplished faculty who are actively engaged in a range of disciplines and areas that include art and cultural theory, art history, film, video, architecture, digital media, print media, photography, performative studies, painting, spatial arts and related fields in the Humanities, Sciences and Engineering. The program provides graduate students with direct exposure to visiting professional artists for individual studio critiques in conjunction with an intensive curriculum which includes theory, studio critique seminars, professionalism, a range of directed media research courses, and the department's visiting artist lecture colloquium. In addition, UCSB is the home of the University of California Institute for Research in the Arts (UCIRA), the University of California systemwide acclaimed innovator for the arts (https://www.ucira.ucsb.edu).</p><p class="text5">Each year, one graduating MFA student is selected by our faculty as the College of Creative Studies Teaching Fellow for one year. This honor includes teaching 3 courses, studio space, and access to the Department laboratories.</p><p class="text5">The department wishes to attract motivated students who will benefit from interaction with a diverse and challenging faculty. The environment offers focused research in a compelling natural setting while gaining exposure to the opportunities presented in the urban centers of Los Angeles and San Francisco.</p><div><img src="https://i.imgur.com/E9XSSKP.jpg" alt="" /></div><p> </p>
February 6, 2010
Graduate Requirements
<p>Applicants are required to hold an undergraduate degree with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. A research emphasis in visual studies is recommended. Applicants with degrees outside the visual arts or non-traditional backgrounds may be eligible if their application shows promise and relevance to the current research environment, which includes digital media interdisciplinary laboratories. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.</p> <p class="text5">The selection of candidates is based on their potential for growth and deeper development indicated by the strength of their submitted materials, which can reflect a wide range of practices. The overall assessment of the individual candidate is based on their complete profile, an aptitude for intensive investigation and suitability to the interdisciplinary focus of this particular program. Qualification is determined on a case-by-case basis. Finalists will be interviewed by a committee of faculty to gain a more thorough understanding of the candidate and their research interests.</p> <p class="text5">Following their first year of study, graduate students are required to formulate their graduate thesis committee, comprised of 3 to 5 members from the Department of Art and university faculty. This committee oversees the completion of the final graduate thesis project as well as the written thesis, which is a required document for each student as part of his or her fulfillment of an MFA degree.</p> <p class="text5">The body of research within the program may reflect a wide range of creative practices, including writing, theory/criticism, art history, film studies, digital media, performance, design, architecture and media studies.</p> <p class="text5">It is advised that anyone interested in graduate studies in the Department of Art should investigate the program thoroughly before applying. Communication by e-mail to the graduate advisors and individual faculty prior to the application process is recommended. The department welcomes any potential candidates to tour those facilities and campus resources that may be an integral part of their graduate experience at UCSB.</p>
February 6, 2010