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Sculpture-Dimensional Studies

The Division of Sculpture/Dimensional Studies at Alfred University fosters progressive creative growth while stimulating innovative technical and conceptual development in each individual student. The diverse faculty aim to foster thoughtful exploration into a wide range of materials and processes that challenge and examine the ever-expanding field of sculpture.

School/Division

School of Art and Design
NYS College of Ceramics

Campus Locations

Main Campus - Alfred, NY

Degrees

Sculpture/ Dimensional Studies (MFA)

Program Contact

Billie Burns

burns@alfred.edu

607-871-2442

Funded

The Sculpture/Dimensional Studies two-year program is highly competitive; five Sculpture/Dimensional Studies students are admitted annually; two of whom work in glass art. Each accepted MFA candidate is given full tuition funding and a financial stipend, either as a teaching assistant or as an intern, within the School of Art and Design program.

Thesis Exhibitions

Each year, candidates of the Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) and Master of Fine Art (MFA) degrees showcase their work in a series of culminating thesis exhibitions.

Thesis Exhibitions MFA Thesis Catalog (Spring 2020)

Nationally Ranked

The MFA program simultaneously prepares graduate students to be both practicing artists and teachers. We are ranked nine among MFA granting schools overall, and our glass art concentration is ranked number three nationally by U.S. News and World Report.

Curriculum

In addition to studio courses, all graduate students take credits in a series of seminars, art history, studio electives and technical courses relevant to their area of study. In the second year, students write a thesis and present an MFA thesis exhibition in the School of Art and Design’s Fosdick-Nelson Gallery, Robert C. Turner Gallery, or an approved alternate site.

The Division of Sculpture/Dimensional Studies at Alfred University supports progressive creative growth and stimulates innovative technical and conceptual development in each individual student. The diverse faculty aim to foster thoughtful exploration into a wide range of materials and processes that challenge and examine the ever-expanding field of sculpture.

A minimum of sixty graduate credit hours is required. Reviews of work are scheduled at midterm and at the end of each semester.

ART or ARTH 500 or higher level Electives*(outside major concentration)
May include ART 501, 550, 500, 535, 587, 590, 601, or other graduate level courses approved by advisor.
ART 522 Advanced Sculpture/Dimensional Studies* (credits per semester, 1st Year)
ART 529 Studio Practice
ART 672 Written Thesis Preparation
ART 682 Thesis* (credits per semester, 2nd Year)
ARTH 561 Viewing Sculpture
ARTH 660 First Year Graduate Seminar
ARTH minimum one Art History/Criticism course

In addition to studio advising and critical reviews of work by the full team of core faculty in Sculpture Dimensional Studies, all graduate students take credits in a series of seminars, art history, studio electives and technical courses relevant to their area of study.

In the second year, students work in seminars and individually with advisors on a written thesis as a supporting document to their MFA thesis exhibition. Thesis exhibitions are in the School of Art and Design’s Fosdick-Nelson Gallery, Robert C. Turner Gallery or an approved alternate site.

Degree requirements include two years of residence and a minimum of sixty graduate credit hours. Critical reviews of studio work and evaluation of progress in the program are scheduled at midterm and the end of each semester.

Applicants for admission should hold the baccalaureate degree with the equivalent of sixty credit hours in studio courses. A portfolio of completed works could be considered the equivalent of some studio courses.

In addition to the transcripts and letters of recommendation required of all students, applicants to the MFA program must present a portfolio showing competency in their art practice. When submitting the portfolio to Slideroom be sure to indicate the program for which you are applying and provide appropriate portfolio.

The School of Art and Design at Alfred University offers graduate study in multiple divisional areas: Ceramic Art, Electronic Integrated Arts, Sculpture/Dimensional Studies (concentration in either glass art or sculpture) and Painting. Applicants should make clear to which MFA program they are applying.

All applications are made through the Graduate Admissions Office and all supporting documents and the portfolio must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office by January 15th of the application year. Only completed applications will be forwarded to the Faculty Review Committee. No applications for January enrollment are considered.

Accepted applicants must make a $200 deposit and return a signed contract as directed in the notification of acceptance or their acceptance becomes void.

In addition to a grant for full tuition waiver for both years of residency in the program, each MFA student in Sculpture Dimensional Studies is guaranteed an assistantship for each semester of the two-year program. Graduate assistantships consist of three types: a teaching assistantship, a teaching internship, and a facilities coordinator. In all cases, the student receives a stipend of $7,000 for the academic year.

Graduate teaching assistants are intended to support the graduate candidate by providing fist-hand experience in academic teaching and experience in the oversight of a large and complex facility. All assistants have a commitment of approximately 10 hours/week to meet the requirements of the stipend. Assignments are made in consultation among faculty, students and division chairs at the beginning of each semester.