The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in the School of Art is a two-year studio program that welcomes and supports all forms of contemporary art practice and research. While there are faculty with areas of specialization that include two-dimensional work (painting, drawing, printmaking), object-making (sculpture, installation, ceramic sculpture), and electronic media (photography, video, animation, web-based art), many of us also have extensive experience in conceptual art, performance, sound, social practices, public art, and art writing. Many of our MFA students use the university's resources to develop multi-disciplinary practices that take advantage of different equipment and expertise across campus. The primary goals of our MFA include developing studio work that is groundbreaking for each student, building innovative research frameworks for art practices, advancing conceptual and technical skills, learning how to teach effectively, and developing lasting professional connections within the city and region.
The program is housed in exceptional facilities that include individual workspaces for graduate students in a dedicated building. In the nearby College of DAAP, there are studios for etching, lithography, relief printing, silkscreen, ceramics, metal fabrication, metal casting, sculpture, woodworking, rapid prototyping, digital printing, darkroom work, electronic art, sound, video, drawing, and painting. In addition, the University's 1819 Innovation Hub Makerspace + Microfactory has an advanced array of equipment including high-performing 3D printers, laser cutters, a CNC router, and a waterjet cutter. The Digital Futures complex houses the Motion Capture Lab, the Strange Tools Lab, the Institute for Research Sensing, and the NFT Lab, amongst many other resources. Four galleries are connected to the school and college to showcase artwork by students, faculty, and visiting artists, and many students get involved with local galleries and artist-run spaces to exhibit, curate, and intern. Our MFA program is active in connecting students to local artists, curators, and collectors.
Scholarships, graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, travel fellowships, and research grants are available. The School of Art sustains an active visiting artist program and offers additional programs/courses in critical theory, art history & museum studies, art education, public art & placemaking, and professional practice. Cincinnati's dynamic art community and institutions such as the Contemporary Arts Center, the Cincinnati Art Museum, and Wave Pool Gallery offer many other resources and opportunities for students.