Apply for a Fully Funded MFA Program at the University at Buffalo

# University at Buffalo’s MFA in Studio Art: A Pathway to Artistic Excellence

The **University at Buffalo (UB)**, a prestigious R1-designated research university, located in the culturally vibrant city of Buffalo, New York, is inviting applications for its **Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Art** program. This highly interdisciplinary and contemporary program is designed to cultivate an environment that pushes creative boundaries and fosters critical artistic exploration.

## Program Overview: A Two-Year Journey of Creative Immersion

The **MFA in Studio Art** at UB is a rigorous two-year program intended for artists who wish to challenge themselves within the realms of art, theory, and research. Here, students not only benefit from dedicated instruction but also have the opportunity to interact with talented faculty, visiting artists, and curators. The program emphasizes a dynamic engagement with both the university’s wider professional arts community and the greater Buffalo cultural scene.

Students in the program experience a well-rounded artistic education that blends **independent studio practice** with group-focused activities like **thematic labs, research arenas, academic electives, seminars, studio visits, critiques**, and **exhibitions**. MFA candidates are continuously encouraged to push the boundaries of their practice while engaging with a diverse academic and artistic curriculum.

Graduates from UB’s MFA in Studio Art program frequently go on to establish **internationally celebrated careers** in the world of contemporary art, curatorial practice, arts education, and more.

## An Interdisciplinary Research-Based Environment

Part of the program’s strength lies in its interdisciplinary nature. As an **R1-designated** research institution, UB offers students the opportunity to tap into a wide range of knowledge resources across departments within the university, including **Media Study** and **Theatre and Dance**. This transdisciplinary collaboration enriches the students’ artistic inquiry and encourages them to challenge existing frameworks in their creative practices.

The **curriculum** fosters creativity, independence, and intellectual engagement. Central to the program is the thesis development process, wherein each student works closely with a hand-selected **thesis committee** composed of full-time faculty members. Guided by their mentors, students engage in rigorous conceptual experimentation, critical thinking, and self-directed production, leading to a public exhibition as the program’s culminating project.

## Financial Support and Professional Development Opportunities

One of the distinguishing features of UB’s MFA in Studio Art program is its commitment to **fully funded teaching appointments**, which provide students practical experience in teaching undergraduate art courses. Alongside the teaching experience, the program also provides **full-tuition scholarships** for MFA students, as well as comprehensive health insurance. These funding options help alleviate financial concerns, allowing students to fully focus on their studies and practice.

Moreover, additional financial support and professional development is available through the **Schomburg Fellowship Program**, which has a deadline for application on **December 9, 2024**. This fellowship offers further opportunities to support underrepresented students in their academic journey.

## State-of-the-Art Facilities to Support Your Creative Vision

Each MFA student is provided with a **spacious individual studio** that serves as a base for their creative production. UB’s Department of Art offers access to a wide range of **state-of-the-art facilities**, equipped for both **manual and digital fabrication**. The comprehensive resources available include but are not limited to:

– **Photography facilities**, including black-and-white and color processing labs.
– **Print media equipment**, providing students the tools necessary to experiment with varied printmaking techniques.
– **Audio production gear** for students interested in sound-based or interdisciplinary explorations.

Further enriching artist practices, students also benefit from access to centers such as **Coalesce: Center for Biological Arts**, a lab that merges art and science, and **The Project Space**, an experimental exhibition venue where artists can test and refine their work in a public setting.

## A Stellar Faculty to Guide Your Growth

UB’s Department of Art boasts a distinguished roster of **full-time faculty**, who are not only accomplished in their own artistic careers but are also dedicated mentors to MFA students. Among them are **Marc Böhlen, Becky Brown, Noah Breuer, Crystal Z. Campbell, Millie Chen, Kelly Myers-Chunco, Maximilian Goldfarb, Berin Golonu, George Afedzi Hughes, Matt Kenyon, Joan Linder, Julia Lillie, John Opera, Abdi Osman, Reinhard Reitzenstein, Stephanie Rothenberg, Theo Triandos, Victoria Udondian**, and **Paul Vanouse**. Their varied media expertise, research interests, and innovative approaches serve to inspire and inform students’ diverse inquiries and trajectories.

## Application Process and Deadlines

If you are driven by a passion for interdisciplinary practices, intellectual exploration, and creative experimentation, consider applying for UB’s MFA in Studio Art program. Deadlines for the program are as follows:

– **Schomburg Fellowship Program**: December 9, 2024