Get your Master of Fine Arts Near Chicago

Governors State’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Art is a dynamic multidisciplinary terminal studio arts degree designed to further the individual development of artists and to provide them with professional competency in the studio arts. Areas of concentration at GovState include: Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture.

At GovState, areas of study are taught by faculty who are practicing art professionals with a national exhibition record. Together our exceptional Studio and Art History faculty help make GovState one of the most comprehensive, flexible, and affordable studio art programs in the Chicagoland region.

View Art Program Showcase

Reach Your Career Goals

The MFA in Studio Art is a terminal degree that will make you a competitive player within the arts. Your graduate degree will prepare you to pursue a career as a professional artist, arts administrator, museum worker, entrepreneur, or educator.

Delivery Format

Full-time students (9 credits) should expect to spend three academic years to complete the MFA degree (60 credits). A majority of courses are offered to accommodate working students. Part-time enrollment is accepted. The program is based on the individual’s area of interest and undergraduate training and is jointly planned by the student, professional advisor, and a professor who serves as mentor to the student. Students present a solo MFA thesis exhibition at the end of their final year.

Gallery Spaces

Each academic year, the Visual Arts Gallery and on-campus art spaces present over 30 exhibitions; an exhibition schedule that welcomes research projects, experimentation, and diverse topics.

MFA Students Embrace Research Through:

• Regular group trips within Chicagoland to the world’s finest museums and galleries
• MFA Graduate Student Biennial Exhibit
• Yearly Graduate Reviews
• Research Day Presentations
• Dynamic Multimedia Graduate Seminar
• Graduate Assistantships

 

Apply online for MFA: Studio Art

Additional Application Requirements:

• A portfolio of 20 works 
• Letter of intent 
• Resume/CV 
• Transcripts 
• 3 references

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Application Deadlines

Priority Deadline April 1 For Fall admission, October 1 for Spring admission (applications are reviewed as needed outside of the priority deadline). 

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 For more information, please contact: 

MFA Advisor:  Bryce Johnsen bjohnsen2@govst.edu or

MFA Program Coordinator:  Leanne McClurg lmcclurg@govst.edu