Hi, everyone!
So I'm new to this process, and I've got a couple questions that I'm struggling to find answers to. I appreciate any advice or feedback to any or all of the questions!
1. I'm graduating this spring with an MFA in Creative Writing, and I also have a Bachelors in English Literature, but I want to pursue an MFA in Visual Arts. I have several professors who would gladly vouch on my behalf, and so all of my recommendations would come from academics still, but none of them are in the art field. How concerned should I be about this? Should I aim to try to find recommenders in the field or stick with what I have?
2. As I have no formal education as such in the visual arts, I'm going to be working to develop a portfolio for graduate programs. I'm interested in painting, and I've been looking at past portfolio examples on the GradCafe forums. I've noticed most of the portfolios seem to consist of art that all follows a similar theme and style (and for the sake of discussing this issue further, I'm going to call this type of series of artwork a concentration and works that veer off the concentration breadth pieces since that's what I seem to remember it being called back from AP Studio Art). How much of the portfolio should consist of concentration versus breadth artwork? I've noticed the guidelines are pretty blurry in regards to graduate portfolios, so I'd appreciate any concrete advice, even if it's just personal opinion!
3. Seeing as I'm turning back to art much later in my formal education studies, should I include my past accolades/accreditations like getting a five in AP Studio Art, attending selective art programs, and winning awards like the Gold Key award back from high school? I've also had other successes in art beyond high school, but I think some of the awards from then also hold some decent weight, and I'm not sure if it's something to mention or not given the time that's passed since then.
4. Finally, I know I am probably disadvantaged due to my lack of a prior art degree. But that being said, it would take a considerably longer time to get both a second Bachelors degree and Masters of Fine Arts degree. So would it be impossible? What can I do to make getting this degree a more realistic endeavour without turning back the clock to get a second Bachelors degree?
Thanks again for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it!