trouser

Right. I guess that is my question... are galleries/residencies picking up artists without MFAs to a greater or equal degree? I guess there is no real way to know, and I generally hear wildly different answers to that question. I often find folks with MFAs saying that you need one to get anywhere, and folks without (and with no intention of getting one) saying the opposite. MFA aside (the credential itself), I have to imagine the development of your work/thesis will help with getting shows. Obviously that is not true in all cases, and can be done outside of school as well. I like the option of being able to teach in the future. But yea, my main goal is to show (the networking that comes with grad school would be pretty valuable with that, I'd imagine).

Yea... im considering waiting. Your concerns are basically the same as mine. With that said, I live in the bay area and have spoken with a number of alumni and current students who all seem to be very happy with their education... whether that is a bias based on their investment, I dont know . I'm planning on the debt being closer to 80k, but still... thats a ton.

I got accepted to both CCA and SFAI. for an MFA in fine arts / painting. I don't know about my package from SFAI yet, but CCA is giving me a needs based scholarship of roughly 10k per year. (two year program). CCA is my first choice, but I am having a hell of a time determining if its worth it to pay $31k a year in tuition. plus all my living expenses. I currently work as a freelance designer/illustrator and am able to spend about half my week painting and working on my art practice. My worry is that being saddled with debt will actually take me back a step in that regard. I know the experience will be invaluable, and my work will be better for it, and the networking will be stellar, but damn... thats a lot of debt. I'm getting cold feet. Any thoughts?