[No BFA, but want to pursue an MFA?]

Arte: While I appreciate the suggestion, I'm really not interested in a BFA. I did not say I hadn't painted since high school, only that there were some awards from then, but since, I have still been painting and creating new art. I've also had other more recent accolades, I just wanted to know how far back accolades should go in this type of scenario. If it should be limited to post-secondary, that's fine.

[No BFA, but want to pursue an MFA?]

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!

[Gender trouble as a TA]

On June 24, 2016 at 3:16 PM, Paloma said:

I had the same experience, so I'm always confused when other TAs encounter these problems. Most of my students were no more than 2 or 3 years younger than me when I started as a TA and I'm not particularly tall (5'5"). I dress pretty casually as well (dark jeggings, blouse with cardigan, flats). Students would sometimes ask me about why they received the grades they did and always seemed satisfied with the explanation, even if the grade was poor. 

It could potentially be a body language issue? Ten or so years of martial arts have made me a pretty confident person in the face on conflict. That may cause me to subconsciously assert my authority more in my physical presence than some other women do. Above average height might cause others to do this without trying, as well.

5'5" is actually slightly above average height for women. I know a five inch height difference might not seem like a huge one, but I think being visibly shorter than your students, colleagues, and peers can make someone appear younger or immature.

[Gender trouble as a TA]

With my TA position, my height and gender had posed some major issues. I'm five feet or a little under that and I have a young-looking face. No matter how much I dressed up or tried to look professional, I faced a lot of discrimination against my height and gender. However, not from my students, but rather, from my supervisors.

I was frequently harassed about my looks, told to dress up more (I was already wearing nice skirts, dresses, blouses, etc.) and wear more make-up. No matter how much I look back on the experience, I don't know how much more I could have done to change my physical appearance or act more professional. When it came time for reviews, I was told my work itself was fantastic, but I was warned about my young appearance. I think it really came down to my height, something that prior to my position as a TA, I had never felt all that insecure about.