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felixo

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  1. felixo
    I come from a photography background - I even worked as a documentary photographer for some years before deciding to focus on art - I can tell you that 'art' photography and 'documentary' photography can sometimes butt heads and are held in different esteem at different institutions - documentary work isn't always considered 'art' - it's a messy area that remains unresolved and it's good to be aware of this history, especially if you're looking at MFA programs. Still, good work usually transcends. But based on what you're saying, I think you would might entertain looking into photojournalism MA programs in communication colleges in the US - Syracuse, Ohio University, University of Missouri, ICP in NY come to mind. London College of Communications as well. Duke University has an MFA in experimental and documentary arts that is worth looking at, and Ohio U has a new communications MFA as well similar to Duke's in mission it seems - those two programs are unique in terms of MFA that I am aware of. University of Hartford has an MFA low residency that is focused on photo books primarily. The traditional photo MFA programs in the US can be hit or miss when it comes to accepting photojournalism/documentary work as you've described - some tend to be more conceptual - something to be aware of. SVA, SAIC, Yale, Columbia (Chicago) are worth looking at. I'm sure there are others - I know there are some in California (Cal Arts, UCLA?), but those are some of the better known programs in the field on my side of the Mississippi at least. You should find work of photographers that has threads in common with what you want to do and see where they went or where they teach - it might give you an idea of how your ideas may fit. Good luck,
  2.    felixo reacted to a post in a topic: MFA 2017 All Art ADMISSIONS freak-out forum!!!!!!!!
  3. felixo
    I think you need to think hard about how important your art is to you, and if it does have any crossover - will that take the enjoyment out of it or change your relationship to your work. FWIW - I have been fortunate enough to make some semblance of a living purely from my work, but that's because photo has lots of inherently commercial applications. After making work for other people for long enough (while trying to also further develop my own stuff), I realized that no matter how much time I set aside for my own work, the way I thought about it was still impacted by trying to get more commercial work. I've usually been good at compartmentalizing, but there's something to be said for just blocking out the financial aspect of it for a little bit to see what happens. It's why I decided to go back to school - the way I want to explore making work with photographs has little to no value with my typical client base of magazines and companies. Don't get me wrong - I love being able to make a living from making photographs - it's better than lots of other options in so many ways, but at the end of the day it's still a service and a business and it's not art as I think of it, and I still care about making art. I look back and wonder if I'd be a better artist if I hadn't always conflated my medium with trying to get clients from the get go. I'll never know, but I'm going back to try and unlearn some of the business side of things and liberate my work if I can. Now, if you're someone who's passion has immediate commercial applications - that's the sweet spot. If your passion is furniture building or making portrait photographs etc - it can make the whole thing easier and it's just a matter of letting the right people know about the work you're doing. If you don't feel you need the two things an MFA is usually practical for (rapid creative development/professionalization and teaching qualifications), I would question the value of an MFA over, say, living in a vibrant community and just getting studio space and focusing on your practice on your off hours from your other work - or training specifically for the other field you want to combine your art with. You can bring your art practice (without an MFA) into other fields a lot more easily than you can do the opposite. IE if you want to combine your art with psych or medicine you're probably better off trying to study that other specific thing instead, since you already have art making experience.
  4.    felixo reacted to a post in a topic: MFA 2017 All Art ADMISSIONS freak-out forum!!!!!!!!
  5. felixo
    The last part of your comment gives me pause. Sounds like they bought all the right stuff, but the one thing that grad school is intended for you can't buy - and that's an inspiring, challenging atmosphere. Facilities and all that don't matter if you're not being pushed and inspired. Lots of subpar universities have great, modern facilities and yet some of the best ones in the country are perfectly content teaching in the same old classrooms that they've used since forever - but they have the best profs.
  6. felixo
    I'd go to SAIC no question - especially for painting. Unless you're super acclimated to NYC already, Chicago is a better city to actually make work, more manageable, people more approachable, showing work easier etc etc - which is the point of grad school. It sorta depends on your style of work though. At some level schools aren't better, they're just a better fit (or not).
  7. felixo
    This is entirely frustrating - seeing your situation. One thing about grad school is that many administrations are no more professional than anyone else you know. Lots of variables flying around and lots of screw ups every year. Best of luck with it all - one thing that baffles me in general is just the lack of transparency and clear communication. Hopefully they are giving your app the fair shake and consideration it deserves.
  8. felixo
    Your future self will very likely thank you profusely for making a tough but prudent decision that will ultimately give you a better chance to lead a freer and more practice based and self directed lifestyle. Keep trying and be patient for the *right* opportunity.
  9.    felixo reacted to a post in a topic: MFA 2017 All Art ADMISSIONS freak-out forum!!!!!!!!
  10.    esfg1 reacted to a post in a topic: Playwriting MFAs
  11. felixo

    Playwriting MFAs

    felixo replied to dampka's topic in Performing

    I understand this - but I think until facts are known it is best to give institutions the benefit of the doubt. Rejections can't be sent out until all spots are committed to - this often means that the institution will return to the applicant pool repeatedly as their top choices may have committed elsewhere - or, they are waiting, waiting, for their top choices to decide. I think schools could do better to notify applicants of their being waitlisted, however, because that seems to be a very common thing.
  12. felixo
    @Chris Yuda check your PMs
  13. felixo

    Playwriting MFAs

    felixo replied to dampka's topic in Performing

    Not sure if it helps but I know someone who applied for the MFA in directing and they got word of their acceptance about a week ago. Not sure if the channels are similar for the playwriting.
  14. felixo
    Chris, you've gotten some great advice here so far. As someone who is from Chicago and visited many of the interdisciplinary programs mentioned (U of C, Northwestern, UIC) and seeing that you're from NC and have an interest in teaching I feel compelled to mention that you should explore UNC-Chapel Hill as an option. It is small, interdisciplinary, has a specific teaching component, generally well funded and your style of work sounds like it would suit in the mix. It's not a big name art school, but for me, personally, it was the first one I really connected with out of those mentioned (Disclosure - I start in the fall) though U of Chicago in particular I did like - if I had still lived in Chicago that would be my pick.
  15.    felixo reacted to a post in a topic: MFA 2017 All Art ADMISSIONS freak-out forum!!!!!!!!
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  18. felixo
    Work and hope for the best, prepare for the worst - aka 30-50k a year hustling adjunct etc. Estimate what your monthly payments are going to be upon graduation, and then imagine living your life without that money for 10-20 years (whatever your plan is). If you can do that, go for it. If it seems rough....it very well may be. Source - have been paying between 400-800$ a month for about 8 years on my loans (about 60k debt - I pay more when I can afford it) and it very much affects lifestyle. It could be the difference between having a roommate as a 32 y.o. or having your own apt, whatever. It could be what prevents you from accruing enough savings to put down for a house/condo at that age. Not saying I would trade in my education - but...for some perspective. *This assumes no inheritance, SO with main income, support from parents etc. Basically, if you're not on your own financially, the situation could be different of course. In fact, that often IS the difference.
  19. felixo
    I just left (Chicago, not UIC) this past summer, but have some friends that went through that program. They really enjoyed it and made good work. Underrated program IMO, (given the giant of SAIC looming) - I hope you find it rewarding and good luck! If I stayed in Chicago I would go there or U of C (if I had that option of course - I never tried).
  20.    felixo reacted to a post in a topic: MFA 2017 All Art ADMISSIONS freak-out forum!!!!!!!!
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  28. felixo
    Just to reiterate I think that every serious artist on here would do well not to look at a rejection as a value judgement on their work, but rather as an issue of 'fit' - there is no objective measurement for 'good' in art, especially when you get to dedicated, serious practitioners. There is only taste. If you dedicate time and mental energy to your practice you will grow over time. If a school doesn't take you it could be for any number of reasons. It could be demographic. It could be they have enough of your medium addressing this or that issue. It could be they want someone who has a different color palette, simply because someone in the dept. responds to that more for some reason. It could be that your work shows promise, but they want you to have a deeper understanding of why it shows promise first. Keep applying, keep researching a good fit, and keep making art. You will hone your application and your voice as an artist - every application season has the potential to make you a better artist.
  29. felixo
    @meghanmetier I actually believe a lot of schools do this, especially those with smaller class sizes where the numbers matter more - it's sort of the only way to get the most preferred class. Most situations, not all accepted in the first go will commit, and if you're the school you want to keep your options open for round two - it sucks for applicants, but in a lot of cases it means you're not quite out of the game yet. =( @Poodle-Doodle you've killed it - looking forward to seeing what you do. Lots of inspiring work around here in general. Makes me even more grateful that I'm going back to school next year.
  30.    felixo reacted to a post in a topic: MFA 2017 All Art ADMISSIONS freak-out forum!!!!!!!!
  31.    felixo reacted to a post in a topic: MFA 2017 All Art ADMISSIONS freak-out forum!!!!!!!!
  32. felixo
    I don't mean to be negative or discouraging in any way! I mean, I'm on this forum for a reason - I am starting my MFA in the fall, so I believe in it and I believe in making art your work/life and the sacrifices that entails. It's just that some of what you were saying conflicted with some of my experiences and the experiences of many that I know, so it felt important to raise that point for any others who may be weighing various factors. Wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.
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