Jump to content

cixelated

Members
  • Posts

    18
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Reputation Activity

  1. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from Lucymn22 in Skowhegan 2022   
    Holy shit I got in!
    Right out of grad school!
  2. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from nycart88 in Skowhegan 2022   
    Holy shit I got in!
    Right out of grad school!
  3. Upvote
    cixelated reacted to nycart88 in Skowhegan 2022   
    I imagine it can't be too much longer. It's almost May.
  4. Upvote
    cixelated reacted to firstofthemonth in Skowhegan 2022   
    All good over here! feeling fine!
    Chilling.

  5. Like
    cixelated reacted to SocialKonstruct in Want an MFA in Art? 10 Pieces of Advice on Applying   
    Hey carryover & others,
     
    I think these points are excellent, but I want to add my take as both an MFA graduate and now the Grad Coordinator for CU Boulder. I'll keep your headings and just add my thoughts as follows:
     
    #1)  The best MFA is no MFA.  
    It is true you don't need an MFA to be an artist, but it depends on what you are trying to get out of an MFA if it is a worthwhile investment. Most institutions and some private high schools insist you need an MFA to teach. Yet, not everyone is interested in teaching. You may also be interested in the resources the school provides, such as the opportunity to experiment with equipment, space, and faculty mentorship. For example - pre grad school, I wanted to experiment with three channel video projections. This was not affordable as an "experiment" on my own, nor was I sure I wanted to stick with that as an art form. Our Film Studies MFA has equipment beyond your wildest dreams, that an individual just does not have access to typically.  I'm also seeing seasoned artists come back for MFAs because they are hitting road blocks for the MFA requirement to get a job. I think knowing yourself, what your personal goals are, and being certain about what resources and guidance you need is important. An MFA is definitely not the only answer or the right fit for everyone. 
     
    #2)  Experience the Real World First.  
    Not having time in-between is not a deal-breaker. However, taking time off allows you to work and save money for the transition to grad school, reflect on why you are absolutely sure that is what you want to do, and build a body of work to apply with. Let's face it - most of us don't graduate undergrad with a competitive portfolio that reflects a cohesive body of work. If you do - great! But most people change when they have absolute freedom outside the institution, and it helps your work to see your personal voice form when you are making work on your own. I do think you learn a lot from knowing how the art world works, and bringing in your own connections and working knowledge. You also develop a "cohort" with your peers and ideally leverage your connections to help one another as you become your contacts in the art world after you graduate. You might meet a person in grad school that works for a residency every Summer or has an art space contact in the city you really want to show in, etc. 
    #3)  Pick the Right One: The Lists are B.S.  
    I've heard it explained this way - rankings work in ten-year cycles. Either a school is on the way up or on the way down- and it takes about ten years for the reputation to catch up with them. One of your top choices may be on a decline, and others might be more valuable than you think! This makes it hard to gauge value based on a number. Once you get to top ten, the difference between schools gets more subjective. For example - CU Boulder just was bumped from #8 to #5 in Ceramics. The difference between 1-4 is very slight. (We've also just increased our funding - so watch out)! Our Painting & Drawing program is also doing amazing things, and our faculty is amazing, but we're not registering on these top lists yet because the reputation hasn't caught up to us...yet. What sold me on Boulder is showing up and touring the facilities. Without seeing in person and talking to current grads it can be very hard to make a choice and know what's out there. Talk to your mentors and professors. This is what I did. During my last two years of my BFA I asked every single visiting artist and faculty member what they thought about MFA programs, as well as doing all the research I could. 
     
    #4)  Location   
    Colorado is landlocked, but we have very active faculty who are part of the LA and NY scenes. Some of our grad seminars take field trips to LA, and many of our grads come from LA and NY to join our MFA program. So, there are still opportunities to engage in these networks without getting into these schools. It is true it is easier if you live in the area, but you will also pay for it and not everyone will want to live there or can afford to live there or will get accepted into those programs. 
     
    #5)  Big Star Faculty are Unimportant  
    Whew, this is important. You need access to mentors. Your artist idol might be on sabbatical for a year or consumed with a commission that has them avoiding studio visits and rationing their time. What if you asked in your interview, "How committed are the faculty to mentoring grad students? How much time does each faculty devote to mentorship and studio visits"? You need to go somewhere where the faculty are active in their field, yet in a program that really values their MFA program and devotes time to mentorship. This could help you during that, "Do you have any questions for us?" awkward moment. 
     
    #6)  Start Your Application Early  
    Yes! Each application system is different. Make a folder for each school, because you will likely have to reformat your images and materials a couple different ways depending on what they are asking. More and more we are wanting Vimeo links for video - so if you work in video lean on external hosts for your content and link it in! Update your website, make sure you give your referees at least 2-3 months notice (tell them now!) you will be asking for a letter of rec. For letters - send your application materials to them with your CV, letter of interest, and images so they can have something to help them write that letter of rec (especially if it's been a while and they aren't up to speed on your latest work). 
     
    #7)  Do Residencies  
    Yes. This helps give you experience and develop your work. Post-bacs are also great. 
     
    #8)  A Portfolio of Good Images  
    Your portfolio is 95% of the decision. Do whatever it takes to take professional documentation of your work!!! 
    They read your statement next and look at letters of rec and transcripts last. They are trying to understand your work, your motivations, and your track record. They are investing in you, and they need to feel good that you are going to make the best use of this opportunity. 
     
    #9)  Take the Interview Seriously
    Boulder does Skype interviews before making offers of acceptance. Some areas might do phone interviews. You should prepare for this. Research the faculty, know their work. Be prepared to answer tough questions about the conceptual grounds for your work. 
     
    #10)  Have Perspective, and Re-Apply
    I would have patience and try a second or third time to get into the program you really want rather than setting for a program you are not enthused about. It's really about being a "good fit" for a program. Your work can change dramatically from one year to the next, and you should visit the programs you are really excited about and know a lot about that program. We only accept 2-4 grads in a certain area, and sometimes there are really close calls for the runners up. Spend another year polishing your work and taking amazing images, and you could be top pick the following year. 
     
    There is no shortage of opinions here, but I am glad to add mine in as having been on all sides of the fence - former applicant, MFA candidate & graduate, and administrator. 
  6. Like
    cixelated reacted to Painfullywaiting in MFA 2021 Freak Out Forum   
    Accepted into Cranbrook for ceramics. Praying to the financial gods. ?
  7. Like
    cixelated reacted to theundoing in MFA 2021 Freak Out Forum   
    That is really true...I know my list is much smaller than I originally intended because the application fee is a pretty huge financial burden these days.
    Yeah, I heard that SAIC has terrible financial aid (along with Columbia and RISD). I considered applying to Columbia but they make you fill out a supplement stating how you plan on paying for the program!
    I hope I get into Hunter because it is very affordable for me as a NY resident. Good luck this year!!!!
  8. Like
    cixelated reacted to craftthought in MFA 2020 Freak Out Forum   
    Hi~ Thanks for all this info! I just applied to Cranbrook, but was really disturbed to see that (all??!) of their artists in resident are white. And to your point, the student body isn't diverse either.  Are students making any headway with complaints/calls for change? Would be very curious to hear if the school has made any meaningful moves on this.
  9. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from pollypocket in MFA 2020 Freak Out Forum   
    Cranbrook is actually pretty well funded-- I was extended quite a bit during my acceptance to attend for Sculpture. They go out of their way to give you initial aid, and during the latter portion of the year you can sumbit for greater funds. In addition to this, they have fellow ships that bounce between the programs (I would look on the website to see what exactly you need to be considered-- as it varies). I am a low-income student without a car here so I can attest that your best bet is to own a car, and frequently get off campus. The issue of the school being semi-monastic is very real however, I would also state that we have a large event at the end of the year where we sell work, (Ceramics sells cups to private collectors, print media sells prints and so on.) By and large though the programs that receive the most from the event are Painting and Sculpture as many collectors are looking to decorate their homes and or look for investments that will accrue value (as per the norm of most collectors). 
    My biggest and quite shared complaint is that if you are a person of color you will be a part of a very non-diverse class (there are literally 5 black students in a body of 136-- I am the only black sculpture student and the only black painter left last year). There are some very large complaints being levied by the minorities on campus at the moment so I would steer left if I were you if you fit into my category. The second biggest complaint is due to our small size there is a hellish gossip enviornment where people kind of are each others necks pretty often.We support each other dearly here and if you're looking for a competitive enviornment to build yourself you can do it here-- I just wouldn't be here if you are an introvert-- the enviornment is one that largely supports those that are socially adept and can communicate regularly. If you can't you will find hard to find your place here as much of the enviornment is discourse based and leans heavily on talking to other students about your practice.
    I should also add that depending on your department you may get a different work ethic with a mantra cross-collaboration. For instance, painting mandates around 30 hours a week in the studio. Sculpture does too, but the other departments only mandate that you show up for crit, produce halfway decent work and work hard. Most if not every student here is a high achiever and is highly respected in some regard (though there are exceptions to this) many students come in with excellent work that is diversified by the rigor of the programs. Other departments have their own rules and edicts that function mainly based on their overall project load and their way of working.
    If you have a specific major you're thinking of I can aid in telling you more about that. I'm a painter in the Sculpture department so that should tell you a lot about how diverse this school is by the way.
  10. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from Eric from America in MFA 2020 Freak Out Forum   
    Hey I go to Cranbrook and I can tell you much of the info you have on them is incorrect; they don't have the cross-disciplinary tag slapped on the surface, but they highly encourage it. I'm an oddball in the sculpture department right now, there are three to four other candidates that are not strictly sculptors in the major-- many people in each program do not strictly do the thing that their department offers-- rather the department offers the discourse surrounding the practice and adds to it. The program also features a sort of "minor" department feature where you can sit in on any critique are deeply encouraged to share different ways of making and it has been the case for many many years. And while you do state some concerns with the shifting faculty-- much of the mainstay faculty were in the same pocket and were recommended by those that left and keep up the same mentality of their predecessors. 
    There are many facilities that each department gets access to and there are breadth of research opportunities and they will help you along with any academic opportunities you need: be it applications to residencies, collectors in Detriot and gallery representation. Cranbrook is very deeply well connected and while we may not immediately be able to offer scholarships they have events where they sell student work en masse to fund the department and the students practice. I should also point out that while it is a bit cloistered the departments do make a huge effort to travel and get everyone off campus with numerous trips to other countries and cities.
  11. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from Rtwoneday in MFA 2020 Freak Out Forum   
    Hey I go to Cranbrook and I can tell you much of the info you have on them is incorrect; they don't have the cross-disciplinary tag slapped on the surface, but they highly encourage it. I'm an oddball in the sculpture department right now, there are three to four other candidates that are not strictly sculptors in the major-- many people in each program do not strictly do the thing that their department offers-- rather the department offers the discourse surrounding the practice and adds to it. The program also features a sort of "minor" department feature where you can sit in on any critique are deeply encouraged to share different ways of making and it has been the case for many many years. And while you do state some concerns with the shifting faculty-- much of the mainstay faculty were in the same pocket and were recommended by those that left and keep up the same mentality of their predecessors. 
    There are many facilities that each department gets access to and there are breadth of research opportunities and they will help you along with any academic opportunities you need: be it applications to residencies, collectors in Detriot and gallery representation. Cranbrook is very deeply well connected and while we may not immediately be able to offer scholarships they have events where they sell student work en masse to fund the department and the students practice. I should also point out that while it is a bit cloistered the departments do make a huge effort to travel and get everyone off campus with numerous trips to other countries and cities.
  12. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from staxdo_21 in Cranbrook MFA 2021!   
    Hey so I was accepted to Cranbrook's sculpture program and was trying to corral and connect with other grads that will be attending next year.
    Drop a post and or leave a message if you're attending so we can touch base as the school year is over May 5th and I wont be able to see many of you until the start of the year September 5th. 
    If you dont feel comfy posting that you got in we can discuss things in messages but I'm super excited to meet my peers for this coming year!
     
    Much love to ya,
    M.P.
  13. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from Eric from America in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    I got accepted to Cranbrook's Sculpture program this Fall! I'll see any of you guys attending come September!
    Congrats to everyone else who made it through the torturous process that is applying to grad school too!
  14. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from Lemon2Lemonade in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    I got accepted to Cranbrook's Sculpture program this Fall! I'll see any of you guys attending come September!
    Congrats to everyone else who made it through the torturous process that is applying to grad school too!
  15. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from chartblob in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    I got accepted to Cranbrook's Sculpture program this Fall! I'll see any of you guys attending come September!
    Congrats to everyone else who made it through the torturous process that is applying to grad school too!
  16. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from farmE in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    I got accepted to Cranbrook's Sculpture program this Fall! I'll see any of you guys attending come September!
    Congrats to everyone else who made it through the torturous process that is applying to grad school too!
  17. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from chartblob in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    Update: while I was rejected by the Painting program I was considered by the sculpture program based on my portfolio and essay so I have an interview noon Friday fro Cranbrook!
  18. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from Nanjin in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    Update: while I was rejected by the Painting program I was considered by the sculpture program based on my portfolio and essay so I have an interview noon Friday fro Cranbrook!
  19. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from E-6_Processing in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    Update: while I was rejected by the Painting program I was considered by the sculpture program based on my portfolio and essay so I have an interview noon Friday fro Cranbrook!
  20. Upvote
    cixelated got a reaction from Nik2 in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    Update: while I was rejected by the Painting program I was considered by the sculpture program based on my portfolio and essay so I have an interview noon Friday fro Cranbrook!
  21. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from Karisjns in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    Update: while I was rejected by the Painting program I was considered by the sculpture program based on my portfolio and essay so I have an interview noon Friday fro Cranbrook!
  22. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from afein in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    Got accepted to Pratt with 38k in aid, but cost of attendance is like 110k so I dunno if I'm going to be able to make it to New York this year.?
     
  23. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from calmly waiting in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    Rejected from Cranbrook so that's it! All I got is Pratt and with the amount of aid I'll get I will prospectively get I can't attend Pratt either unless they give me more aid so this year was sadly a bust, but I am waiting on some residencies to reply so I have that. Much power to those still waiting and those that got in. I'll see you guys next year if they don't give me more aid for Pratt.
    Malik
  24. Like
    cixelated got a reaction from calmly waiting in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    Got accepted to Pratt with 38k in aid, but cost of attendance is like 110k so I dunno if I'm going to be able to make it to New York this year.?
     
  25. Upvote
    cixelated got a reaction from Nik2 in MFA 2019 Freak Out Forum   
    Rejected from Cranbrook so that's it! All I got is Pratt and with the amount of aid I'll get I will prospectively get I can't attend Pratt either unless they give me more aid so this year was sadly a bust, but I am waiting on some residencies to reply so I have that. Much power to those still waiting and those that got in. I'll see you guys next year if they don't give me more aid for Pratt.
    Malik
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use