2021 MFA Recommendations

[BCS]

Hi! Looking for any advice or suggestions from this helpful forum on programs to apply to for 2021! I didn't see a specific 2021 topic, so apologies if this is not the correct placement.

Background: I graduated in 2009 with my BFA from East Carolina University with a dual concentration in Illustration and Graphic Design and a minor in Art History (Mesoamerican focus). I worked as an illustrator and designer in marketing for a bit before starting up a pet portrait painting business in 2011, and went full time in 2012 as it became more lucrative then being an in-house graphic designer and far more fulfilling. So I've basically been painting pets for customers around the world full time for the last 8 years. I decided in late 2019 that I wanted to consider going back for an MFA in order to not only really work in a art community again and grow as an artist, but also to gain experience and accreditation to pursue teaching. I considered getting certification in art ed for k-12, but decided art at a university or other higher private level was more the route I wanted to take. I had been teaching adult classes occasionally and asked by local guilds to present on art as small business and found joy in helping others in their practice.

That said, I originally considered only Winthrop, a college within a half hour of the home I own with my husband, near his job, which offers an MFA in Studio Art. This year I've discovered the funding available at other programs and decided to apply to some schools were relocating would be necessary. That said, those programs would have to be very well or fully funded, with insurance, in order for my husband to leave his position here in Charlotte, NC. Also be a location we would enjoy for the next 2-3 years.

This forum has been so helpful. I'm realizing perhaps my work is too representational or commercial to appeal to many programs, which seem quite different from my BFA experience. This may be that I studied illustration, which is a different beast. I want to evolve my work however and am working on pieces to add to my portfolio. I've painted over 2,200 pet portraits over the last few years (woof!), so trying to do something beyond that, while still following my ideas of animals being important representational stand-ins for human emotional issues. Integrating my study in ancient North and South American art history and the historical use of animals as symbols for the human condition, incorporating mental health issues possibly. So, very open to growing and changing, but still have a passion for more traditional methods and keeping in mind the end goal of teaching.

Ive been looking at:

Winthrop (some funding, but I'm able to pay out of pocket for the tuition and do TA for the rest and it allows us to remain where we are. The safe bet, and a past fave professor and coworker is coming on as head of one of the art programs.)
U of O (husband loves the area, I'm almost as much of a runner as I am an artist so Eugene is very appealing)
Georgia State and University of Georgia (had no idea about them until recently, the funding and location not too far from family is appealing.)
UNC Chapel Hill (mainly for the focus on teaching. Not entirely sure the area would provide work of my husband's nature.)
UNC Greensboro (very close to friends and family)
UT Knoxville

My husband and I would love to be in the Pacific Northwest, U of O seemed to be the best bet, but open to others. Climate is fairly important, nothing insanely hot (florida, Texas, LA out) or with tons of snow.

Any others I should consider, things to know about these programs? Thanks in advance!

Edited July 28, 2020 by BCS

[SpillToBuilt]

I would google “funded MFA art programs” and look for schools that are in a suitable climate. There are at least a few different lists of funded programs that should pop up. 
 

edit: Also, what you talk about in the “This forum has been so helpful” paragraph is really interesting. You could definitely build upon those ideas for your portfolio to submit for applications. I would also say you definitely want to submit a body of work separate from your commercial work. 

Edited July 29, 2020 by SpillToBuilt

[Jaux]

I don't know much about those programs specifically but yeah general funding searches would be probably the best base place to start - but it seems like you got some good leads already that fit most of what you're looking for in a program! Thought I'd toss in Washington University in St. Louis MFA IVC (Illustration/Research/Academic focused) - it's a newer program but they have a few fully funded spots, worth applying to see if you'd get one! I know it's in another geographic direction. Though summer time may be a weather deal breaker ha! 

https://www.mfaivc.samfoxschool.wustl.edu/about 

[BCS]

Thanks @Jaux, I will look into that program! @SpillToBuilt great advice. I did a few weeks worth of google searching and looking for funded programs that way. Thought I'd check to see if there were any I was missing (Google isn't always as good). Thanks, I'll focus on some non commercial work!

[ipaintandipout]

Hi @BCS, I'm a 3rd year student at Georgia State University in Drawing & Painting. I've absolutely loved my experience here and would highly recommend it to anyone! You can look at the current MFA students and Drawing/Painting/Printmaking (DPP) faculty to consider if the school is a good fit for your work.

Current grads are tagged in the GSU DPP Instagram profile (still needs to be updated with our three new grads!)
https://www.instagram.com/gsu_drawpaintprint/

Here's more information about the Drawing & Painting program (click through to the faculty page to see faculty)
https://artdesign.gsu.edu/graduate/mfa-in-studio-concentrations/drawing-and-painting/

It would probably help to take a year or so to develop a strong portfolio of personal work as the application process is very competitive (not to say your work isn't good, it's just sounds like its largely commercial illustration right now). If you do that it will improve your chances with MFA programs overall and will make it more likely for you to get some funding! I will say the best thing about GSU is that all accepted MFAs receive a full tuition waiver and monthly stipend. We have a student insurance plan, but for that students pay out of pocket (you can pay extra to cover family members).

Hope this helps! I'm always happy to talk with people who are interested in GSU, especially painters! Let me know if you're in Atlanta sometime soon and I'd be happy to give you a tour of the school. Also feel free to DM me on Instagram if you have any questions: @melissahuangart

[SocialKonstruct]

One of our alumni is heading there for her MFA this year.

 

https://www.art.utah.edu/catching-up-with-alyssa-hood/

[Highlow]

On 7/28/2020 at 4:04 PM, BCS said:

My husband and I would love to be in the Pacific Northwest, U of O seemed to be the best bet, but open to others. Climate is fairly important, nothing insanely hot (florida, Texas, LA out) or with tons of snow.

Any others I should consider, things to know about these programs? Thanks in advance!

Hi , for PNW region: PNCA in Portland, Simon Fraser in Vancouver, or UW Seattle seem the three best followed by UofO. I'm looking at applying.