SAIC or Boston University for MA in art history？

[Tirizion]

I just received offers from SAIC and Boston for a master’s program in art history. I’m interested in contemporary art and especially in new media and hoping to do a PhD after this program. It seems SAIC has better professors and stronger research power in contemporary art than Boston. But there are two points I’m concerned about SAIC. 

Firstly, SAIC does not have PhD programs. So I cannot connect with potential PhD advisors in SAIC. Secondly, SAIC is an art school. I’m kinda worried it might be not helpful for me to do some interdisciplinary research. 

 

[roving99]

11 hours ago, Tirizion said:

I just received offers from SAIC and Boston for a master’s program in art history. I’m interested in contemporary art and especially in new media and hoping to do a PhD after this program. It seems SAIC has better professors and stronger research power in contemporary art than Boston. But there are two points I’m concerned about SAIC. 

Firstly, SAIC does not have PhD programs. So I cannot connect with potential PhD advisors in SAIC. Secondly, SAIC is an art school. I’m kinda worried it might be not helpful for me to do some interdisciplinary research. 

 

There’s nothing wrong inherently with a terminal MA program. Williams for instance has a stellar one. Tgere are many others as well.

which program offers the best funding?

which program has the best advisor for you RIGHT NOW? 

I would focus on those two questions the most. Many times after two years you will find that you have a more nuanced understanding of phd programs and advisors that align with your interests, so I don’t think wether the school has a phd program or not should be a defining factor. Consider this two years of training for the real application cycle. Also, I’m not familiar with Boston’s etiquette but there are also some schools that will NOT have MA students move to the PhD directly, so that is just something to consider. 

[raye237]

For Boston I am assuming your advisor would be Williams? He is amazing! Also, Boston has a great art scene plus you are close to art scenes in Western Mass (including Mass MOCA) and NYC. I would recommend! Can't speak on SAIC or Chicago but here for any BU/Boston questions.

[anw8680]

Chicago resident working in the arts here - although I did not personally go to SAIC quite a few of my friends and colleagues did for their MA.  I'll be candid and say they definitely spoke of issues with the quality of the program itself (although they graduated years ago and I feel that criticism can apply to many programs).  However my experience of Chicago's art community is that it's incredibly incestuous, which can be beneficial if you're looking to stay/work in Chicago.  Those who go to SAIC seem to be well plugged in to the contemporary community here and thus have an advantage when it comes time to find work.  I.e. I know of multiple arts orgs that contact SAIC professors for candidate recommendations when hiring new staff, prior to posting job listings publicly.  Additionally we all work quite closely with each other, institutions, foundations, and galleries alike; i.e. I've worked on projects where people from Northwestern, SAIC, and U of Chicago were all collaborating.  They're all connected, so while SAIC may not offer a PhD option, you'll likely still have opportunities to connect with potential PhD advisors at other Chicago area schools.  Again, this is just based on what I've experienced, so someone else may have a completely different perspective.  But if you're interested to stay/work in Chicago, then I personally think SAIC has its benefits.