MFA painting program suggestions based on work.

[shmwy]

I have amassed a large list of schools that I am applying to, but I am worried that the programs are bad choices in regards to my work, or that I am missing some programs that fit my work. At the moment I am an undergrad at USF in Tampa, Florida.

My list so far is:

Yale

Columbia

RISD

MICA

SVA

Pratt

Parsons

NYU

CalArts

UCLA

Museum School

Tyler

Cornell

Royal College of Art

Chelsea

Slade

Camberwell

I am really quite overwhelmed by the prospect of submitting so many applications. Any advice is warmly welcomed!

Website: http://www.evanlovejoyart.com/fine-art/

[michaelwebster]

Some of those, like RISD, Yale, Columbia, UCLA probably aren't even close to good fits with your work, BUT, you never know because sometimes they choose people that don't fit their mold. I would look at East Carolina University, the graduate director, Scott Eagle, has similar work in some ways. http://www.scotteagle.com/Mine.html

I don't know about all of those schools though.

[losemygrip]

As always, I ask: what is your goal in getting an MFA?

I'd drop Pratt and Parsons right away. They're just not that good, and they're expensive.

I actually quite like your work, but you're going to run into an issue in that it seems sort of "illustration-y." The NY Academy of Art would seem ideal, but I can't say for sure without knowing what your professional goals are.

[shmwy]

Thanks for the suggestions! I do worry about the illustrative qualities that many people see in my work, and I hope that stigma does not cloud my overall themes during the portfolio reviews, but I am sure it will be an issue nonetheless. That being said, I have not heard a lot about the NY Academy of Art, its reputation, or the opportunities available to students by attending, but the classical training is definitely a plus.

My goals in getting an MFA is to hopefully be able to teach at the college level, and also show work professionally.

Thanks again for the input, every little bit helps!

[losemygrip]

OK, so you need an MFA as a teaching credential. So the place you go actually matters, and needs to have some kind of reputation in academe. (This is why I always ask this question.)

Being aware of the illustrative qualities should help you. You may want to address that in your statement so that people know you're self-aware.

NYAA might not help much in getting an academic position. I'm going to suggest that you just cast a really broad net, and don't freak out if you don't get in on the first round. It may take a while to find the right fit for you.

Here's what I'd suggest for some initial research:

Arizona State

U. Iowa

WUSTL

San Francisco Art Institute

U. Illinois

And here are some second tier schools that I think might be sympathetic to your work (mostly going on gut here)

Southern Methodist U

Bowling Green State (OH)

U. Alabama

U. Utah

Edinboro U. of Pennsylvania

However, these later schools will be less desirable in getting an academic job.

I think you're really going to have to peruse websites and look at the work of all the painting faculty and see if you can find anyone whose approach or ideas seem to resonate with yours. Larger schools will have larger faculties, and thus more options to choose from.