Artisanry:
Fibers
MFA
The MFA in Artisanry—Fibers is an intensive two-to-three-year course of study that emphasizes exploration and mastery within contemporary art making. This program pursues process and material intelligence in a supportive inter-genre studio environment and a curriculum that supports risk and clarity with rigor.
Fibers
The Fibers program is an intensive two- to three- year course of study with a focus on technical and conceptual exploration. Graduate students will engage with a creative community that fosters an interdisciplinary approach to fiber as art and design. Students will pursue individual areas of interest, which may take the form of two or three dimensional structures, or functional and non-functional work.
Program curriculum and details
Through a deep exploration of technical processes combined with a conceptual basis, you will develop personal analytical and critical skills, confidence, and the self-discipline required for accomplished artistic work. Close relationships with your advisor, student peers, and committee members support research, experimentation, and ongoing inquiry, directed toward the development of a strong sense of your own artistic vision and a sensitivity to the role of art within your culture.
The fibers studio is a vigorous and demanding environment where faculty and students critique, and discuss studio work; individual meetings take place on a weekly basis and critiques as needed. Your studio work is enriched by elective courses that best compliment your artistic direction.
The required studio and academic course work to earn a master's degree in fibers includes seminars in professional practices, aesthetic issues, art history, philosophy of art, and support studios. Studies culminate with both a visual and written thesis.
Student success
Student spotlight
Inspired to reignite her career after moving to the US from South Korea, Sung finds the ideal balance between managing family life, pursuing an MFA, & promoting her career as a textile artist.
Pursue your MFA at UMassD
- Assistantships: provide stipends, tuition waivers and fee reductions
- Exhibition opportunities: local, regional, and on campus
- Facilities: labs, equipment, and tools for artistic exploration and production
- Faculty: involved in scholarly, creative, and professional projects
- Individualized attention extended to every student
- Interdisciplinary projects and committees are encouraged
- Location: an hour from Providence, Boston, and Cape Cod
- New Bedford: an active downtown arts community
- University education: access to faculty in other fields
- Visiting artists: enrich your artistic and professional development
- Visual Resources Center: more than 150,000 archived images
- Workspaces: assigned to each graduate student
A limited number of assistantships are available on a competitive basis. This award is subject to the work needs of the position and department, your satisfactory performance of duties, your academic record, and availability of funds, and may be subject to change.