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.

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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

Fibers student work

Sung Ji Li, MFA student at UMass Dartmouth's College of Visual and Performing Arts

Student spotlight

Sung Ji Lee '21: Finding a home away from home

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.

Graduate admissions requirements

Admissions requirements

To apply please create an account in our Applicant Portal. You will need to submit:

Application form
$60 application fee (non-refundable)
Statement of Purpose (minimum 300 words)
Resume
Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not)
English Proficiency test scores:TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic (if applicable)
Letter(s) of Recommendation (see program requirements for more information)
GRE/GMAT (not required for most programs, see program requirements for more information)

Unofficial transcripts and test scores are accepted for application review but official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration.

Application dates

Top 29%

of MFA programs in the U.S. - U.S. News & World Report

#54

Best Fine Arts Programs - U.S. News & World Report

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.

Learn more about assistantships at UMass Dartmouth