The Fine Art MFA research programme creates a stimulating and challenging environment in which to develop analytical, critical and communicative abilities. Postgraduate students develop their professional knowledge of contemporary art practice and debate in conjunction with their own practice in fine print, media, painting, sculpture, community/public art, installation, and interdisciplinary art forms.
MFA Programme Structure
The MFA programme is driven by the research interests of the individual student and the concerns emerging in the student’s own art practice. This is an interdisciplinary research programme consisting of regular scheduled individual supervision, a weekly research seminar, a series of studio critiques, an introductory course on research methodologies, a visiting lecturer series and a set of international study trips. In recent years study trips have been made to Brazil, New York, and Venice. Recent visiting lecturers included Francis Hegarty and Gerard Byrne from Ireland; Marjetica Poitric from Slovenia; Roger Buergel from Germany; Wolfgang Zinggel from Austria; Nicholas Bourriaud and Jochen Gerz from France; and David Carrier and Stephan Rand from the USA.
Students are assigned a primary supervisor from one of the faculty departments: Fine Print, Media, Painting and Sculpture. The primary supervisor acts as personal tutor, offering support throughout MFA studies.
The MFA programme is interdisciplinary, rooted in contemporary critical debates and informed by the long-standing tradition of experimentation, investigation and enquiry in and through the visual arts. Postgraduate students are encouraged to interrogate the pre-given categories and formats of arts practices and consider the broadest possible ways in which the practice of art may extend understanding, knowledge, insight and wonder.
The final submission by participants on the MFA programme normally entails:
1. Preliminary research materials (reference material, drawings, photographs, sketchbooks, technical notes or test pieces)
2. Art works (performance-events, paintings, installation-work, interventions, sculptures, print editions, video-works, public-art projects or other formats)
3. A 2,500 word essay and a written text of 2,500 words which may take the form of a case-study report on work undertaken, analysis of the outcomes, statement of intent or report articulating the process and outcomes of the work.
An important consideration for postgraduate students is the appropriate form for making the work publicly and professionally available to others and they are encouraged to consider a range of modes of distribution and communication.