First Semester Residency: Summer
8 weeks: late June to mid-August

STUDIO PRACTICE
The second year summer intensive follows in form of the first year. Students are expected to be able to formulate an understanding of their studio work situated within a larger historical and cultural context. Their work should reflect a similar maturity in understanding the language of their materials and systems of making. Towards the end of the residency, the student and resident faculty will establish the goals and objectives to be addressed in the non-residency studio practice and written thesis. These discussions become the basis of the two-semester thesis project.

INTERDISCIPLINARY THEORY
The summer interdisciplinary theory course is centered around a series of lectures that cover advanced topics in critical philosophical and aesthetic regions of thinking that evolve out of the first year readings. Informal discussions are fostered to integrate the student’s individual studio practices and theoretical issues. Towards the end of residency, under the guidance of the Chair of Written Thesis, the students will be assigned a Thesis Advisor from the resident faculty. The student proposes a written thesis project, formulated in consultation with the resident faculty and also under the overall guidance of the Coordinator of Interdisciplinary Theory. The written thesis proposal is informed by the studio thesis project. The written thesis is researched and developed in close consultation with the resident faculty.

First Semester Non-Residency: Fall
14 weeks: early September through early December

STUDIO PRACTICE
The non-residency studio thesis project extends from work begun in residency and is developed and contracted in the form of a written studio plan. During this nonresidency, objectives established with the resident faculty, assuring that the studio thesis progresses toward a cohesive body of work. Progress is evaluated in one-on-one critiques with the non-resident studio instructor and in consultation with the resident faculty.

INTERDISCIPLINARY THEORY
In continued consultation with the Chair of Written Thesis and their Thesis Advisor the student continues their research and completes a draft of the written thesis. The draft will be submitted for consideration and critique by the resident faculty at the beginning of the winter residency.

Second Semester Residency: Winter
10 days: The January Intensive

STUDIO PRACTICE AND INTERDISCIPLINARY THEORY
The second year winter residency is held in Portland and focuses on the development and integration of studio and written thesis work. Students meet with faculty in individual meetings. Students present their ongoing thesis work as part of a formal panel discussion. In addition to the thesis work, students also participate in professional development workshops and seminars.

Second Semester Non-Residency: Spring
16 weeks: end of January to early May

STUDIO PRACTICE AND INTERDISCIPLINARY THEORY: THESIS PROJECT
After the January Intensive, students will develop their studio and written thesis in an integrated manner. Students write a proposal for their non-resident studio instructor outlining the specifics of their studio work towards their final thesis show and defense. Progress is monitored in discussions with the non-residency studio instructor and in discussion with the resident faculty. As in the fall, the written thesis will be overseen by the Chair of Written Thesis and directly monitored by the student’s individual Thesis Advisor.

Second Year Residency: Spring
5 days: May

STUDIO PRACTICE AND INTERDISCIPLINARY THEORY: THESIS DEFENSE
A five-day spring residency is held for second-year students earning their degree in May. Candidates arrive and install their studio thesis project. This requirement serves as a final studio thesis wherein the student is expected to demonstrate high proficiency and the ability to assume an active and responsible role as a professional artist, mentor, and exemplar in his/her field of expertise. The studio and written thesis defense is presented to the thesis defense committee of resident faculty. Each student presents their work and answers questions from the panel – all the second year students are present and participate in the defenses. The thesis defense is reviewed and graded by the resident faculty. The final thesis exhibition then introduces the student’s work to the public. The studio thesis is exhibited before and after commencement as part of the MFA thesis exhibition. Students may choose to do an artist’s talk about their work during the period of the exhibition.