We are a fully accredited graduate program designed for artists who are ready to challenge their practice with a rigorous curriculum of studio and academic coursework. Our unique medium residency structure combines intense periods of on-campus instruction in Maine with independent work at any home location.

Our curriculum emphasizes the the intersection of studio practice, individual research, and critical analysis. MECA’s MFA program embraces an interdisciplinary approach that encourages students to think across traditional academic boundaries.

Since the program was established in 1998, we have established an extensive network of visiting artists, instructors, advisors, peers, and alumni. This dynamic group of colleagues functions as a supportive team for our students and a powerful professional network beyond graduation.

MECA’s MFA is a two year program, structured in three trimesters.

Summer Trimester
Location: Portland

The academic year begins with an eight-week summer intensive in Maine. During this dynamic on-campus trimester, each student is provided with an individual studio space and 24-hour access to all the resources of our 200,000 square-foot facility. Students participate in rigorous academic seminars, weekly group critiques, and chose a topical elective. A distinguished roster of visiting artists join the program, one per week, to present a public lecture and conduct individual studio visits.

Fall Trimester
Location: Anywhere

From their home studios, students work one-on-one with an individual studio advisor to support the needs of their unique projects. Core faculty use our dynamic interactive teaching website to deliver rigorous academic courses, supplemented by podcast lectures, individual research, discussion forums, and personal conversation. First-year students complete a series of online seminars in art history and studio experimentation. Second-year students engage in more advanced online and self-directed research.

Winter Intensive
Location: On the move

The fall trimester culminates in a one week intensive in early December for student presentations and focused second-year workshops. First-year students travel with faculty to a satellite city to conduct museum and studio visits. Recent trips include New York, Philadelphia, and Oregon.

Spring Trimester
Location: Anywhere

Experienced from the home studio, the first-year spring curriculum includes interdisciplinary field research and a writing seminar geared to enhance the ideation and articulation of studio projects. The second-year curriculum focuses on completion of the written and studio thesis.

THE THESIS
In May of the second year, students return to Portland to present and defend their thesis projects.

EXHIBITION: Graduating students exhibit their work in the spacious galleries of MECA’s Institute of Contemporary Art with an accompanying exhibition catalog.

PUBLICATION: Each student composes and publishes a 7,500 word written thesis, which becomes a part of the permanent collections of the Joanne Waxman Library at MECA.

DEFENSES: Graduating students defend the written and studio thesis in a series of plenary sessions adjudicated by a panel of core faculty and guest critics.

Summer and winter residencies in Maine provide the intensity of group interaction and feedback.

Fall and spring semesters, experienced from any home location, support flexibility and independence. This structure promotes the development of a sustainable lifelong practice.

Curriculum: Academic Year 2011-12

YEAR ONE

Summer:
MST851 Studio I: Summer studio course. 6 credits
MCR861 Perspectives: An introduction to key written sources for studio artists. 2 credits

Fall:
MST852 Studio II: Studio production supported by Non Resident Studio Advisor. 6 credits
MST853 Research Methodologies I: These hybrid studio-academic courses for all students focus on developing and enriching one’s abilities to locate, analyze, transform, and translate stimulating source material within a studio or project-based context. 2 credits
MCR862 Contemporary Art Since 1945: Animated through discussion forums and podcast lectures, this art history survey supports 1st year students as they read an entire anthology of art critical writing together. 2 credits

Spring:
MST854 Studio III: Studio production supported by Non Resident Studio Advisor. 6 credits
MST862 Studio in Focus: An in-depth examination of studio production, through conversation, written and visual analysis. This course serves as a writing studio in which students use writing to discover, analyze and refine studio projects. A survey of influential artist writings will be examined as case studies. 2 credits
MST867 Art Since Now: Drawing from current articles and publications, exhibitions, field research, and artist interviews, this course will encourage broader questions of existence and art through a transdisciplinary sweep that aims to lay a foundation for future research and art production. 2 credits

PERMISSION TO PROCEED:
At the end of the first year, the student must be granted permission by the co-directors of the program in order to proceed to the second year.

YEAR TWO

Summer
MST856 Studio IV: Summer studio course. 6 credits
MCR864 Perspectives II: Student led seminar focusing on key critical texts. 2 credits

Fall:
MST857 Studio V: Studio production supported by Non Resident Studio Advisor. 6 credits
MST858 Research Methodologies II: These hybrid studio-academic courses for all students focus on developing and enriching one’s abilities to locate, analyze, transform, and translate stimulating source material within a studio or project-based context. 2 credits
MCR865 Guided Studies: Faculty work closely with 2nd year students to develop individual syllabi of key texts and artistic models relevant to each unique thesis project and develop an outline of written thesis. 2 credits

Spring:
MST859 Studio VI: Studio production supported by Non Resident Studio Advisor. 6 credits
MST860 Studio Thesis: The final studio course for 2nd year students is directed toward the preparation of their studio thesis submission to be presented at MECA to a panel of assembled faculty and guests. 2 credits
MCR866 Thesis Composition: This course focuses exclusively on assisting graduating students to compose and edit 7,500 word thesis text published as an essay through Lulu Books. 2 credits

ELECTIVES:
Every summer students participate in the elective course of their choice. Two electives are offered each year. Topics are subject to change on an annual basis.

Past electives have included:
MEL875 Cinematheque Elective: A week-long film festival of avant-garde and experimental film which is critiqued and analyzed through written responses and group discussion. 2 credits
MEL873 Open Elective: Artists At Work – a laboratory exploring public engagement as a key conceptual and curatorial strategy. 2 credits
MEL870 Seminar in Independent Curating Elective: Introduction to the “nuts-and- bolts” of curating as well as an exploration of theoretical, experimental, and traditional curatorial practices. 2 credits

Q. What is the difference between a medium and a low residency structure?
While most low residency programs offer 1-2 week on campus intensives, MECA is unique in offering an 8 week summer intensive trimester and a full fall and spring trimesters. The Summer Intensive trimester allows students a full semester of on campus experience each summer, while the Fall and Spring trimesters offer a full academic year of studio and coursework from a student’s home studio. Short Winter and May residencies (for graduating students) complement the fall and spring triemesters.

The medium residency structure features year round contact with core faculty and a local studio advisor who meets with each student in their home studio during the fall and spring trimesters. Studio time is complemented by a rigorous program of online coursework.

The MECA MFA medium residency program is a full-time 60 credit program of study.

Q. When does the program begin?
The academic year kicks off annually with an eight-week Summer Intensive in Portland, Maine. The Intensive generally begins in mid-June and runs through early August. See the Academic Calendar for more information.

Q. How do I request program materials?
You may request a catalog here.

Q. What advice would you give about submitting my portfolio?
Documentation of your work should be of professional quality.  Choose images that best represent you as an individual. You may submit up to twenty images but we recommend that you thoughtfully edit the selection to support the ideas communicated in your letter of intent.

Q. What should I put in my letter of intent?
Describe your intended field of exploration to show us what materials, ideas, and approaches you are ready to embrace as part of your graduate study. Alongside an analysis of  your recent work, describe how you anticipate your work moving in new directions in the future.  Tell us how you are ready to challenge yourself and why you think MECA’s MFA  will help you do this.

Q. Who are the Visiting Artists and Curators for Summer 2011?
The roster of visiting Artists and Curators for summer 2011 is forthcoming.

Q. How do I find out more about Financial Aid and Scholarships at MECA?
To be eligible for aid at MECA accepted applicants must have completed a FAFSA form online.  Please visit the Financial Aid section for more information.  All students may apply for remote research fellowships.

Q. What are the academic dates for the year?
Please see our Academic Calendar.
   
Q. Is there someone I can speak to about the MFA in Studio Arts Program at MECA?
Please do not hesitate to contact Rachel Katz in the MFA office with questions about our MFA program. You can reach Rachel at 207.699.5030, or by email at mfa@MECA.edu.