The admissions process for the MFA in Art & Design is highly selective. A maximum of 10 new students are enrolled each year. Applicants must hold a bachelors degree in any field, must demonstrate an ability to carry out creative work, must have an interest in interdisciplinary work, a strong educational background, and substantive life experience to draw upon in charting new directions for creative work. The Art & Design graduate program is part of the University of Michigan Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies. Admission to the School of Art & Design requires concurrent admission to Rackham. All applicants must send materials to both Rackham and the School of Art & Design as outlined below. Information on tuition, fees, and financial support can be found below.
The School of Art & Design is committed to diversity.
Application Deadline: January 1, 2010
Rackham Application (Required)
For information about the Rackham application and for submitting an online application to Rackham, please go to the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies website at: http://www.rackham.umich.edu/admissions/prospective_students_degree/.
The Rackham online application allows applicants to upload documents. Applicants to the School of Art & Design must upload the following material to the Rackham online application:
Creative Work and Academic Statement (750 words max.)
The Creative Work and Academic Statement should be a concise essay that describes the motivations, processes, and results of your creative work and academic work. It should provide evidence of a connection between your creative work, academic interests, and life experiences. The essay should also demonstrate how the goals of this particular MFA program will further your own development.
Personal Statement (500 words max.)
How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan?
For example, if you grew up in a community where educational, cultural, or other opportunities were either especially plentiful or especially lacking, you might discuss the impact this had on your development and interests. This should be a discussion of the journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree.
Please do not repeat your Academic Statement of Purpose.
Professional Resume
Unofficial transcript if you have one
References/Recommendations
The School of Art & Design prefers to contact your references by phone or email. If your recommenders are from North America, please complete the contact information requested on the application form but DO NOT request or submit letters of recommendation from references in North America. However, if your references are international, complete the contact information requested on the application form AND ask them to submit letters.
School of Art & Design Application (Required)
Send the following materials to the School of Art & Design:
Materials for Creative Work Review (described below)
Official transcripts of ALL college work
To:
Graduate Selection Committee
School of Art & Design
University of Michigan
2000 Bonisteel Blvd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2069
Application materials must be postmarked by January 1, 2010.
In addition to the application materials, an on-campus interview is required of 20 candidates selected by the admissions committee. Expenses associated with the interview trip are paid for by the School. Candidate ranking will be determined after the interview process.
Application materials will be returned in April. The School of Art & Design is not responsible for the loss of, or damage to, submitted materials. Incomplete applications or materials, which do not meet stated requirements, will not be reviewed. Applicants will be notified regarding the admission decision by April 1. Information regarding admission status will be available by email at a&dgradinfo@umich.edu.
Creative Work Review
Applicants may demonstrate creative ability through CD or DVD. If the portfolio does not meet these guidelines, it will not be reviewed and the application will be considered incomplete.
Requirements for Digital Images
- Submit a maximum of 20 images.
- Format images as jpeg (.jpg) files, in RGB (not CMYK).
- Save images at approximately 1024 pixels x 768 pixels.
- Individual image file sizes will be between 300 kilobytes (KB) and 3 megabytes (MB) if these pixel size requirements are used. Files larger than 3 MB will not be opened.
- Place all image files into a SINGLE FOLDER. Name the image files alphabetically or numerically to be sure they are listed and reviewed in the desired order. The image files will be reviewed in their alpha-numeric order as listed in the folder. (Do not disperse images into multiple folders).
- Save images on a regular CD-ROM (not CD-RW, VCD, mixed media, Audio CD, DVD, DVD-RW, or mini-disk).
- Include a typed, numbered list that identifies each image by title, date, medium, size, and other appropriate information.
Requirements for Time-Based Work
- Video, sound, and animation can be submitted on CD or DVD.
- CD and DVD recorded pieces must be Mac OS X compatible.
- Provide concise printed instructions for viewing/listening to time-based work.
- Limit time-based work to a total of 10 minutes. No more than 10 minutes of material will be reviewed.
- If your application includes jpg images and time-based work, limit the time-based work to 5 minutes in order to leave time to review the images.
- Include a typed, numbered list that identifies each image or time-based piece by title, date, medium, size, and other appropriate information.
Provide a self-addressed mailer and sufficient postage if return of materials is desired. Materials submitted without postage will not be returned.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Support
Current full term tuition costs and fees can be found at the Office of the Registrar.
For additional information about fees and payments see: http://www.umich.edu/~regoff/tuition.
All Art & Design graduate students receive substantial and competitive financial support, which, for students who meet the standards for normal progress in the program, includes full tuition, graduate assistantships, and discretionary funds for six semesters.
During the 2008-09 academic year, graduate students will receive the following annual financial aid:
In-State Graduate Students 2008-09
| Graduate Assistantship in Art & Design | Award |
|---|---|
| Tuition Waiver of 100% | $16,861 |
| Stipend | $7,648 |
| Discretionary Grant | $2,000 |
| Total Annual Award | $26,509 |
Out-of-State Graduate Students 2008-09
| Graduate Assistantship in Art & Design | Award |
|---|---|
| Tuition Waiver of 100% | $33,923 |
| Stipend | $7,648 |
| Discretionary Grant | $2,000 |
| Total Annual Award | $43,571 |
Additional information on student loans and financial assistance can be found at the University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid.
The Rackham Graduate School also provides a list of funding sources at: http://www.rackham.umich.edu/Funding/
Matt Shlian Featured in New Publication
Work by Matt Shlian is featured in the book Papercraft from Gestalten Press, an extensive survey on the innovative art and design work crafted from paper.
Exhibition: Faces
Open Nov 20 - Jan 12 at the Dexter District Library, Faces features interpretations by twelve area artists.
Nick Tobier: Marvelous Guests
Tobier's Marvelous Guests will invite professionals to conduct business in unusual locations - a ballerina in a Laundromat, a stock trader in a funiculaire, a shepard and his flock on a football field.
Stewart Brand
On December 03, the Penny W. Stamps Distinguished Visitors Series presents Stewart Brand with Hacking Civilization at the Michigan Theater.
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The A&D website is produced with funding from Susan Smucker Wagstaff and Reid Wagstaff.