All programs Apply

Studio Arts

MFA

The foundation of our MFA Studio Arts program is an individualized education that helps each student develop artistic vision and voice.

Our full-time, two-year (60-credit) MFA Studio Arts program encourages students to experiment and explore, while refining the technical and conceptual strategies in their work. Students may choose one of three concentrations, in the areas of Painting, Printmaking, or Sculpture.

A student lifts a printmaking screen while working in her studio

Students convene in a graduate studio space

Studio Arts MFA Concentrations Expand all

Students are encouraged and challenged, and through rigorous study, creative exploration, and critical discourse, each artist’s body of work deepens and evolves, along with the student’s ability to place their work in the context of contemporary practice.

A woman with glasses and a dark sweater gestures towards a large, abstract painting on the wall, highlighting its 2D art style. Another person stands partially visible in the background within the brightly lit room, suggesting a studio or gallery setting.

MFA Painting Critique with Cecilia Vasquez.

A person in a blue shirt and black hat stands as the image hero in front of a large, detailed painting depicting multiple nude figures in earthy tones. Another person with curly hair sits nearby, partially visible. The room, with its overhead lights, exudes an art studio vibe.

A student looks at her laptop while presenting in a graduate level critique

Dialogue and critique are key components of an education in the studio arts, and at MassArt critique is viewed as a creative act. The rich dialogue among students, faculty, visiting artists, and critics takes place within the framework of core classes, electives, presentations, and excursions off campus. Our approach illuminates new pathways for each artist’s work, helping students to build a sustainable practice, and to develop perspective and empathy as artist citizens of the world.

An aerial view of MassArt's Print Studio.

People wearing aprons stand around a metal table in a print studio, looking at prints.

The Printmaking department’s Master Print Series, featuring visiting artist, Kiki Smith.

A professor points and talks about a student work hanging up on a while while a student observes and listens.

Faculty member, Fred Liang observes student work in a class critique. Photo by Tony Luong

Woman concentrating on a project at a desk in an art studio, surrounded by art supplies and inspiration images on a wall. Shes wearing a denim shirt and has her hair in a bun. The room has a white brick wall and natural light from windows.

Majors have studio space in the Print Studio

Two people in a workshop discuss a paper design. One wears a beanie and apron, the other glasses and a smartwatch. The background includes tables, art materials, and a bulletin board. Others are working at tables.

The Printshop in the 2D Fine Arts/Printmaking department.

In our MFA Studio Arts program Sculpture concentration, you’ll explore sculptural mediums using our exceptional facilities in glass, clay, wood, and metal, and more.

MassArt’s full-time, two-year (60 credit) MFA Studio Arts program is committed to an expanded understanding of the sculptural medium.

With the support of faculty working across a range of media and disciplines, students engage in rigorous experimentation and collaboration, and the resulting work–from clay vessels to collaborative performance–reflects a highly personal investigation. Students with an expanded sense of practice are also encouraged to explore technology, performance, and the moving image as possible vehicles for their ideas.

MFA Students looking at work in their studio space.

MFA students have their own studio spaces with areas dedicated to collaboration and critiquing with fellow graduate students.

Two people work in a carpentry workshop. One is focused on measuring a wooden board at a table filled with tools, while the other works with a power tool in the background. The space is filled with woodworking equipment and projects.

Many students standing at tables working in a woodshop.

A Wood Carving class in the Woodshop with faculty member Annie Meyer.

At the MassArt exhibit, people interact amid ceramic vases on pedestals. Two individuals share a laugh under vibrant banners, while others admire the artwork. The gallery buzzes with creativity and community spirit, embodying the essence of artistic work and expression.

Featured Work

A colorful painting consisting of hot pink dripping paint and other colors cascading down a canvas with a background featuring a gradient of color from turquoise to white.

Adrian Negenborn, ’10 MFA, MFA Fine Arts 2D LP04221, Acrylic on Canvas, 2023

A collage of stylized birds and flowers in black, white, and beige. The overlapping images of birds with intricate patterns evoke a sense of emancipation. Wings spread across the canvas, creating a layered and textured effect with distinct floral and bird motifs.

Behnaz Monzavi, ’25 MFA, MFA Fine Arts 2D Emancipation Wings, Woodcut Printmaking on Eastern paper, 2023

A painting with a blue & yellow gradient and two cyclinders - one large black one and one smaller white one.

Dara Morgenstern, ’23 MFA, MFA Fine Arts 2D Ext. Columns – Day, Painting, 2022

MFA Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the Studio Arts MFA program are expected to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes.

Create a 21st century studio practice based on personal vision to develop a body of work that is unique and reflects an authentic perspective
Demonstrate technical and formal proficiency in chosen media, alongside openness to investigations in other disciplines
Locate one’s work within contemporary art, art history, and larger cultural contexts
Strengthen visual analysis and verbal articulation skills as a foundation for critical dialogue and conceptual frameworks.
Develop awareness of the diverse cultural, historical, and experiential dimensions in one’s own artwork and in that of others, as tied to geography, time, and larger ideologies
Demonstrate best practices in the studio, including well-being and safe use of tools, equipment, and materials
Acquire professional skills for sustainable studio practices beyond the educational context, including the ability to present, write about, and discuss your work.