Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art


The MFA program at Winthrop University is a full-time studio art program that develops and nurtures the artist's voice. Winthrop's Department of Fine Arts engages artists who can navigate ideas of the contemporary world. The MFA in Studio Art program demands focused research in traditional, interdisciplinary or emerging practices in visual and conceptual art.

Graduate Program Coordinator:
Stephanie Sutton
suttons@winthrop.edu 
803/323-3429


Why Winthrop?

A photo of student Anna Dean's solo multi-media exhibition

Graduate Assistantships

Students have the opportunity to work in the Department of Fine Arts and other areas of campus as graduate assistants and associates.

Group of people in discussion standing around a sculpture

NASAD Accredited

The Winthrop University M.F.A. in Studio Art program satisfies the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) accreditation standards.

A person welding a curved sculpture

Private Studios

M.F.A. students have their own semi-private studio and access to a range of 2D and 3D studio spaces and to the CreatorSpace, the College of Visual and Performing Arts Maker-Space.


Click below to learn more about the program!

    Focused on an interdisciplinary approach to the studio arts, MFA students have their own semi-private studios, access to a range of 2D and 3D studio spaces, and access to the CreatorSpace, the College of Visual and Performing Arts Maker-Space. This program is determined to progress from very narrow specializations and instead, educate students to move fluidly between different media to create a diverse body of innovative creative work.


    Time to completion: 2 years
    Total Credits: 60
    Format: Campus-based 
    Curriculum (MFA - Studio program)

      Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art Deadline: Rolling admission for Spring and Fall semester starts.

      Application requirements for the Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art program include:

      • Submit an online Graduate Studies application for admission and non-refundable application fee.
      • Have official transcript(s) sent from all institutions you attended for undergraduate and graduate coursework. Transcripts must be sent directly to Winthrop's Graduate Studies office from the issuing institution(s).
      • Have an overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
      • Submit a written statement of purpose reflective of their creative and research goals. As writing and communication skills are vital to a candidate's success, this is an important component of the application. The statement should be 1,000 words or less and indicate how they envision their work developing, how it relates to contemporary art practices, and why it is important to pursue a graduate degree.
      • Submit a CV or resume.
      • Have three original letters of recommendation submitted directly from art and design professionals.
      • Submit a digital portfolio in PDF format containing up to 20 digital images or media files of the applicant’s strongest work. The artwork should demonstrate the applicant’s point of view through bodies of work and/or show the development of an idea over time. All works should be labeled with title, materials/medium, date, and size of artwork. A brief description (150 characters) may also be included, if necessary.
      • Arrange and participate in an admissions interview with the MFA advisor and appropriate Fine Arts faculty. The MFA advisor's contact information is: Stephanie Sutton, 803/323-3429, suttons@winthrop.edu.

 


Beyond Graduation

Devann Gardner posing with her art

"Having a small faculty to student ratio was exactly what I was looking for in a grad school, and Winthrop turned out to be perfect in receiving the feedback I needed as a hands-on learner who talks through their thoughts among peers and a committee."

 

Recent graduates of our MFA program currently work in a variety of places, including:

  • York County Arts Council
  • Art and Light Gallery
  • McColl Center
  • Fort Mill Schools
  • Winthrop University
  • Gardner-Webb University
  • Wofford College
  • Central Piedmont Community College

Our graduates have also won many awards, public commissions, and grants from:

  • Art Pop! Street Gallery
  • Levine Children's Hospital
  • Hambright Park and Ride
  • Rail Trail Lights
  • Miracle Park
  • Atrium Health

 

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