Application deadlines:
January 17, 2017 (MFA Studio and MA Art History), April 1 (MAEd)
Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design
Georgia State University
10 Peachtree Center Avenue
117 Art & Humanities Bldg.
Atlanta, GA 30303
The Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design at Georgia State University features an internationally active faculty and a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for professional careers in art and design. The programs foster critical thinking and dynamic artistic production within an interdisciplinary environment. The school offers an MA in Art History, MA in Education and an MFA in Studio Art with concentrations in Ceramics, Drawing and Painting, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture and Textiles.
–MFA degree that is NASAD accredited
–All MFA students receive full tuition waivers and monthly stipends as part of assistantships
–Numerous MA/MAEd research assistantships are granted with equal benefits
–Graduate assistantships are available for students in the MFA Studio programs, MA in Art History and MAEd programs.
–Eligible for competitive fellowships including the premium Welch Fellowships. The fellowships fund students for the entire three years of study, in addition to the student’s regular stipend and full tuition waiver.
Art fair participation
As a signature real world experience, third year MFA candidates are exposed to international art fairs. This will be the sixth consecutive year for the MFA program to be featured at Aqua Art Miami, and supported with an exhibition catalog authored by art history graduates, and guest essayist Sarah Workneh, Co-Director of Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. This unique opportunity yields career-building experience from curator and collector networking, exhibition leads, as well as art fair planning, management and direct sales.
Welch Visiting Artist and Scholar lecture series
The lecture series provide students with access to a diverse mix of renowned artists and scholars encouraging artistic discourse and leading studio critiques and workshops. Among the visiting artists include Wafaa Bilal, Sonya Clark, Stanley Wolukau-Wanambwa, Nicole Eisenman, Amanda Ross-Ho, Chris Wiley, The Propeller Group, Jaap Blonk, Art Werger and Bethany Collins, among others.
Welch Symposia
Plastic GYRE: Artists, Scientists and Activists Respond in partnership with The David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Plastic Pollution Coalition; an Interdisciplinary Symposium on Creativity and Imagination and the belief that creativity is critical to transformative experiences; and the Welch Symposium on Death—the broadest possible considerations of death, dying, and mortality.
Artists in residence
Recent artists-in-residence included Radcliffe Bailey and João Enxuto and Erica Love.
Partnerships and conferences
The school has partnered with influential art organizations such as the Mid-South Sculpture Alliance, and in spring 2017, the school will co-host the Southern Graphics Council International Conference (SGCI) annual conference—the biggest annual gathering focused on the field of printmaking.
Solo thesis exhibitions and art venues
The Welch Galleries support the curriculum by curating regional, national and international art exhibitions and providing a venue for solo thesis exhibitions. The galleries host presentations and panel discussions, providing students with personal access to professional artists and scholars. Additional art venues include the student-run Cage Space, Gallery 650, and the Edgewood Sculpture Studio for critiques, artist talks and informal exhibitions.
24-hour access
MFA Studio majors are provided with 24-hour access to private & semi-private studio space, which allow for creative exploration and research in their area of study.
Core Faculty
Darien Arikoski-Johnson, George Beasley, Jeffrey Boortz, Kimberly Cleveland, Ryan Crooks, Melanie Davenport, John Decker, William Downs, Craig Dongoski, Craig Drennen, Tim Flowers, Nancy Floyd, Jill Frank, Ralph Gilbert, Maria Gindhart, Glenn Gunhouse, Dawn Haynie, Kevin Hsieh, Jess Jones, Pam Longobardi, Melody Milbrandt, Joe Peragine, Susan Richmond, Jason Snape, Ruth Stanford, Matthew Sugarman, Constance Thalken, Elizabeth Throop, Christina West, Michael White, and Mike Wsol.
Visiting lecturers
Flora Brooke Anthony, Nicole Benner, Lauren Michelle Peterson, John Roberts, Jennifer Siegler, Wesley Terpstra and Catherine Trugman.
Georgia State University is located in downtown Atlanta within a diverse and vibrant urban setting. The campus is in proximity to prestigious art institutions such as the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Contemporary, and a solid network of commercial galleries, alternative spaces and grassroots artist organizations.
For information, please visit artdesign.gsu.edu or contact Graduate Director, Craig Drennen, at T 404 413 5256 or [email protected]
