10 Peachtree Center Ave. SE
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
United States
The Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design, of the College of the Arts 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 Art Education, MAT and MAEd in Art 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 and 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, professional experience, third year MFA candidates are exposed to international art fairs, given the opportunity to travel and exhibit. This will be the seventh consecutive year for the MFA program to be featured at Aqua Art Miami, and supported with an exhibition catalog authored by a guest essayist, artist Julian Hoeber. 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 year-round calendar of lectures provides 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 Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Wafaa Bilal, Julian Hoeber, Marlene McCarty, Mark Scala, Stanley Wolukau-Wanambwa, Nicole Eisenman, Amanda Ross-Ho, Chris Wiley, The Propeller Group, Jaap Blonk, Art Werger and Bethany Collins, among others.
Artists in residence
Every two years, an artist is invited to teach and work at the school as a part of the Welch artist-in-residence program. Recent artists-in-residence have included Radcliffe Bailey and João Enxuto with Erica Love.
Partnerships and conferences
In the past year alone, the school has partnered with influential art organizations such as the Mid-South Sculpture Alliance and co-hosted the 2017 Southern Graphics Council International Conference (SGCI) annual conference. This fall of 2017, the school partnered with Atlanta Celebrates Photography, the High Museum of Art, and CENCIA to bring an internationally acclaimed group of photographers to the Welch galleries and on campus for dialogue, a panel discussion, and in-class critiques. Artists involved included Cheryle Pope, Pixy Liao, Deborah Bright, and Marilyn Minter. In November, the school will also partner with the online arts publication, BURNAWAY, for its inaugural and multi-disciplinary MFA open studio night.
Thesis exhibitions and art venues
The Welch Galleries support the curriculum by curating regional, national, and international art exhibitions throughout the year, while providing a venue for 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. Graduating Welch MFA’s also have the opportunity to have solo exhibitions at the Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs Gallery 72, the municipally owned art gallery located in the heart of downtown.
Off-campus programs
In summer 2017 the school took students to the Venice Biennial, Documenta 14, and the Münster Skulptur Projekte. The Art & Education program also hosts a recurring summer semester in China.
Location
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, MOCA GA, and a solid network of commercial galleries, alternative spaces, and grassroots artist organizations. Alumni, faculty, and students are very involved in the expanding and ever-evolving scene of the international hub, having founded a number of artist-run organizations, nonprofits, and creative publications.
24-hour access & studio spaces
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, 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, and Michael White
Visiting Lecturers
Nicole Benner, Katherine Cunningham, Meta Gary, Rebecca Howard, Stephanie Kolply, Lauren Michelle Peterson, Neill Prewitt, Jennifer Siegler, and Catherine Trugman
For information and to apply
Please visit artdesign.gsu.edu or contact Graduate Director, Craig Drennen, at T 404 413 5256 or adrennen@gsu.edu
