Call for applications: MFA in Art Photography

The faculty at Syracuse University’s MFA art photography program has built a dynamic program that appreciates the ways in which photography as a contemporary art has transformed in the past two decades. The dramatic expansion of the parameters of photographic practices and increasingly global nature of the contemporary art world necessitates an educational environment that prepares students for entirely new challenges and opportunities. Our MFA students are offered access to professional residencies in Los Angeles and Berlin; interdisciplinary courses that braid diverse ideas and practices; state-of-the-art equipment and lighting studios; and significant investments in curriculum and facilities to ensure students are unencumbered to pursue their creative passions.

We are acutely aware of the financial burdens of graduate education and have generous tuition discounts, scholarship, and teaching positions available. Graduate students admitted to the program benefit from substantial financial assistance and can receive up to 10,000 USD per year of study. Many of our students also receive teaching assistantships and hourly paid positions. 

Our faculty (Doug DuBois, Laura Heyman, Yasser Aggour, and Susannah Sayler) is a diverse group of working artists who have a comprehensive knowledge of contemporary photography and are experienced in documentary, video, conceptual, and performance art, as well as curatorial practices. Together with our students, we have created an academic environment that is intellectually rigorous yet supportive. Recent graduates of the program have participated in numerous exhibitions and received awards, residencies, and academic appointments, including a Guggenheim fellowship and a MacArthur “genius” grant.

Students benefit from our close partnership with Light Work, housed on the Syracuse campus. As one of the world’s leading photo institutes, Light Work organizes exhibitions, residencies, lectures, and workshops and publishes Contact Sheet. Our graduate students are granted 24-hour access to one of the nation’s leading photo production facilities and on any given day may be working alongside major international artists. Light Work is an invaluable intellectual, professional, and technical resource unique to Syracuse University. 

Between the contemporary programing at Light Work and our visiting artist program, our students receive mentoring from some of the art world’s leading artists and curators. Recent visitors include Collier Schorr, Lucas Blalock, Jessie Darling, Gregory Halpern, Deanna Lawson, Alex Klein, Richard Rinaldi, Peter Barbarie, An-My Lê, Jason Fulford, Alec Soth, Laurel Ptak, Leigh Ledare, Elinor Carucci, Penelope Umbrico, Kim Bourus, Dana Lixenberg, Zoe Strauss, and Carrie Mae Weems, among others.

In addition, MFA candidates have the opportunity to visit and participate in exhibitions at a number of internationally recognized venues, including the Everson Museum, SUArt Galleries, and Urban Video Project.

Applications for fall 2018 admission to our MFA program are now available online. The final deadline for applications is February 1.