Call for applications: MFA Art

Graduate information sessions include a virtual program overview, introduction of faculty, and tour of the Arts District graduate building. Sessions are offered November 3 and December 1.  Register here. 

Renowned faculty and peer collaboration within a world class research university in Los Angeles.

One of the key features of USC Roski School graduate programs is the unparalleled access students have across diverse fields of study at the University of Southern California, which is one of the world’s leading research universities, and home to 19 professional schools and five art schools. These electives offer a broader platform for interdisciplinary experimentation and provide expansive possibilities for complementary fields of study. 

USC Roski MFA Art candidates work with renowned faculty from two programs, MA Curatorial Practices and MFA Art; forming well-rounded and informed practices. In addition to the USC Roski faculty, students have one-on-one access to additional artists, performers, curators and critical thinkers through the Visiting Artists and Scholar Seminars that includes talks, classes, and studio visits. Participants have included Tania Bruguera, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Cecilia Fajardo-Hill, Theaster Gates, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Julie Mehretu, Pepón Osorio, Coco Fusco, Legacy Russell, Candice Lin, Senga Nengudi, Julio Cesar Morales and Crenshaw Dairy Mart Artists.

Roski MFA Art graduate candidates benefit by working side by side in a new facility designed to encourage an open exchange of ideas, knowledge and experiences. The graduate programs facility includes the Roski Graduate Gallery, individual MFA studios,  fabrication, edit and maker spaces, and MA and MFA seminar classrooms.

The building is located in the vibrant Los Angeles Arts District—home to dozens of museums, galleries, art spaces and artists. Within walking distance of the Graduate Building is the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Hauser & Wirth Gallery; and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. 

MFA Art students also have access to a woodshop, sculpture area, ceramics studio, and photography labs, media equipment at USC Roski’s main campus facilities; as well as an outdoor fabrication space, graduate woodshop and advanced photo lab at the IFT facility adjacent to USC’s main campus.

MFA Art
Expand your practice in a cross-disciplinary program in the thriving LA Arts District. The USC Roski MFA Art program embraces a multidisciplinary approach to artmaking that maximizes a student’s studio experience, with a focus on analytical dialogue as provided by regular individual studio visits with faculty and visiting artists. Group critiques with student peers also play an important part in building relationships, collaborations, and expressive strategies. 

The program culminates with an MFA graduate thesis exhibition and written thesis in the spring of the second year. Exhibitions may be mounted in the new Roski Graduate Gallery a well-appointed 2,000 s/f space with moveable walls and roll-up doors for installation of large-scale works. The gallery features a wall of windows allowing for greater public visibility.

USC Roski MFA Art also offers competitive opportunities that extend beyond the classrooms and studios. The Macomber Travel Grant award supports projects involving research-based travel, the production of new art work, and a public presentation. The Teaching Assistantship awarded in ones’ second year, which comes with some tuition remission, a stipend and health benefits. And the Post-MFA Visiting Scholar includes the teaching of two undergraduate studio courses (one per semester); offering first-hand classroom experience as the instructor of record for a university-level art class at USC Roski.

Led by Director Jennifer West, MFA students work closely with the school’s internationally acclaimed faculty of artists—including Edgar Arceneaux, Nao Bustamante, Patty Chang, Mary Kelly, Suzanne Lacy, Keith Mayerson, Thomas Mueller, and Ruben Ochoa.

Alumni include: Kelly Akashi, Carolina Caycedo, Crenshaw Dairy Mart (with Patrisse Cullors, Alexander Dorrriz and noé olivas), Tyler Coburn, Amanda Ross Ho, Jibade-Khalil Huffman, Alex Israel, Young Joon Kwak, Elad Lassry, Emily Mast, Nicole Miller, Dianna Molzan, Sarah Rara, Kenneth Tam

Funding is available on a competitive basis. For more details, contact: anbartol [​at​] usc.edu