MFA in Art & Social Practice

The Art & Social Practice MFA Program at Sam Houston State University welcomes applications for fall 2025. Apply by January 7th 2025 for priority consideration. The three-year, 60 credit Art & Social Practice MFA is a dynamic and innovative program in Texas that expands artistic practice into the social realm by exploring community engagement, collaboration, and participation. Students in this program are encouraged to explore the social role of art using interdisciplinary, collaborative, process-based, and community-based strategies. The curriculum is designed position students in leadership roles within their communities, and prepares students to be a professional artist in one of the most exciting emergent fields in contemporary art: social practice. The program and prepares students to teach in higher education. Competitive Graduate Assistantships and Graduate Teaching Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis to students who apply by the early priority deadline.

Priority application deadline: January 7, 2025
Deadline: March 25, 2025

Facilities
MFA students are provided with individual private studios in the Natural Science and Art Research Center (NSARC). The NSARC is located near downtown Huntsville in the former Huntsville High School building. The 1937 building was renovated in 2021 to include graduate studios, galleries, and community meeting rooms for students to conduct classes, workshops, and meet with community organizations. The building also houses SHSU’s collection of Natural History specimens and museum. MFA students also have access to and use of the facilities in the new 75000 sq. ft. Dana G. Hoyt Fine Arts Building. Built in 2019, the Hoyt Art Building has state of the art ventilation, equipment, and digital labs for sculpture, photography, printmaking, animation, and graphic design. Additionally, The SHSU Center for Community Engagement is available to assist students with community partnerships.

Visiting artists & field trips
The program hosts renown visiting artists to interact with students through projects, artist talks, and studio visits. 

Some of our invited experts have included artists and curators Mark Menjívar, Jon Rubin, John Spiak, Rachel Adams, Ashley DeHoyos, Shavon Morris, and Deborah Fisher. Students have also participated in program field trips that have introduced them leading art institutions and professionals in Houston, Galveston, San Antonio, Dallas, and New York City.

Core faculty in the Art & Social Practice MFA program: Jody Wood (Graduate Coordinator), Rebecca Finley (Department Chair), Jess Simorte, Melissa Mednicov, and Michael Henderson. Students also have opportunities to work with additional faculty in the Department of Art in studio art, photography, animation, education, and graphic design.

Funding
In addition to competitive Graduate Assistantships, a select number of scholarships are available from the University, the College of Arts and Media, and the Department of Art. Out of state and international students may be eligible for in state tuition. The Assistantships and Scholarships offered offset the cost of tuition and make SHSU’s MFA in Art & Social Practice an affordable program.

Application
We welcome applicants with a BFA in art, or a BA in another discipline if the applicant demonstrates a track record of interdisciplinary creative research. Application materials include:

–Graduate Admissions Application (submitted online through ApplyTexas.org)
–Application fee
–Official transcript from undergraduate degree granting institution

Supplemental materials specific to Art and Social Practice:
–Resume or CV
–Three letters of recommendation
–Digital portfolio provided via link to Dropbox, Google Drive, Vimeo, or other website(s) where work can be viewed

Statement of Intent describing:
–Your artistic background and experience
–Your interest in art as a social practice
–What you hope to achieve in this MFA program

For more information on the program, available scholarships, and how to apply online, visit here. Contact Jody Wood, jodywood [​at​] shsu.edu with questions.