Interdisciplinary MFA Art program

The USC Roski MFA Art program offers a graduate degree with renowned faculty and peer collaboration within a research university, located in a thriving arts district. One of the key features of USC Roski School graduate programs is the unparalleled access students have across diverse fields of study at USC, 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.  

Led by Director Jennifer West, MFA students work closely with the school’s acclaimed faculty of artists—including Edgar Arceneaux, Nao Bustamante, Patty Chang, Mary Kelly, Suzanne Lacy, Keith Mayerson, Ruben Ochoa, Thomas Mueller and Sherin Guirguis.  Students also have one-on-one access to additional artists, curators and critical thinkers through the Visiting Artists and Scholar Seminars that includes talks, classes, and studio visits. Participants have included Sadie Barnett, Tania Bruguera, Catherine Opie, Rose B. Simpson, Josh Kline, Clara Kim, Gala Porras Kim, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Theaster Gates, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Christine Y Kim, Julie Mehretu, Pepón Osorio, Coco Fusco, Legacy Russell, Candice Lin, Senga Nengudi, Andrea Bowers, Hamza Walker, Pablo José Ramirez, Guadalupe Rosales, Danielle Dean, Rita Gonzalez, Nadya Tolokonnikova and Diana Nawi.

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 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 solo thesis exhibition and written thesis in the spring of the second year. Exhibitions are mounted in the 2,000 s/f Roski Graduate Gallery. 

USC Roski MFA Art 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 artwork, and a public presentation. The Teaching Assistantship comes with some tuition remission, a stipend and health benefits. The Part-Time Lecturer for graduates usually teach/co-teach one to two courses per semester; offering first-hand classroom experience as the instructor of record for a university-level art class at USC Roski. Funding is available on a competitive basis.  

The Graduate Building includes the Roski Graduate Gallery, individual MFA studios, fabrication, edit and maker spaces, and MA and MFA seminar classrooms. 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 and advanced photo lab at the IFT facility adjacent to USC’s main campus. The Graduate building is located in the vibrant Los Angeles Arts District—home to museums, galleries and art spaces.  Within walking distance of the Graduate Building is the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Hauser & Wirth Gallery; and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA.

Alumni include: Kelly Akashi, Jessica Taylor Bellamy, Danie Cansino, Carolina Caycedo, Crenshaw Dairy Mart (Patrisse Cullors, alexander dorrriz, noé olivas), Jibade-Khalil Huffman, Alex Israel, Young Joon Kwak, Elad Lassry, Muna Malik, Paul McCarthy, Nicole Miller, Dianna Molzan, Star Montana, Sarah Rara, Marton Robison, Amanda Ross-Ho, michon sanders, Kenneth Tam and Robert Therrien. 

Upcoming MFA Art 2025 Solo Thesis Exhibition Opening Receptions: Jackie Castillo (January 17), Callianne Jones (January 30), Richard Ffrench (February 13), Elias Hernandez (February 27), Sue Shu (March 13), Kali Victoria (April 3), Kiyo Gutiérrez  (April 17), Leah King (May 1), Donel Williams (May 13).

The application deadline for the MFA Art program is January 15, for fall admission.

The MFA Art Graduate program also has an in person information session on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 5:30pm at the Roski Graduate Building (1262 Palmetto Street, LA Arts District, Los Angeles, California 90013, USA). RSVP here.

Details for admissions and information sessions here or email Antonio Bartolome at anbartol [​at​] usc.edu.