MASTERS OF ART DIPLOMA
IN VISUAL ART
IN VISUAL ART
Overview
The goal of this Master’s Diploma program is to assist each artist in the further development of a personal artistic vision and working practice that can be continued after the conclusion of the program. This eight month long intensive program offers post-graduate participants and practicing artists the opportunity to work in a professional environment while receiving valuable feedback through critiques. Post-graduate students are helped to make the transition from a structured academic curriculum to an established working practice. The program is for artists building their portfolios for admission to graduate MFA programs and for working artists looking for the opportunity to build a body of work and begin their careers as professional artists.
Applicants
Applicants to this program must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. A degree in studio art is not required however applicants must submit a portfolio of images and a statement of purpose. This program is open to artists working in any medium.
Program Structure
The program is divided into two parts. The first four months are dedicated to studio work, intense critique, art theory, portfolio seminar, participation in collaborative exhibition and the development of a thesis proposal. During the second half of the program is students produce the work proposed in their thesis culminating in a solo exhibition in one of the SRISA gallery spaces or in other spaces around Florence. In addition, each artist develops a written statement as part of their thesis. Each participant is provided with a shared studio/work-place. During the first four months participants are paired with a local artist mentor who will provide feedback through studios critiques. Throughout the program visiting artists are invited for critiques and studio visits. Frequent exhibitions in the SRISA gallery provide an active artistic community and participants are invited to meet visiting artists with the opportunity for collaboration.
Support Courses
Program participants attend three support courses, two during the first part of the program and one in the second half of the program. Courses can include: Printmaking, Photography, Book Arts, Drawing, Painting, Jewelry Design, Batik, Silk Screen, Art History, History, Italian Cinema and more.
Portfolio Seminar
Participants will be guided through seminars to help consolidate their current practice into a working portfolio that may be used for a variety of purposes: from preparing graduate school applications (MFA or MA) and for artist’s residencies or for funding specific projects. The aim of the seminar is thus to fine tune participants’ work into a portfolio that MFA program application reviewers or art professionals can navigate easily due to clarity of form and content. In addition, participants will learn how to translate the visual language of their art into a written language that coincides with their practice, which is a fundamental aspect for any young artist wishing to present their art in today’s world.
Topics in Contemporary Art
The critical theory component of the program is an essential element of the participant’s practice. Participants will be encouraged to consider theory as a way to become an inspired and autonomously creative thinker and practitioner. In addition, they will have the opportunity to study with art curators and other theorists in order to fully comprehend the role theory plays in the international field of art and culture. These art theory seminars are held throughout both the first and second sessions of the program.
Master’s Thesis
Participants use the last four months of the program to develop their written thesis and all the work for the solo exhibition. During this time artists will be expected to keep a full-time studio schedule. Meetings with the program coordinator, and talks with visiting artists and curators help challenge each artist, as he or she must be able to discuss with confidence the work being produced.
Faculty Supervisor
Andrew Smaldone, Program Coordinator
Visiting Artists and Mentors
SRISA invites visiting professionals in the sector to come to the campus to share their experience and working knowledge. These artists and mentors include but are not limited to: Paolo Parisi, Wolfgang Berkowski, T-yong Chung, Elioise Ghioni, Regan Wheat, Justin Randolf Thompson, Robert Petena, Amy Worthen, Dennis Olsen, Meredith Dean.
Visiting Art Critics and Curators
SRISA invites visiting professionals in the sector to come to the campus to share their experience and working knowledge. These artists and mentors include but are not limited to: Lorenzo Bruni, Daria Filardo.
Catalog
A catalog of all the work for the exhibition and for the program will be produced in collaboration with the program coordinator and participants. This catalog is a valuable documentation of the program.
Application Process
Applicants should complete the online application and submit the following items:
15-20 Images
Personal Statement
Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Reference
College Transcripts
Tuition & Dates
September 2011 – April 2012, Tuition: 7,000 Euro
September 2012 – April 2013, Tuition: TBA
Activities and Field Trips
An Activity Fee of 200 Euro includes
• Welcome Dinner • Museum Card • 2 Field Trips • Farewell Banquet
Excursion to a Tuscan Villa (Fall Program only)
Program participants will be invited to stay in the Director’s home in the Tuscan hillside. This one-week jaunt into the Tuscan landscape will help serve as a break from the busy city. The quiet time in the countryside is the perfect place to draw, photograph, read and take long walks. Artists will be asked to intervene in a site-specific work that considers the natural landscape. Dining will be a hands-on experience where participants are invited to assist in the preparation of traditional Italian cuisine. Meals, lodgings, and transportation are included.
The goal of this Master’s Diploma program is to assist each artist in the further development of a personal artistic vision and working practice that can be continued after the conclusion of the program. This eight month long intensive program offers post-graduate participants and practicing artists the opportunity to work in a professional environment while receiving valuable feedback through critiques. Post-graduate students are helped to make the transition from a structured academic curriculum to an established working practice. The program is for artists building their portfolios for admission to graduate MFA programs and for working artists looking for the opportunity to build a body of work and begin their careers as professional artists.
Applicants
Applicants to this program must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. A degree in studio art is not required however applicants must submit a portfolio of images and a statement of purpose. This program is open to artists working in any medium.
Program Structure
The program is divided into two parts. The first four months are dedicated to studio work, intense critique, art theory, portfolio seminar, participation in collaborative exhibition and the development of a thesis proposal. During the second half of the program is students produce the work proposed in their thesis culminating in a solo exhibition in one of the SRISA gallery spaces or in other spaces around Florence. In addition, each artist develops a written statement as part of their thesis. Each participant is provided with a shared studio/work-place. During the first four months participants are paired with a local artist mentor who will provide feedback through studios critiques. Throughout the program visiting artists are invited for critiques and studio visits. Frequent exhibitions in the SRISA gallery provide an active artistic community and participants are invited to meet visiting artists with the opportunity for collaboration.
Support Courses
Program participants attend three support courses, two during the first part of the program and one in the second half of the program. Courses can include: Printmaking, Photography, Book Arts, Drawing, Painting, Jewelry Design, Batik, Silk Screen, Art History, History, Italian Cinema and more.
Portfolio Seminar
Participants will be guided through seminars to help consolidate their current practice into a working portfolio that may be used for a variety of purposes: from preparing graduate school applications (MFA or MA) and for artist’s residencies or for funding specific projects. The aim of the seminar is thus to fine tune participants’ work into a portfolio that MFA program application reviewers or art professionals can navigate easily due to clarity of form and content. In addition, participants will learn how to translate the visual language of their art into a written language that coincides with their practice, which is a fundamental aspect for any young artist wishing to present their art in today’s world.
Topics in Contemporary Art
The critical theory component of the program is an essential element of the participant’s practice. Participants will be encouraged to consider theory as a way to become an inspired and autonomously creative thinker and practitioner. In addition, they will have the opportunity to study with art curators and other theorists in order to fully comprehend the role theory plays in the international field of art and culture. These art theory seminars are held throughout both the first and second sessions of the program.
Master’s Thesis
Participants use the last four months of the program to develop their written thesis and all the work for the solo exhibition. During this time artists will be expected to keep a full-time studio schedule. Meetings with the program coordinator, and talks with visiting artists and curators help challenge each artist, as he or she must be able to discuss with confidence the work being produced.
Faculty Supervisor
Andrew Smaldone, Program Coordinator
Visiting Artists and Mentors
SRISA invites visiting professionals in the sector to come to the campus to share their experience and working knowledge. These artists and mentors include but are not limited to: Paolo Parisi, Wolfgang Berkowski, T-yong Chung, Elioise Ghioni, Regan Wheat, Justin Randolf Thompson, Robert Petena, Amy Worthen, Dennis Olsen, Meredith Dean.
Visiting Art Critics and Curators
SRISA invites visiting professionals in the sector to come to the campus to share their experience and working knowledge. These artists and mentors include but are not limited to: Lorenzo Bruni, Daria Filardo.
Catalog
A catalog of all the work for the exhibition and for the program will be produced in collaboration with the program coordinator and participants. This catalog is a valuable documentation of the program.
Application Process
Applicants should complete the online application and submit the following items:
15-20 Images
Personal Statement
Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Reference
College Transcripts
Tuition & Dates
September 2011 – April 2012, Tuition: 7,000 Euro
September 2012 – April 2013, Tuition: TBA
Activities and Field Trips
An Activity Fee of 200 Euro includes
• Welcome Dinner • Museum Card • 2 Field Trips • Farewell Banquet
Excursion to a Tuscan Villa (Fall Program only)
Program participants will be invited to stay in the Director’s home in the Tuscan hillside. This one-week jaunt into the Tuscan landscape will help serve as a break from the busy city. The quiet time in the countryside is the perfect place to draw, photograph, read and take long walks. Artists will be asked to intervene in a site-specific work that considers the natural landscape. Dining will be a hands-on experience where participants are invited to assist in the preparation of traditional Italian cuisine. Meals, lodgings, and transportation are included.
- Excursion fee: 400 Euro
Santa Reparata International School of Art, SRISA - Via
San Gallo, 53r Florence Italy,
info@santareparata.org
Copyright (c) 2011