MFA Art and Social Practice at Portland State University
This three-year 90-credit course of study encourages students to shape the direction of their own education and continually develop the program as a whole. Students connect their art practice to research in the field of Social Practice through electives and community partnerships, promoting cross-disciplinary engagement.
Our MFA in Art and Social Practice is a unique combination of individual research, group work, and experiential learning. It offers a blend of critical and professional practice, collaborative social engagement, and transdisciplinary exploration that produces an immersive educational experience. Our flexible residency model allows for travel and even for the ability for students to reside outside of Portland during their course of study while taking classes online.
Graduating students each produce a public graduate project and an in-depth written publication exploring a relevant connection to their practice. They also present a public artist lecture that surveys their work in the program.
Students in the program have exhibited work and created projects for the Whitney Museum of American Art, Betsonsalon in Paris, apexart in New York, the Guggenheim Museum, and The Carnegie International, as well as in various non-art contexts including prisons, public schools, senior facilities, and public parks.
The program accepts approximately five students annually. The deadline for applying is usually in early January. Interested persons are encouraged to make arrangements to visit the program.
As part of the program, a wide range of practices including curation, writing, performance, conceptual art, video, design, and visual/studio art are encouraged within a socially engaged framework.