The Art Institute of Boston | Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts | Low Residency Fine Arts Program

The MFA in Visual Arts program at The Art Institute of Boston provides the ideal solution for artists, teachers, and other professionals in related fields who are seeking advancement in visual arts.  Accredited by both NEASC and NASAD, the MFA program allows students, with the guidance of a faculty mentor and academic advisor, to design their own studio and academic plan for each semester, building on the tradition of collaboration and innovation that characterizes the art programs at AIB and Lesley University.  The MFA program also benefits from the success of Lesley's low-residency model, which meets the diverse needs of adult learners.  The MFA in studio arts is a degree which can advance the careers of artists, teachers, or professionals in other art-related fields.

International, national, and regional accolades.

A Homecoming Spectacle, the documentary film by MFA faculty Sunanda Sanyal, was selected for screening at the 5th Asian Festival of First Films (AFFF) in Singapore: November 28 - December 4. The film has received nominations for Best Documentary and Best Director of Documentary.

For two consecutive years, an AIB MFA student has won the prestigious Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant, awarded to only 10-15 graduating MFA students in painting and sculpture nationwide. Amanda Nelsen received the grant in 2008, and Alison Williams, in 2009.

Alumnae Jane Rainwater, MFA '06, was selected as one of six Radius Artists presented by the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art in 2008.

For additional events and exhibition listings, click here. 

The interdisciplinary focus of the MFA program encourages students to explore the integration of a variety of visual arts media. The MFA in Visual Arts focuses on developing the tools and expertise to refine individual vision. Students advance their study of art history, culture and critical thinking through the rigorous academic components of the program. Students increase their awareness of how their work relates to worldwide traditions of art making. The MFA program broadens the students' knowledge of visual arts as a profession, including relationships with galleries, grant and proposal preparation, public and private commission, and the ongoing development of media and art making tools.

The Curriculum

Over a two-year, four-semester period, students attend 5 intensive 10-day residencies, earning 15 credits per semester. During these intensive residencies, studio work, as outlined in each semester's study plan contract, is evaluated for credit through critiques with faculty, visiting artists and peers. Academic studies are addressed through on-site seminars, lectures, and planning sessions with academic advisers.

• Studio components 48 credits
• Academic components 12 credits
• Total 60 credits

Application Deadlines and Residency Dates:

Students may enter the program in either January or June. Applications must be postmarked by the deadline before the residency of desired entrance. International applicants are advised to submit their applications early.

• October 30, 2009: application deadline for January, 2010 residency. We are accepting applications on a space-available basis for the January 2010 residency until October 30th, 2009. If you are planning to apply for the January residency, please contact Christina at cmurray3@lesley.edu or 617.349.8827 so she can assist you through the process.

Applications are reviewed shortly after the deadline date. For more information and an application for the MFA in Visual Arts program, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at Lesley University 888.LESLEY.U or by email at: info@lesley.edu.

Upcoming Residency dates:

• January 8-17, 2010 (Orientation January 7)
• June 18-27, 2010 (Orientation June 17)