from The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists | A Note to Readers – Upcoming Features

This post is taken from my crafthaus blog "The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists" and was originally posted on March 25, 2013. To view the blog in its entirety along with reader comments, visit my Group on crafthaus, or join to stay updated: http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/mfaguidebook

Dear readers,

Thank you for your patience as I chip away at this extensive topic! It is my goal to deliver valuable, well-researched, well-thought-out advice to all of you, so frequency of posts sometimes suffers. However, we are now nearing the coveted summer break (i.e. more blog writing time) and I want to share with you some ideas I have for the near future:

1. Faculty survey. As I began to write my article titled, “Demystifying the Portfolio,” I realized it was still somewhat of a mystery to me! I decided to create a survey on SurveyMonkey.com regarding the portfolio, along with some other admissions questions, to be completed by MFA faculty across the country. This way, participants can answer questions without feeling the pressure of being quoted. This survey will be coming soon! If you are current or former MFA faculty in studio art I would love to have your participation!

2. MFA Interviews. I want to conduct interviews of fellow studio craft MFA students to be posted on this blog. The written interviews will discuss the interviewee’s artwork, studio practices, future career plans and advice for prospective students, along with three to five images of work. To find the interviewees I will create an open call where any second- or third-year MFA student can apply for an interview, and selection will be on a first-come, first-served basis rather than via a jurying process. The focus of these interviews will be to develop a supportive community of emerging artists and a space to display work as a starting point for conversation, rather than a competition to be the “best”. As a current MFA student I often struggle to find this sense of community in our increasingly digitalized world outside of my own university.

If anyone would like to add to these two ideas or request a topic to be covered, please let me know in the comments section below! I would love to hear your questions, feedback and input!

~Jessica

from The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists | Financial Breakdown, Part II: Paying for It

This post is taken from my crafthaus blog "The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists" and was originally posted on February 23, 2012. To view the blog in its entirety along with reader comments, visit my Group on crafthaus, or join to stay updated: http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/mfaguidebook

FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN, PART II: PAYING FOR IT

Again, I just can't help myself with the puns.

This is the other half of the financial equation: You now know your expenses, so how will you pay for them? Like many college graduates, when I decided I wanted to go back to school I still had undergraduate loans to pay off. I knew that racking up too much debt would be detrimental to my future career and could even outweigh the benefits of attending an MFA program altogether. I considered several options to keep costs low and support myself financially: Live with my parents and attend a university nearby, attend a two-year program to get in and out quickly, choose a university in an area with a low cost of living, work at the university to receive reduced tuition rates, get an assistantship, earn scholarships or work a part-time job. In the end I chose a university in an area with a low cost of living and one where I received a Graduate Teaching Assistantship to pay for tuition plus a small monthly stipend. For extra income during the semester I sell my jewelry at small retail shows, local galleries and on Etsy. Along with picking up part-time jobs during breaks from school, this combination has allowed me to get by without taking out any student loans. There are times I wish I had the extra cushion but I know it is only a false sense of financial security that will need to be paid back plus interest. That being said, student loan debt is likely a better option than credit card debt or homelessness, so if you do need to take out loans, just remember to do as conservatively as possible.

After you calculate your expenses in Part I, break down how you will pay for these costs:

1. Scholarships and Grants – Sometimes it can be hard to motivate yourself to apply when it seems like a long shot, but somebody is going to receive them and that person could be you! This is money you do not have to pay back, a.k.a. the best kind of money there is! Many universities offer grants to their own students and provide information on outside sources online. Graduate Student Senates often offer travel and research grants to graduate students. Scholarship opportunities are frequently posted on websites such aswww.callforentry.org, Crafthaus and various craft organizations’ websites. Snoop around for scholarships specific to your field and keep a calendar of approaching deadlines.

2. Financial Aid – Having completed your undergraduate degree you are likely familiar with Financial Aid. Whether you plan on applying for aid or not, be sure to complete your FAFSA. Doing so may qualify you for certain need-based grants or scholarships. Keep in mind that graduate students are no longer eligible for Subsidized Federal loans, which are the lovely kind of magical loans that do not accrue interest during grace periods. Unfortunately we are only eligible for the interest-accruing sort, and interest can be shockingly high in comparison to your original loan amount. Tread ever-so-carefully when it comes to taking out loans. I can’t tell you the number of times I've heard someone exclaim, “I can go out tonight – my student loan came through!” Every time that thought crosses your mind, remember that five years from now your $30 night out is going to cost you about $50, along with every subsequent dollar you spent over your two- to three-year stint. If you can’t avoid loans, at least be as thrifty as possible when taking them out: Do not use them as an excuse not to apply for scholarships, get a job or live frugally. The “You” five years from now will thank you for the financial freedom to pursue the career you came for in the first place.

3. Assistantships – There are a lot of schools that offer full and partial assistantships to graduate students that may be in your department or in another department. Assistantships may cover 50-100% of tuition and some fees and may include a monthly stipend. Be sure to look into the exact reward for each program when calculating costs. There are Teaching Assistantships (like mine) where you simultaneously gain teaching experience, valuable especially if you plan to teach in the future. If you are interested in a TAship, ask which classes you will be assigned. Many programs have TA’s teach foundation courses such as 2D or 3D Composition, while others allow you to teach courses in your field. Find out if you will have a section of a larger class that meets less frequently or if you will be teaching the full class and how much responsibility you’ll have over the curriculum. This should match your comfort level as well. Part of the reason I chose my program is that I am able to teach in Jewelry/Metals, including upper-level classes. This is both stimulating for me and great on my resume. Other assistantship opportunities may be as a Research Assistant with a faculty member (a great learning and networking opportunity), assisting in studio maintenance and ordering (this is also a part of my job as a TA), or an assistantship with an on-campus gallery (great if you are interested in gallery work). An assistantship is an ideal way to bolster your resume while paying for school, but keep in mind the huge number of hours you will need to commit to your duties and your studio each week.

4. Working at the University – Some universities, usually public, offer reduced or free tuition to employees. Benefits may vary based on position and full- or part-time status but it’s worth looking into. Make sure that you speak to the program faculty about the number of hours you’ll need to commit to per week and if they have a time limit on completing your degree in case this implores fewer credit hours per semester.

5. In-State Tuition – Look at public schools in your state for reduced tuition rates based on your residency. Also, unlike undergrad programs, you will probably be able to establish residency at an out-of-state school during your first year of grad school and apply for the reduced tuition rates your second and third year. Be sure to look into how to do this right away.

6. Family Support – This loan may come with a high interest rate of prolonged parental control and unsolicited advice, but it could be a good option. If your parents are willing to fork over some cash to help with school, consider accepting. Even if you pay them back it most likely won’t be at the interest rate of federal or private loans.

7. Part-time Job – Most college campuses have a lot of options for part-time jobs with flexible hours to accommodate their student applicant pool. Just be prepared to put in a lot of hours between coursework, studio hours and your job.

8. Sell Yourself! – Your greatest resource is yourself! You can take this idea literally and head to the Plasma bank or model for a figure drawing class, or you can use your own best asset – your artistic skill – to make extra money. Whether it’s setting up an Etsy shop, making contacts at local galleries or getting fellow students together to do an art sale on campus, why not earn money doing what you do best? Not only can you make your own hours and be your own boss but you’re also improving your skillset, building a customer base, networking, finding out what sells, gaining confidence and learning valuable lessons about earning money in your field. Personally, this is my favorite way to make money. It gives me a taste of the career I’m working toward and I get to see people excited about what I do!

In conclusion, calculate your potential expenses and income for each program before you decide so that your final decision is an educated one. Once you do, be prepared to pare down on frivolous expenses and work your butt off for the next few years. And on those days when you want to throw in the towel and give up, remember that you’re doing what you love and that’s a whole lot more than most people can say.

As always, I welcome and encourage comments below! 

Below: Me at my first retail show, the Pleiades Annual Show and Sale in Bethesda, MD; Some of my retail jewelry; Fellow grad student Lori Gipson with our KSU Jewelry/Metals Co-op table at Akron Art Museum; Me and my fellow TA's after a long day cleaning the studio

from The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists | Financial Breakdown, Part I: Expenses

This post is taken from my crafthaus blog "The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists" and was originally posted on November 6, 2012. To view the blog in its entirety along with reader comments, visit my Group on crafthaus, or join to stay updated: http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/mfaguidebook

FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN, PART I: EXPENSES

Pun intended. Money is a huge consideration when deciding whether or not to go into a graduate program and subsequently which program to attend; it can be a major source of stress and anxiety. As artists we cannot (typically) count on a big payday immediately after graduating to pay back loads of student loans. I have seen MFA students graduate only to go back to unrelated jobs similar to those they had before graduate school because of the pressures of looming student loan payments. Doing so can cause those graduates to lose the momentum gained through their thesis work and leaves them with massive debt and a fading dream of getting back into the art world. Planning ahead before you decide on a program will help you to stay on top of your finances and better serve the education and future career you are literally investing in.

In Part I of this discussion I will break down expected costs:

• Tuition and Fees (per semester or academic year) – Make sure you are adding up all of the little extras that get thrown onto your bill – activity fees, art fees, payment plan fees, etc. – universities can be tricky! If you receive an assistantship, check to see how much of your tuition is paid for (a 20-hour appointment will usually pay 100% and a 10-hour appointment 50%). You may still need to pay academic fees, which can be a considerable amount of money.
• Materials (per semester) – This will depend heavily on the type of work you do and the materials you typically use. For example, if you are a jeweler who uses a lot of silver, stones or specialized equipment you will want to take those costs into consideration. This may also include a computer, printer or software. Find out what tools, equipment and materials each program provides its students and what you will need to provide for yourself.
• Books (per semester) – If a program requires you to take Art History, look into the price of required texts by searching the course reserves and the university bookstore.
• Housing (per month) – Look at prices for on- and off-campus housing for each university. This will vary greatly by location. A studio apartment in New York City can be somewhere around $1500 a month whereas a one-bedroom in the Midwest could be as low as $200. That is a big difference, especially when you add it up over two to three years. Consider the cost of furniture too. If living with parents or relatives is an option it may well be worth the small sacrifice of independence!
• Utilities (per month) – Gas, water and electric will vary slightly by location so you may need to approximate. Reducing your use of air conditioning, heating and electricity will help keep those costs low (and help the environment!). Add up your monthly cell phone, internet and cable bills (also vary by location). Consider forgoing cable or internet and choosing a cheaper cell phone plan.
• Transportation (per month) – Living close to campus and walking or biking will reduce these costs but also may mean higher rent. Calculate transportation costs versus rent ahead of time to decide which is the best option. If you are using public transportation, calculate a monthly budget. If you plan on driving, remember to consider car insurance, car payments, gas and on-campus parking. If the university is far from family or a significant other, add up the costs of travel for visits and holidays.
• Health Insurance and Medical Expenses (per month) –If you are under 26 and a full-time student you are likely eligible to stay on your parents’ health insurance. Universities usually offer discounted health insurance and health care to students and Graduate Assistants. Graduate Assistants are typically required to have health insurance.
• Personal (per month) – This includes food, clothing, toiletries, entertainment, travel, conferences, credit card payments and any additional expenses you may have in your life (significant other, children, etc.). These costs can be kept to a minimum with mindful budgeting and cautious spending habits but should be calculated realistically into your total expenses.

Add up all of these costs within the timespan of a year. Create a financial picture of each university you are considering by adjusting the expenses that vary by location such as tuition and rent. Subtract any funding you have received, hope to receive or need to receive in order to attend that program. For a two-year program, multiply the total number by two and for a three-year program by three. You may be surprised by the numbers you come up with! Once you have all of this information in one place you will be able to use it to create a budget in conjunction with your income or loans once you decide on a program.

Part II of Financial Breakdown will discuss the various ways you can pay for these expenses. And, as always, I welcome and encourage comments below!

from The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists | The Application Process, Part I: The Nitty Gritty

This post is taken from my crafthaus blog "The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists" and was originally posted on September 18, 2012. To view the blog in its entirety along with reader comments, visit my Group on crafthaus, or join to stay updated: http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/mfaguidebook

THE APPLICATION PROCESS, PART I: THE NITTY GRITTY

There’s much more to the MFA application process than submitting your portfolio. There are a number of important steps to complete before your work reaches the eyes of the faculty. Fulfilling all of the requirements properly before deadlines pass is essential.

You will likely be applying to more than one university, or rather, you should be. Based on my experience and advice I’ve received, somewhere in the three to five range is good. This allows you to keep your options open as you learn more about each program through the application and interview processes and increases your chances of acceptance and funding (by means of probability and experience!). Multiple applications can become confusing because each university’s application process will vary so it’s important to keep all requirements and deadlines straight.

Most universities will require that you send materials to: A. the Graduate School and B. the School of Art/Art Department/College of Art/smaller entity in the university that houses your program (I will refer to this as the “department”). To clarify, the Graduate School is an overarching administrative entity that encompasses all graduate programs at that university. The Graduate School will make sure that base or minimum guidelines for admission have been fulfilled, such as transcripts showing a completed Bachelor’s degree and minimum GPA, a paid application fee and confirmation that all application materials have been submitted by the deadline. Their task is similar to that of Undergraduate Admissions, which you passed through when you applied to college the first time. However, at the graduate level the individual department and its faculty will have a lot more to do with your admission because they are much more invested in a smaller number of applicants, especially in studio art. For example, the department may be able to override a low GPA that didn’t pass through the Graduate School’s requirements.

The first step will usually be an online application where you state the program you are applying to and provide all of your basic information. (Make sure to write down all usernames and passwords.) Some schools will also have you submit essays or other required documents here. This information will go directly to the Graduate School and possibly to your department as well, depending on the university. Beyond the online application you may need to submit digital or hard copies of other materials to both the Graduate School and the department separately, or provide certain materials to only one or the other. I recommend keeping a chart with the requirements and deadlines of each university all in one place. For example:

Requirement	University A	done	University B	done	University C	done
Transcripts	- How many copies are required - Where to send them (Graduate School, department, street or web addresses,   etc.)	X	+details	X	+details	X
Recommendations	- How many are required - Any guidelines such as information the recommender must include, whether it must be sent in a signed envelope or completed online, etc. - Where to send them	X	+details	X	+details	X
Essay	- What kind of essay is required: Statement of Purpose, Artist Statement, etc. and any guidelines (length, content, etc.) - Where to send it	X	+details	X	+details	X
Resume	- If required, what needs to be included - Where to send it	X	+details	X	+details	X
Portfolio and Image Inventory	- Number of images - Format for submission (CD, slides, online, etc.) - Image size and naming guidelines - Information that needs to be included on the inventory (title, dimensions, materials, etc.) - Where to send it	X	+details	X	+details	X
Other	- Any additional requirements such as website, application fees, testing, etc.	X	+details	X	+details	X
Application Login Information	- Usernames and passwords that you have created so that you can log back in to finish your application	X	+details	X	+details	X
Application Deadline	Submission deadline	X	+details	X	+details	X

Tips for each of these requirements:

Transcripts: Most universities require transcripts from every single undergraduate, postgraduate or graduate institution you have listed on your online application, whether you graduated from that institution or not. This includes universities abroad. Write down how many transcripts you will need total and where they need to go. Order them all at the same time. Keep in mind that ordering official transcripts can take weeks or even months for overseas universities. Check with International Admissions for any translation requirements for non-English transcripts or degree transfer requirements for non-US degrees.

Recommendations: Choose people who can vouch for more than just your artistic ability. The university will see your portfolio and what you have made, but a recommendation can speak to your creativity, problem-solving skills, work ethic, teaching skills, organizational skills and overall ability to succeed in graduate school. Universities usually require 2-3 recommendations so choose people who can attest to different aspects of why you’re great for graduate school. For example, an undergraduate professor can talk about your creativity and self-motivation while an employer can talk about your work ethic and organizational skills. Always give those you ask plenty of time to complete your recommendation and send a polite reminder (disguised as a thank-you!) as deadlines approach. And a handwritten thank-you note goes a long way!

Essays: The Statement of Purpose is a very important document, not only for admissions purposes but also for you to sit down, contemplate and put into words why you want to go to graduate school, why you’re ready for it and what you plan to do there. (If you’re not sure of these things, refer to the “So You're Thinking about an MFA...” discussion.) Think of it as a business plan for the next two to three years. Talk about your background and goals but also give your reader an idea of who you are and why you’re so passionate about your field. If you’re unsure about structure, there are hundreds of online resources outlining the Statement of Purpose that can easily be adapted to studio art.

Resume: Again, there are hundreds of online resources that can show you how to write a resume. Include any and all skills and experience that make you an appealing candidate. If you are applying for assistantships this definitely includes work experience, whether or not it was in an art-related field.

Portfolio: I will discuss this in detail in my next post.

In summary, start your applications early and don’t let the small stuff slip through the cracks. Keeping an organized chart where you can check off what you've done and see deadlines will be a life-saver. These required items should be a positive supplement to the main event – your portfolio! – our discussion for the next post.

from The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists | The Time Between: Waiting a Year... or so

This post is taken from my crafthaus blog "The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists" and was originally posted on February 18, 2012. To view the blog in its entirety along with reader comments, visit my Group on crafthaus, or join to stay updated: http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/mfaguidebook

THE TIME BETWEEN: WAITING A YEAR... OR SO

As undergraduate students approach graduation, the old “What’s next?” pressure starts coming in from all sides – parents, professors, fellow students and your own frantic brain. The thought of leaving the safe, warm university environment and entering the cold unknown of the world outside can be daunting, even more so than accumulating thousands of dollars more in student loans (you’ll deal with them later). Therefore, there’s a natural temptation for many to enter graduate programs the very next fall. However, there are a multitude of compelling reasons to wait a year, or more, before starting your MFA. If you’re an undergrad considering this option, you’ve probably heard the “wait-a-year” argument before, but I ask you to step back from yourself and approach this article with an open mind. After all, you can only do your MFA once!

First and foremost, do not attend the same university for your BFA and MFA. The only truly convincing reason I can see to do this would be having a family member who works at the university and awards you free or reduced tuition, but even so, I recommend looking elsewhere. Working with the same faculty in the same environment and surrounded by the same peers will offer you nothing more than an extension of your undergraduate work. New eyes and the general feeling of a “fresh start” go a long way in creating an invigorated and more mature body of work. This will also prevent overly emulating faculty and fellow students, as was mentioned by group members in the “Comments” section of this blog.

Now, “Why wait?!”, you ask? First, think about why you really want to go back to school right away. Ask yourself these questions, and try to be as honest with yourself as possible. Remember, nobody else has to see your answers; this is only for you:

- Am I considering graduate school because I’m not prepared to find a job or pay off student loans?

- Am I considering graduate school because I don’t know what else to do?

- Am I considering graduate school because my parents/professors/peers are pressuring me to make decisions about my future?

- Am I afraid that I won’t continue making work if I’m not in school?

- Am I considering graduate school because I want access to a studio?

- Am I in a rush to get through school so I can start my career?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider the following:

- Eventually you will have to pay off your loans; waiting will only accumulate more interest. Piling on grad school loans before you understand what it means to have a $200 loan payment every month is not a very informed decision.

- Finding a job and working for a while in a related field, even if it’s not your ideal job, can help you to learn new techniques or gain experience that could be very attractive to schools offering assistantships. You might even find a job you prefer to what you would gain from an MFA.

– Working in any field will allow you to save up some money to use once you do go to graduate school. You’ll add some experience to your resume, which will come in handy if you need to earn cash part time while you’re in school or afterward. Your stint in the professional world will also give you a taste of reality: Those fun loan checks that used to replenish your bank account every semester... you now have to pay them back, plus interest. Having this experience may cause you to rethink that expensive private school in the middle of New York City and consider attending a school that offers assistantships and has a lower cost of living.

- Ever wanted to travel? Now’s your chance! Travel can be a great way to inform your work on a conceptual level and broaden your understanding of yourself and the world. Once you’ve caught the momentum of your MFA, you won’t want to pause your career to backpack through Europe.

- Just because you get a job doesn’t mean you can’t leave it and go back to school. It’s all part of the journey. If you don’t think you’ll be motivated enough to apply to grad school after one year of working, then it’s probably not for you anyway.

- Take your time. You made a big decision to go to college and you completed your goal. Take a breather before you make the next big decision. Grad school isn’t going anywhere. You need time to soak in what you’ve just learned and approach your work with new ideas, not recycled old ones.

- If you’re worried about not having facilities outside of school, what do you think it’s going to be like after you finish your MFA? It’s going to be the same story. You need to be resourceful. There are plenty of schools in your community and short-term workshop programs that can keep you learning and in access of facilities. Set up your own little studio space with rudimentary supplies. In my “in-between” years, I picked up new techniques at jewelry classes and workshops and worked on strengthening my conceptual foundations at my home studio. You have to push yourself a lot harder when you don’t have access to fancy equipment.

- If you don’t think you’ll have the motivation to work on your art when you’re not in school, then you already have the answer to whether or not you should apply: NOT. Grad school requires self-motivation and self-directed exploration. Your professors are not going to be handing you an assignment sheet or a due date. Not to mention, the direction you do receive from your grad professors will not be there when you become a professional artist. If you can’t self-motivate, this isn’t the career for you.

- Have the self-confidence to work alone for a while. Don’t think of an MFA as a security blanket to prove your artistic abilities. The “MFA” is just a piece of paper at the end of the day. Your work is what you’ll have to show for it. You should have confidence in yourself whether or not you have “MFA” on your resume.

- Take time to think about what you want to accomplish in school. No matter what, during your first few weeks you will probably feel lost and overwhelmed. Having goals, like you would a business plan, will help you get back on track faster.

- Every single professor I interviewed with said that they preferred applicants who had taken a year or more off, and they strongly encouraged new work during that time. Your time off and updated portfolio could help you get into your dream program or get that much-needed assistantship!

I am a strong believer in taking time off in between undergraduate and graduate school. I myself took three years and grew incredibly during that time. I had the opportunity to travel and live abroad, which informed most of the work I created for my grad portfolio and still continues to inform my work today. It also gave me something to talk about in my interviews and was an impressive advantage over other applicants. Secondly, I had a “real” job and learned what it was to pay the bills without help from mom and dad. The work experience I gained demonstrated my work ethic and responsibility and made me more attractive to schools with assistantships. Additionally, I took classes at local schools which allowed me to develop technically at a much lower price than university tuition, and led me to work with many different instructors. I discussed with them their own journeys as professional artists and I made important professional connections. Those connections served as references for my MFA application and have led to some great opportunities. Connections are important in small specialized craft fields and going out into the world is the only way to make them.

Of course, there are plenty of satisfied students who go directly from undergraduate to graduate programs. But slow down and give it some thought. Open your mind to other options. You’ll want to make the most of your MFA, and rushing into it might not be the best way to do so.