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Painting and Drawing

The Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing provides students with the opportunity to refine their representational painting and drawing skills while developing the conceptual framework for their creative endeavors. Students in this program produce a number of paintings and/or drawings using a variety of materials, techniques and methodologies. To help students develop their skill and understanding, the curriculum includes coursework in Sculpture, Anatomy and Art History.

During their course of study, students evaluate and critique historical and contemporary methodologies as they estalbish a personal artistic practice. Students are encouraged to reflect upon and analyze their own work to establish a conceptual and visual style. Independent thinking and learning, research and writing are required. The Thesis Research course sequence helps students explore the theoretical, sociological and art historical influences on their own artistic expression.

At the American Academy of Art, MFA students are encouraged to focus on professional development through the Business Plan course and the production of a Diploma Project. As the culmination of the MFA program, the Diploma Project should not only show evidence of the student’s facility in terms of technique, but should also provide evidence of the depth of the student’s understanding of the relationship of the work produced to the social and aesthetic currents of contemporary society.

MFA Sample Curriculum - Painting and Drawing