The New Genres Area at UCLA offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program focused on contemporary art practices. This program encourages students to explore and experiment with a wide range of mediums, including moving image, sound, performance, installation, hybrid forms, and emerging art technologies. Students will question the role of art in society, examining how specific forms and mediums influence its impact and reception. The curriculum emphasizes the process of artistic creation, how ideas evolve through different production methods, and how presentation affects content.
The MFA program in New Genres integrates theoretical frameworks, historical precedents, and contemporary examples across various art forms. Students engage in continued independent practice, experimentation, and critique, with opportunities to work with faculty across departments.
Graduates from the New Genres program are prepared for diverse career paths within the contemporary art world and related creative fields. The program's interdisciplinary nature fosters adaptability and innovation.
Applicants are expected to have a strong portfolio and a clear artistic vision. Specific GPA or GRE requirements are not listed, but high academic achievement is generally expected for graduate studies.
Tuition and fees are estimates and can vary for professional and self-supporting degrees. Refer to the UCLA Registrar for exact breakdowns. Fee remissions may be available through departments to cover partial tuition and fees.
Annual tuition for non-California residents is approximately $36,297. Fee remissions may be available through departments to cover partial tuition and fees.
The program is structured over two years, with students engaging in coursework and independent practice during both Year 1 and Year 2.
The application deadline for Fall admission is December 15. Admissions decisions are typically made in the Spring quarter, with the program starting in the Fall quarter.
Applicants need a Bachelor's Degree with a strong academic record and demonstrated engagement with contemporary visual arts. Backgrounds in related fields like theater, film, music, writing, or new media are welcome if connected to visual arts.
Required materials include an online application, academic transcripts, a portfolio of artwork, a statement of purpose or essays, letters of recommendation, and English proficiency test scores if applicable.
Yes, merit-based financial support such as fellowships, teaching assistantships, and graduate student researcher positions are available and awarded based on academic achievement. Division of Graduate Education funding and extramural fellowships are also options.