Overview

Our students are given multiple opportunities for professional exposure, including studio visits with visiting artists, curators and critics, open studios, curated exhibitions in SVA’s galleries and our annual MFA Thesis Exhibition. Many students also find opportunities to exhibit their work off-campus in galleries and other venues. Students often work on-campus at SVA’s galleries, Sculpture Center, Library and Writing Center.

Why We Stand Out:

Interdisciplinary studio program emphasizes exploration and experimentation
Faculty comprised of internationally renowned artists
Visiting artists, curators, and critics give lectures and visit students’ studios
Ranked #5 Best Master’s Fine Arts Degrees

About the Department

The Fine Arts program at School of Visual Arts is a full-time, interdisciplinary graduate program in the practice of contemporary art. The normal course of study is two years of full-time enrollment. Our curriculum is designed to ensure that students form strong connections with faculty through multiple one-on-one meetings, usually in the student’s studio. Each student selects a faculty mentor at the start of the program, and may continue with the same mentor for the duration of the program. In group critiques, students develop their ability to receive critical feedback and to offer constructive criticism by describing, analyzing and evaluating the work of their peers.

The MFA Fine Arts program attracts ambitious emerging artists from many countries and backgrounds. In their commitment to art, and to one another, they provide a foundation for artistic growth that extends beyond graduation and forms an ongoing platform of professional support.

Students deepen their knowledge of contemporary art, theory and art history in elective seminars, and develop the skills necessary to build sustainable careers in professional development workshops. Fieldwork courses take students to artists’ studios and galleries, and our weekly Talks course features lectures by artists, curators and art historians and presentations by our own students. (Students often find employment as assistants in artists’ studios.) The MFA Thesis includes an ambitious art project or body of work, a presentation and a catalog.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Socially Engaged Art in the Public Realm
Art and the Climate Crisis
What Does It Mean to Decolonize?
Fieldwork—The Creative Adventure
Art History for Artists—A Primer
The Persistence of Painting
The Art Markets and the Aesthetics of Wealth
Critical Theory—Art and Power

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-01-15 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

6.5

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PTE Academic

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TOEFL^® IBT

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Duolingo English Test

115

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Credits

60 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

New York City, United States

Disciplines

Fine Arts View 139 other Masters in Fine Arts in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

IELTS

6.5

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

Check IELTS test dates and locations. Book an IELTS test now!

Other requirements

General requirements

Application & Fee

Statement of Purpose

Resume/CV

Letters of Recommendation

Official Transcripts

Transcripts or Academic Records from Foreign Institutions

English Proficiency

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

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Tuition Fee

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International

57370 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 28685 USD per semester during 24 months.
National

57370 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 28685 USD per semester during 24 months.
In-State

57370 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 28685 USD per semester during 24 months.

Living costs for New York City

1819 - 3968 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Fine Art.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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