Opportunities
LAUNCH PROGRAMMING
With a special emphasis on networking and CV-building, these pivotal funded programs help our MFA students set themselves up for success after graduation. Opportunities range across galleries, residencies, art centers, design agencies, and various non-profits. We also provide helpful resources for crafting applications. Read about all our Launch Programs and see a record of recent recipients.
MFA Fall Show 2020
THE TWIN CITIES
Regional Funding
Minnesota is well known for its abundant funding sources:
- Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grants (can apply as a student, but project cannot be associated with your degree program)
- Silverwood Park Annual Call (can apply as a student)
- Red Eye’s Works-In-Progress Program (non-primary artist can be a student)
- Art(ists) On the Verge (AOV)
- Creative City Challenge
- Jerome Foundation Grants
- Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program
- Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Grants
- McKnight Foundation Grants
- Midway Contemporary Art Visual Arts Fund
- and more (the funding environment in MN is ever-evolving and growing)
Regional Events
No matter your interests, the Twin Cities provide a continuous flow of events every season, including the annual design-themed Insights Lectures, Out There performance series, or Film Independent Spirit Awards at the Walker Art Center, the Twin Cities Independent Comics Expo, Autoptic Festival, Northern Spark Festival, Eyeo Festival, Art-a-Whirl, the Minnesota State Fair, and more.
Public Art Practices Panel Discussion with the collaborative team from Carry On Homes project [Peng Wu ’13, Shunjie Yong ’18, Aki Shibata, Preston Drum ’16, and Zoe Cinel ’18]
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES
Career Development Services
MCAD offers a comprehensive career development office, where you can make an appointment for résumé and cover letter help, or to work on interviewing and networking skills. MCAD also offers the Job and Internship Fair, the Emerging Talent Showcase, and the Annual Art Sale. And as an MCAD alumnus, you’ll have ongoing access to these resources and services, including a variety of support materials like these:
Professional Practices Workshops
Each semester, we host a series of talks/workshops focused on professional practices (alumni are invited to attend, and we feature alumni as speakers when possible). Topics range widely and are selected based on current student interests and suggestions. For example, we’ve covered topics such as Fulbright grant applications, how to approach studio visits, teaching applications, and more.
Tours of Local Studios/ Agencies
The Twin Cities is one of the most vibrant and diverse arts communities in the US. Current students can take an MCAD van to visit studies/agencies, and are encouraged to explore alumni spaces. Alumni are also invited to join in on these trips.
Teacher Training and Support
We have a series of classes and experiences to help our MFA students acquire teaching skills that can be applied in a number of different contexts.
Whitney Museum Private Tour – NYC Trip 2019
TRAVEL
Trips
While it’s been postponed by the pandemic, each year, the MFA program aims to take a trip New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc. where we visit MCAD alumni studios and offices, in addition to all the rich art and design resources these cities offer. MFA alumni are welcome to participate as space allows. Read about the 2019 trip to NYC.
International Travel Opportunities
MCAD MFA students are invited to apply for summer abroad experiences via the WorkArt Fellowship Program (Germany), Burren College of Art’s Summer School (Ireland), DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia (Copenhagen or Stockholm),or USF’s Paris/Venice/London program (alternating locations depending on year). International travel is an optional added cost for MFA students (not required).
Raed Ghanja ’22
CONTINUING ED CLASSES
MCAD graduate students (MFA, MASD, MAGWD) students may take one free Continuing Education course each semester on a space available basis. The course must be taken non-credit. To register, please fill out this form. You will be placed on the course waitlist and contacted within five days of the course start date if there is a spot available. Students will be responsible for paying any required facilities and/or materials fees. Students may be placed on up to two course waitlists per semester.
Also, MCAD alumni get to take Continuing Ed courses for $25 per class (space available basis), so you can continuing building your skill set after graduation – email continuing_education@mcad.edu
Xiaohan Ma ’17 and Yijia Li ’17
ALUMNI BENEFITS
MFA-specific Alumni Perks
View this full list of perks just for MCAD MFA alumni. Also, no matter where you go in the world, connect with your classmates, network with other alumni in your area, and be a resource for current students. Check out the map, and take advantage of this benefit for MCAD alumni: mcad.edu/alumni-directory
General MCAD Alumni Perks
Find a complete list of the benefits all MCAD alumni enjoy at mcad.edu/alumni-benefits
PARENT/CARE-TAKER RESOURCES
At any given time, we usually have a few grad students who are also parents or care-takers. We list resources here that others have found useful:
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This a really good resource page with national and international programs and information: http://mothersinarts.com/
resources
