18 Nov 2008

Call for Applications: MIT Visual Arts Program - Masters of Science in Visual Arts (SMVisS)

The MIT Visual Arts Program (VAP) seeks committed, curious and creative students for the 2009-2010 academic year. This selective two-year program grants successful participants a Master of Science in Visual Studies (SMVisS) degree. Positioned within the MIT School of Architecture and Planning, the VAP offers a wealth of exploration and research opportunities in transdisciplinary relationships with programs and labs in the MIT community.

The Program

The MIT Visual Arts Program operates as a critical production- and education-based laboratory within the context of an advanced technological community. The program explores the role of art in society and considers artistic practice as knowledge production, thus promoting an approach that challenges traditional genres and the limits of the gallery/museum context. Studio investigations and artistic research are realized through performance, sound and video, photography, interrogative design, as well as through experimental media and new genres. The program also emphasizes art that engages public spheres, the production of space, networked cultures, and questions relating to the environment, gender, and social stratification. Students are encouraged to work individually or collectively to develop their own vision of artistic practice. Extra-curricular activities include a cross-disciplinary lecture series, field trips, workshops, studio visits, and public presentations.

VAP Faculty

Instructors are world-renowned, with active, international careers and a strong interest in cross-disciplinary debate, research, and modes of production. VAP Director and Associate Professor Ute Meta Bauer directed SITAC VI 2008 in Mexico City, co-curated Documenta11 and was Artistic Director of the 3rd Berlin Biennial. Professor Joan Jonas participated in this year's Biennales in Sidney and Sao Paulo, and the Yokohama Triennale. VAP Professor Krzysztof Wodiczko is the Director of MIT's Center for Advanced Visual Studies. In 2008 he completed a major public projection for the city of Warsaw to commemorate the 1968 student uprising, and the War Veteran Projection Vehicle for the city of Denver, during the Democratic National Convention. Newly appointed Associate Professor Gediminas Urbonas and his partner Nomeda Urbonas were awarded Honorable Mention for the Lithuanian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2007. Visiting Professor Antoni Muntadas represented Spain at the Venice Biennale 2005. Lecturers Andrea Frank (Photography), Amber Frid-Jimenez (Participatory Media), Joe Gibbons (Video), Wendy Jacob (Autism Studio), Jae Rhim Lee (Environmental Studies), and Joe Zane (Mixed Media) are prominent practitioners in their fields.

Apply

Artists/cultural producers with diverse backgrounds and experience interested in innovative transdisciplinary artistic practice and research at the intersection of art, culture, and technology are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is December 15, 2008. Supporting materials will be accepted until January 2, 2009.

Applicants are encouraged to seek diversity resources and funding or contact Robbin Chapman, Manager of Diversity Recruitment, at rchapman@mit.edu.

For more information:

About the program
About the VAP lecture series
Admission information
Application form