The 60-unit M.F.A. in Art option in Visual Arts emphasizes the experience and value of visual thinking and creative problem solving in art, as well as recognizing the concurrent importance of critical thinking, experimentation, innovation and perception. Graduate students must understand the history and traditions of art and their cultural, political and social relevance. They are encouraged to utilize and interact with the services, facilities and technologies offered throughout the University, as well as those provided by the Department of Art and Design. The program has areas of concentration in Ceramics, Drawing, Illustration, Painting, Photography/Video, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Students will acquire academic and professional knowledge and skills in various art media, concepts and methodologies. Students will produce an academic and professional body of individual and collaborative work suitable for a master of fine arts degree, for the local, national and global marketplace. Students will solve visual problems at an academic and professional level, including understanding/application of the elements of art and principles of design. Students will utilize and apply critical thinking skills to communicate ideas for their intended audience at an academic and professional level in visual, oral, and written formats Students will acquire historical and contemporary knowledge of diverse cultural and aesthetic contexts, including political, visual and material culture. The Master of Fine Arts degree program in Visual Arts is the terminal degree for practicing artists and requires a minimum of 60 units. Students accepted into the program are encouraged to be registered full time, taking a minimum of 9 units per semester.
The printmaking area offers traditional and experimental, cross-disciplinary exploration of the four major printmaking mediaintaglio, relief, serigraphy, and lithography. Technique development and understanding the principles of the media are stressed in the beginning as a base for investigation into self-directed, personal content. Printmaking is a versatile medium accepting multiple working methods, including historical to contemporary, handmade to computer generated marks, two-dimensional to three-dimensional, easily incorporating approaches from other art disciplines. Theories behind the process of printmaking and those relevant to contemporary printmaking are taught so that curiosity is sparked and investigation ensues. Through class discussions and group critiques students learn how to talk and think critically about art, becoming versed in the language of their medium. The Northridge campus is within reach of the offerings the greater Los Angeles cultural scene has to offer. From visits to studios, museums, and galleries, to visiting lecturers and workshops, students see the trajectory of the art world first hand.
