Sydney J. Koke
MFA Graduate Student
I have a diverse background, which includes formal training in neuroscience and psychology as well as informal experience with experimental music and fiber arts.
… MoreMFA
SFU Contemporary Arts is an intimate art school in a university setting. The Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MFA) program provides advanced professional training for artists in the fields of music, dance, theatre, film, video and visual art. The program develops student's individual artistic practice, creativity, interdisciplinary research, technical skill and critical awareness of art's relationship to contemporary society. Several kinds of artist thrive in this program: those who have a strong background in a single discipline and value the stimulation of an interdisciplinary environment; those whose studio practice fuses two or more disciplines; and those who want to develop the theoretical or scholarly context of their practice.
Program Information
MFA students work closely with faculty members. Our faculty consists of nationally and internationally recognized dancers and choreographers; filmmakers, videomakers, and screenwriters; composers; directors, actors, and a dramaturge; visual artists; and historians and theorists.
MFA students normally pursue a five-semester program of original research and studio work, culminating in a graduate artistic project supported by an essay and documentation. The program is full-time, normally takes two years, and requires students to be in the Vancouver area.
MFA Application Dates
The application deadline for the SFU Contemporary Arts MFA program for entry in September 2013 is January 23rd, 2013.
If you are interested in applying for the MFA program for entry in Fall 2013, please refer to the application procedures below to review what you will need for your application.
For further information contact send an email to mfagrad@sfu.ca
MFA Application Procedure
MFA Application Requirements
Applicants should have an undergraduate university degree (or equivalent) coupled with substantial training in an art discipline and evidence of an active art practice. An interest in interdisciplinary experimentation and exploring the interrelationships of the arts is an asset. Applicants should have an interest in exploring the theoretical or historical context of their creative practice. Candidates should be self-directed and able to work independently and should have at least one year of professional experience beyond their undergraduate studies.
Selection Process:
Faculty will review all applications as received. Selected applicants will be interviewed by faculty between January 16, 2013 and February 28, 2013.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to arrange a suitable time for an interview in person or by phone or Skype. Please be sure that your contact information is up to date and that you can be available for an interview on short notice (often one day; we will do our best to work around employment schedules and classes).
All applicants who submit complete applications will be notified of their status by the end of March 2013. Candidates accepted into the MFA program will begin their courses in September 2013.
Please be sure that your mailing and e-mail addresses are current, as you will be notified of application results by e-mail and by letter.
Deadline:
All required documents must be received by January 23, 2013.
A COMPLETE APPLICATION REQUIRES:
1. On-line Application for Graduate Studies.
ALL CANDIDATES MUST COMPLETE AN ON-LINE APPLICATION (CLICK HERE).
If you have not submitted the online application you will not be considered for the program.
All graduate program applications are processed through the Dean of Graduate Studies office. In order to use the online application system, you will need to pay an application fee of $90 CAN (students with Canadian transcripts) or $125 CAN (students with international transcripts) by credit card (MasterCard or Visa).
The on-line application includes a checklist of the documents that you will need to submit to us to support your application. This checklist will be updated on line as we receive your documents. Please refer to the on-line checklist to ensure that all documents are received - due to the number of applications, it is not possible for us to monitor every applicant's checklist closely.
2. Official sealed Transcripts of all post-secondary education. Sealed transcripts may be included with your application, or may be sent directly to the address above by the academic institution. Non-English language transcripts must include an official English translation.
3. A Curriculum Vitae.
4. An Artist's Statement indicating your background and the nature of your creative practice, including primary discipline and any interdisciplinary interest. Your goals in pursuing a Master's degree at Simon Fraser would also be of interest to the committee.
5. Three short scenarios (150-200 words each) of Artistic Projects you might undertake during graduate study. These will not necessarily evolve into your major project, but should indicate the creative directions you wish to pursue and your conceptual clarity.
6. A Portfolio of your work, including a list which prioritizes the viewing/listening order of materials. You may upload video, audio,
images, or PDF documents (less than 10 Mb each). Unfortunately, we are unable to accept physical media (DVDs, CDs, etc.) any longer. For works which involve a creation and production team, please make your role (Director, Choreographer, etc.) clear.
7. A sample of Academic Writing. Acceptable samples include senior undergraduate essays or other academic writing, published articles, and grant applications.
8. Three (3) Letters of Reference from (preferably) academic or professional sources. Letters can be uploaded online directly by each reference. He or she will receive log in information and instructions for uploading his or her letter once you have named him or her as a reference.
We do not have a template for reference letters; your referees can use their preferred format.
9. International students: English is the language of instruction and communication in the University. The School for Contemporary Arts requires English proficiency as outlined on the Dean of Graduate Studies website.
Please note that we must receive test results directly from the testing agency. Copies of documents sent by the student will not be accepted.
Other Information
Situated in the new cultural hub of the city, our School working closely with the Cultural Unit and Community Engagement office, aspires to be the generator of excellence in artistic, intellectual, cultural and community events and programming. Through exposure and engagement with continuous cultural productions and presentations, we create direct and experiential learning opportunities for students, for faculty and for the diverse communities in which we are situated.
MFA Profile
Alumni Reflections
"The Master of Fine Arts Program challenged me to transform my work into a multi-dimensional practice encompassing not only music, but dance, visual arts, and film. I came in with one idea and left with a hundred."
Stefan Smulovitz, Musician, Composer, Software Designer
