The MFA: Expectations & Preparation
Catherine Haggarty
ONLINE - 8 weeks
Payment Plans + Financial Aid

Day of the week: Monday

8 Weeks of Classes: September 26, October 3, October 10, October 17, October 24, October 31, November 7, November 14

Time: 7-9pm (EST)

Length: 2 hrs.

About the MFA:

This eight week course and workshop is led by NYC Crit Club Co-Founder and Director, Catherine Haggarty, and is co-taught by Faculty Advisor and Artist, Yevgeniya Baras. This course is ideal for someone interested in strengthening their preparation for their MFA application and or someone trying to figure out if an MFA is the right path for them. Artists in this course will have a faculty leader who will work with them in small groups twice during the class length to hone in their portfolio and writing / statements for their potential MFA application. 

Guest speakers include recent alumni from MFA Programs: RISD and Columbia, as well as faculty from Boston University, Cornell MFA, Ohio State, UT Knoxville, and Rutgers MFA. The core purpose of this course is to educate and prepare artists for expectations and realities within and outside the MFA paradigm. Artists in the course will also hear from MFA dropouts who are doing terrifically and felt they did not need an MFA.

Artists will have the opportunity to speak with chairs and faculty within esteemed MFA programs to ask questions about cadence, expectations, philosophy and demands of such programs. This course will open up the eyes and minds of artists working towards this goal with the sole purpose of informing them for what is best for them.

Artists in this course will:

• Meet in small pod groups of five presenting portfolios and writing samples to peers and Faculty Advisors 

• Share their work in class to introduce their work and goals to the group and faculty 

• Build a solid portfolio of 15-20 images 

• Strengthen their statement for their application towards their MFA or otherwise 

• Ask Faculty and Department Chairs advice and questions to broaden their perspective on the MFA and its role 

• Create friendships and camaraderie with peers in the class and their break out pod group

• Gain comfort and confidence speaking about their work to improve their interview abilities

Guest Speakers / Critics:  

Additional Visiting Speakers:

Financial Aid is available. NYC Crit Club provides payment plans, BIPOC scholarships and additional aid based on extenuating circumstances. Please click here to learn more before checking out.