Apart from identifying a program offering your preferred style of art, choosing the right MFA program depends on the practicality of blending your studies with your career and family life. A low residency MFA is designed for students who desire a traditional MFA but want a flexible structure to fit their lives. Advantages of a low-res MFA include:
Diverse Peers
Low-res MFA students range in ages, come from different parts of the world, and hold different jobs in the art space. It is a less homogenous cohort than a traditional MFA, reflecting different cultures, racial backgrounds, religious beliefs, and sexual orientations. These differences give a rich learning and interactive experience.
Avoid Relocation
Having settled in a job and home community might make it hard to relocate for studies. Choosing a low-res MFA allows you to study without losing your job or leaving your family. Time spent away from the program is ideal for creative minds to produce content, while the short time spent in school provides a much-needed break from their day-to-day lives.
Sustained Mentorship
Low-res programs allow students to have one-on-one interactions and relationships with their faculty mentors. This interaction is the heart of learning and gives in-depth and contextual advice from tutors. For instance, it further prepares students for future interactions with agents and editors.
Working Apprenticeship
Low residency MFA necessitates students to plan and articulate studies towards their goals. It requires them to plan their time well, considering other obligations such as jobs and family. This structure gives a practical example of how they’re expected to perform after school without university-facilitated advantages.
Contact The School of the Art Institute of Chicago to enroll for a low-res MFA.
