ARST-MFA - Art

Students must adhere to the portfolio submission deadline and participate in scheduled exhibitions, ensuring timely completion and public presentation of their work in the final semester upon graduation.  They are required to develop a cohesive and distinguished portfolio that showcases both technical proficiency and conceptual sophistication.  This portfolio will contain fully realized artworks, each of which will be presented in a professional exhibition context.  The works will be assessed by faculty based on established criteria, including originality, technical mastery, and thematic coherence, ensuring that the portfolio reflects the students growth and ability to contribute meaningfully to contemporary artistic discourse.

During the final semester before graduation, students will have successfully organized, prepared, and mounted a public exhibition of their work that adheres to established professional standards for presentation.  Each artwork included, as well as an exhibition as a whole, will be assessed through a faculty and peer review process, evaluating its clarity of concept, technical execution, and coherency with the work's stated objectives.  The evaluation will focus on the conceptual framework of the work which must be clearly articulated and demonstrated through the artwork itself, ensuring that the intent and message are effectively communicated to the audience.  The technical aspects of the work such as craftsmanship, use of materials, and attention to detail, will be assessed to ensure the highest level of proficiency is evident in the final presentation.  The body of work should demonstrate a consistent thematic approach and aesthetic vision, with each piece contributing to the overall cohesion of the exhibition.  The alignment of the works with the student's stated artistic objectives will be a key factor in the evaluation.

During the final semester of the program, students will successfully complete an oral examination focused on their research and thesis project, demonstrating an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and cultural contexts surrounding their work, as well as the methodological approaches and artistic processes employed.  The examination will be evaluated by faculty members, who will assess the student's ability to clearly present their research findings and artistic vision.  Key evaluation criteria will include the student's capacity to engage with critical questions, defend their creative choices, and demonstrate a strong command of both the theoretical underpinnings and the technical aspects of their work.

In the final semester before graduation, students will have produced comprehensive, high-quality documentation of their work that meets both professional art industry standards and academic publication requirements, which is deposited in a digital repository, SMU Scholar.  This documentation will include clear and concise format, visual representation, and thorough contextualization within relevant theoretical and cultural frameworks.  It will be assessed by faculty based on several key criteria which includes the presentation of the work aligning with industry standards, demonstrating attention to detail and a polished, refined approach in both visual and written components. The content should reflect a deep engagement with the theoretical and cultural context of the work, showcasing the students ability to critically analyze and interpret their creative process and artistic objectives.  The documentation must conform to the specific guidelines for academic and professional publications, ensuring clarity, consistency, and accuracy in its presentation.  Through this process, students will demonstrate their ability to effectively communicate the significance of their work in both artistic and academic contexts, preparing them for professional opportunities and scholarly contributions within the art world.