Lesley University College of Art and Design
700 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02215
We’ve extended our application deadline to October 15 for the January 2014 residency.
The Lesley University College of Art and Design offers busy, creative professionals the opportunity to advance their careers with an MFA in Visual Art. With courses that challenge and inspire, taught by internationally known faculty and mentors, our MFA students gain fresh perspectives to enhance their careers.
The interdisciplinary focus encourages MFA students to integrate a variety of media into their art, broadening and enriching their work. The program also strengthens students’ understanding of such areas as gallery management, grant and proposal preparation, public and private commissions, and the development of new media.
The MFA in Visual Art is offered in a low-residency format, providing professional artists, teachers, and those in related fields a timely, efficient way to earn an advanced degree.
A word about our name
Our name has changed from the Art Institute of Boston, which for 100 years has shaped the ideas and career paths of professionals in the visual arts. It’s the best of both worlds: all the creativity of art school, all the power of a Lesley University degree.
What our grad students say:
“The residency atmosphere is intense with non-stop honest input and feedback. The combined voices of my advisors, studio mentors, and classmates have brought big changes in my work. I’ve never worked harder.”
–Anne Baumgartner, MFA alum
“The MFA program helped me see my work in new ways—ways that opened up opportunities for serious change.”
–R.J. Calabrese, MFA alum
Our faculty
Anthony Apesos, Jan Avgikos, Fia Backström, Judith Barry, Deborah Davidson, John Kramer, Michael Newman, Cesare Pietroiusti, Sunanda K. Sanyal, Ben Sloat, Laurel Sparks, Stuart Steck, Oliver Wasow, and Deb Todd Wheeler
Recent visiting faculty
Kamrooz Aram, Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, Cory Arcangel, Dike Blair, Beth Campbell, Liz Deschenes, Andreas Fogarasi, Adam McEwen, Carrie Moyer, Peter Rostovsky, Constanze Ruhm, Matt Saunders, Julia Scher, Barry Schwabsky, and Carol Squiers
Recent visiting artists
Nayland Blake, Dawoud Bey, Holly Block, Barbara Bloom, Sarah Charlesworth, Vincent Desiderio, Thomas Eggerer, Maureen Gallace, Renée Green, Dana Hoey, Jacqueline Humphries, Joan Jonas, Barbara London, Tony Matelli, Dorit Magareiter, Annu Matthew, Helen Mirren, Rita McBride, Allan McCollum, Marilyn Minter, Rebecca Morris, Alexis Rockman, Lynne Tillman, and Wendy White
Faculty, student, and alumni highlights
Maggie Holmes, MFA Student is a 2013 recipient of a 10,000 USD artist’s initiative grant in photography from the Minnesota State Arts Board.
Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, Artistic Director of dOCUMENTA (13), was Visiting Professor Faculty for Spring 2013 semester.
Edie Bresler (MFA ’10), was selected as an Artist in Residence by the Boston Center for the Arts for Spring 2013. She is also the recipient of a 2013 recipient of a Berkshire Taconic ART grant.
Liz Deschenes, MFA Visiting Professor Faculty, was included in the 2012 Whitney Biennial.
Lauren Cross (MFA ’10) is a 2013 recipient of a Fort Worth Weekly Annual Visionary Award.
Judith Barry, Director of MFA in Visual Arts Program and Faculty Member Cesare Pietrousti participated in dOCUMENTA (13), as did MFA Mentors Sam Durant, Joan Jonas, and Michael Rakowitz, and MFA in Visual Arts candidate Andrew Yang.
Amanda Nelsen, MFA ’08, and Alison Williams, MFA ’09 were awarded Joan Mitchell Foundation Grants in painting and sculpture nationwide in 2008, and in 2009, respectively.
For more information
For questions about the application or to request an MFA in Visual Arts Viewbook, please contact Graduate Admissions at [email protected] or 617 349 8300 or visit www.lesley.edu.
The MFA in Visual Arts program is fully accredited by both the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
