Building upon the success of our three-month PhD Preflight program, which prepares applicants for full-time PhD research through guided expert supervision, research-orientated seminars and workshops, Transart is excited to announce a further pivot towards our stated aim of becoming the foremost international Creative Research Institute.
We are shifting our focus from our current LJMU-structured taught MFA towards a newly expanded Preflight program to make our PhD program accessible to creative practitioners from the widest possible range of backgrounds. Moving forward, TT will exclusively offer independent practice research opportunities.
Focused, advanced practitioners with ten years of related experience are eligible for Transart doctoral degrees. A master's degree is not required.
In our current Preflight PhD program, the Institute is awarding early PhD applicants a three-month jump on their studies. Beginning in February, you'll meet monthly with a dedicated advisor to refine your proposal, develop your critical vocabulary, and get a head start on readings to pace yourself while building relationships with current students, faculty and your fellow incoming peers. You can also participate in our Creative Research Crash Course, regular discussions with a peer critique or research group and optionally attend a micro-residency in Nairobi with our current PhD researchers and your new peers.
Transart Institute will offer three streams to the PhD Preflight program through the TT Academy:
PhD Preflight: Advanced practitioners with an accepted PhD application by January 15 may accept a tuition-free Preflight scholarship for three months, February 1–May 1, to hit the ground running at the July 2024 start date.
PhD Explorer: For creative practitioners unfamiliar with the practice-based PhD or creative research who wish to learn more, we will now offer a fee-based three-month Preflight pilot stream April 1–June 1, 2024, and our new one or two-part course starting September 1–December 1, 2024, and February 1–May 1, 2025. Further details will be available in January.
Praxis Refresher: For artists with long-term praxes who do not want to pursue further degree studies but wish to revive, focus and deepen their practice, enrich it with new resources, and connect with an international community for a creative surge, a new third stream will begin in September 2024. Further details will be available in March.
Trajectory
Your practice will be entwined with writing and reflection to become rigorous and original creative research—in short; your practice is the research. The Creative Research PhD is self-directed, innovative, project-based research in which writing is an integral contributor, culminating in submitting a thesis, which may include a presentation, an exhibition, a publication, reading, performance, screening, or other form of dissemination and a Viva Voce.
Practice PhD
Our Creative Research PhD is for everyone with a specific project or question/s whose practice embodies or essentially drives their research. Your tenure in the program will transform your practice and your awareness of what it can do, significantly contributing to knowledge in your field and augmenting your credentials for academic positions, grants and inclusion in research projects.
Residencies
Our praxis-centered programs revolve around local and virtual residencies. Participate in presentations, symposia, fora, topical workshops, research seminars, exhibitions, screenings, cultural excursions, sound baths, listening sessions and other events to enrich your praxis. Past residencies have occurred in Mexico City, Berlin, Liverpool, Linz, Krems and New York. Our January residency will be held in Nairobi (January 21–28).
About Transart
Since 2004, the Transart Institute for Creative Research has been the foremost developer of low-residency, interdisciplinary, international creative research programs. Designed and run entirely by artists and artistic researchers, the Institute offers practice-based PhD programs, generating space for creativity, experimentation and radical thinking in every form. We champion self-directed, curious, flexible and socially engaged creative researchers working independently or collectively.
Accreditation
Our PhD is offered in partnership with and validated by our renowned and esteemed UK academic partner, Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), founded in 1823. Transart Academy Preflight courses are non-credit.
Admissions
December 15: PhD admission with optional three-month tuition-free scholarship (with optional Nairobi residency).
January 15: Final PhD admission with optional three-month tuition-free scholarship.
March 15: PhD admissions applications.
March 15: TT Academy PhD "Preflight Explorer" applications.
MFA applications are closed.
A maximum of ten places will be available in each program. Applications are reviewed on a rolling admissions basis.
Inquiries
PhD: phd@transartinstitute.org or book a conversation here.
