Graduate Study in Printmaking at the University of North Texas offers a broad and intensive experience for serious artists engaging in printmaking processes and concepts as a primary form of expression.
The printmaking area averages six MFA printmaking candidates and twenty BFA undergraduates from a variety of artistic and geographic backgrounds. UNT MFA candidates develop conceptual, formal and technical interests through guided studio practice, critique and community engagement. Candidates build professional experience by participating in exhibitions, portfolio exchanges, and collaborations with visiting artists; they also attend printmaking conferences, workshops and other professional activities.
The UNT campus offers exceptional professional research resources. The surrounding Dallas and Fort Worth areas offer world-class art museums, a vibrant contemporary art gallery scene, and many other cultural activities.
*Deadline for Priority Consideration is January 5, 2017* (for enrolling in Fall 2017).
Late applications will be reviewed for acceptance until mid-February, but with fewer opportunities for Scholarships and Graduate Assistantships.
STRUCTURE
The College of Visual Arts and Design graduate programs strive to help students develop the competencies necessary for effective leadership roles in art as expected of practicing professionals in the field, college teachers of art, administrators and researchers. Towards this aim, the resources of the entire school, university, and region are available. The student and major professor plan programs of study for the MFA degree to meet individual interests, needs, and professional goals. With each course counting as 3 hours, the candidate must earn a minimum of 60 hours for the MFA degree. All courses must be at the 5000-level; 4000-level courses cannot be counted for graduate credit.
It is strongly recommended that each graduate student be familiar with the policies and regulations outlined in the graduate catalog. It is the responsibility of each individual student to meet all of the requirements of the College of Visual Arts and Design and of the Toulouse Graduate School.
You can download a pdf copy of our MFA in Studio Art procedures manual here.
OPPORTUNITIES
Graduate Area Assistantship Application:
Apply for Graduate Area Assistantships when you apply to the MFA program. Download an application at the CVAD website and submit with your application materials on Slideroom.com with a copy to the Printmaking Area Coordinator. See https://art.unt.edu/fellowships-assistantships to download the application. The Graduate Area Assistantship is a non-teaching position for the first year where new graduate students will gain experience in their field while earning a stipend to support their education. New graduate students are encouraged to apply for a 1/2 time appointment (two positions) from among the following: the Printmaking Area, P.R.I.N.T. Press, the UNT Gallery, Core Drawing, Core Design, Fab Lab, and Sculpture Area. Please contact the Printmaking Area Coordinator for advising on which positions to apply.
Teaching Assistantship Opportunities:
During the first semester new graduate students will take a Seminar in University Teaching course. This course will prepare new graduate students to apply for teaching assistantships. Beginning as early as the second semester, graduate students may gain valuable teaching experience by holding positions as teaching assistants. Graduate students may hold up to two assistantships or fellowships simultaneously. Each teaching appointment will pay a stipend to fund your education. Graduate students may apply for Teaching Assistantships in Drawing I, Drawing II, Design I, or Design II.
Teaching Fellowship Opportunities:
During the third year, graduate students may apply for Teaching Fellowships in the Printmaking Area teaching beginning to advanced printmaking courses. Each teaching appointment will pay a stipend to fund your education.
Visiting Artists & P.R.I.N.T Press:
The College of Visual Art and Design hosts many national and world-renown visiting artists in all disciplines and in cross-disciplinary practices. P.R.I.N.T Press is the University’s professional fine art press. P.R.I.N.T Press hosts professional publishing of visiting artists’ work and provides educational opportunities and professional training for current UNT students through collaborations, internships and jobs. Recent collaborations between visiting artists and master printers include Linda Ridgway and Katherine Brimberry; Sedrick Huckaby and Brian Garner; and Catherine Chauvin and Kiki Smith. Exhibitions, performances, and other engaging projects are led by visiting artists such as Susan Goethel-Campbell, Nicole Hand, and John Risseeuw. Distinguished printmakers such as Charles Beneke, Michelle Martin, and Gretchen Schermerhorn teach workshops in specialized techniques. (https://print.unt.edu// , http://untprintpress.blogspot.com)
Academic Achievement Scholarship (AAS):
http://tsgs.unt.edu/future-students/funding-your-graduate-education/awards/academic-achievement-scholarship
Tuition Benefits Program (TBP):
https://tsgs.unt.edu/new-current-students/tbp-eligibility-criteria-and-requirements
PRINTMAKING STUDIOS AND EQUIPMENT
Printmaking Graduate students have 24/7 access to the main printmaking studios plus exclusive access to two semi-private studios shared among the printmaking graduate students.
550 square feet MFA Print Studio #1 at Hickory Hall including:
Individual work spaces, tables, storage cabinets, and flat file space for 3 to 4 graduate students, Apple desktop computer, laser printer, and darkroom with a 40-1KS Nuarc exposure unit.
550 square foot Oak Street Hall Shared Printmaking Graduate Studio Space (4 to 5 grad students)
2,900-square foot Intaglio/Relief/Screenprint Studio
1,200-square foot Lithography Studio
1,000-square foot Printmaking Critique/Presentation/Archive Studio
38" x 72" Takach etching press
18" x 36" Takach etching press
36" x 60" Charles Brand etching press
30" x 50" Charles Brand etching press
Two 26" x 50" Charles Brand etching press (one in Oak Street Graduate Studio)
16" x 30" Charles Brand etching press
36" Prexto plate shear
8" x 10" Gordon letterpress
30" x 50" Charles Brand litho press
32" x 56" Takach litho press
30" x 44" Graphic litho press
A large selection of litho stones (up to 30" x 24" in size)
A collection of newly surfaced professional rollers
A separate acid room with Gene Scientific acid hood
Two NuArc exposure units (for screenprinting, intaglio, and lithography)
Screen drying room and screen washout room
CVAD Digital Printing Lab (main art building) for large-scale printing.
CVAD Digital Fabrication Lab (main art building) including: CNC routers, laser cutters, and 3d printers.
CVAD Sculpture Shop (main art building) including tools and equipment for various materials and processes.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The process of applying to the MFA program at the College of Visual Arts and Design has three steps:
STEP 1: Apply online at: tsgs.unt.edu . The Toulouse Graduate School of the University of North Texas evaluates the applicant to verify that minimum standards required for all graduate students at UNT are met. Graduate Admissions generally takes 2 to 4 weeks to process application materials including transcripts from all coursework applied to your undergraduate degree. The GRE test is no longer required for the MFA application. The application is then sent on the Studio Department Office for review by printmaking area faculty.
STEP 2: Apply online at unt.slideroom.com . The applicant is evaluated by the Printmaking Area Faculty. Applicants are evaluated by a series of required application materials including:
*Portfolio of Artworks: 15 to 20 high quality images of artworks including at least 10 prints.
*Letter of Intent: (PDF) A brief statement describing your educational and professional background, your motivations for attending graduate school, and your professional aspirations during and after graduate school.
*Artist Statement: Describe the primary focus/foci of your recent work. This statement should illuminate the primary interest in concept, context, form, and/or media/process.
*Artist Resume: (PDF) A professional resume showing all educational and professional experience including a complete exhibition record and contact information.
*Two Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation from professionals who know your experience and aspirations well.
STEP 3: Apply for Assistantships and Scholarships. See https://art.unt.edu/fellowships-assistantships
LINKS
Printmaking Blog (Current Printmaking activities): http://untprintmakingblog.blogspot.com/
College of Visual Arts and Design: https://art.unt.edu/
P.R.I.N.T. Press: https://print.unt.edu//
College of Visual Art and Design (CVAD): https://art.unt.edu/
MFA Application Instructions: https://art.unt.edu/studio-art/graduate-studies
Toulouse Graduate School: http://www.tsgs.unt.edu
Graduate Assistantships/Scholarships: https://art.unt.edu/fellowships-assistantships.html
Graduate Assistantship Application (Link to PDF): https://art.unt.edu/sites/default/files/u45/CVAD-TATF-App13.10.02.pdf
Current Graduate Tuition and Fees: http://tsgs.unt.edu/future-students/funding-your-graduate-education
Please contact the Interim Printmaking Area Coordinator, Syd Webb sydney.webb@unt.edu for more details about the Printmaking program or to set up a tour of the printmaking studios.
