Image ©Erin Austin
MENTOR INFORMATION
ABOUT THE PROGRAM | LOW-RESIDENCY MFA IN INTERDISCIPLINARY PRACTICE
Students in the MFA Low-Residency program come together on the MassArt campus in Boston for three intensive seven-week summer residencies. Residencies include studio and academic classes, workshops across campus facilities, exhibitions, our visiting artist lecture series, and much more. Students build community, expand their ideas about making, and consider their own work in a broad context. During the academic year, each student takes an online seminar course, Visual and Critical Studies, with their cohort. In addition, students enroll in an elective at MassArt, either in person or online, where they have the opportunity to engage with students from across MassArt graduate programs. In the fall and spring semesters, studio work is done from home studios, in consultation with a faculty mentor. Students make new work, test concepts and strategies, and synthesize their residency experiences in the studio. View the full semester-by-semester program curriculum HERE.
THE ROLE OF THE MENTOR
In the fall and spring semesters, graduate students, in dialogue with faculty, staff, and the Program Director, find a mentor to guide their studio practice.. These mentors offer critique, support, and provide a sounding board as the work develops. Mentors meet with students five times over the semester. At each meeting the student brings new or developed dialogue about the work, including technique, subject matter, concept, and historical and/or contemporary context. The mentor role is a key component of the program’s structure. We rely mentors to keep us informed of achievements and growth, as well as hurdles and difficulties in a student’s progress. The narrative evaluation is an important requirement in helping us track our students’ progress through the program.
COMMUNICATION AND PAPERWORK
In the fall and spring, the mentor is the primary voice and guide in the studio, and the program leadership relies on mentors for information on students’ progress.For example, it’s important to know if the student is productive and working at a graduate level. Mentors are required to submit both midterm and final evaluations.Should the student not be engaged as required, the college has an academic warning system in place. In order for us to fully support student progress, it will be important for you to provide accurate and detailed reports. Note that academic warnings do not go on the student’s permanent record, rather, they are prompts to the student that they are in danger of not meeting expectations and should reach out to their Program Director for guidance and help. Any additional communication from the mentor, beyond required paperwork, is always welcome and appreciated! View and download mentor paperwork and deadlines HERE.