MFA in Fine Art

The MFA Fine Art programme supports a range of practice-based enquiry within the field of contemporary art, and is informed by current frameworks for image-production, objects, materiality, the post-digital, moving-image, performative, participatory and emergent modes of art practice. The programme structure is two years for full-time students. The MFA Fine Art encourages applications from artists and graduates who want to develop advanced art projects responsive to contemporary contexts.

MFA Fine Art students develop individual research pathways, connecting their projects to the professional field of the visual arts and wider audiences and situations. The spine of this programme is centred upon an experiential art practice engagement with structured modules that explore research methods and contemporary practices. The advanced study required at masters level is informed by contemporary practice based coordinates delivered by leading practitioners in the field. The core components of the course are the studios and technical facilities, project spaces, written elements and critical seminars where students present work and reflect on their approach to materials and the theoretical and historical frameworks informing their practices.

The MFA Fine Art hosts an annual studio residency for an established contemporary artist who also contributes to the programme – the artist for 2019-20 was Alan Phelan. The students have also developed exhibition opportunities in partnership with other organisations, most recently with Rua Red, Tallaght, a curated screening and public discussion at The Darkroom, and study trips to the Liverpool Biennial and the Venice Biennale.