The Digital and Interdisciplinary Art Practice [DIAP] MFA Program
What is the [DIAP] approach to digital art practice?
The Digital and Interdisciplinary Art Practice [DIAP] degree program prepares students for a broad range of artistic practices in art and technology. Past research has led to performative works, sculpture, screen based works, interactive works and many more which either utilized, questioned or intentionally abandoned digital media.
[DIAP] emphasizes adaptive knowledge: to train students who will be technically adaptive to any medium that best serves a particular project including digital, traditional or experimental media, and will make artwork successful within the critical framework of contemporary art practice.
[DIAP] promotes collaborative methodology to promote flexibility of process and to encourage collaborative, open-ended approaches to art practice as an alternative to traditional modes of artistic production.
[DIAP] offers a comprehensive curriculum: to foster fluid methods of digital, photographic and interdisciplinary art practice through a curriculum of analytical and practical course modules including: independent/collaborative studio projects, subject-focused workshops, medium-focused workshops, and teaching theory and practice.
[DIAP] uses a model of scholarly research to encourage scholarly discourse and reflection through a written Thesis developed in conjunction with the students’ creative Thesis Project.
[DIAP] fosters autonomous solutions to develop artists who operate in an interdisciplinary fashion, who have the ability to adapt quickly and fluidly to various digital or photographic media and to various contexts of artistic production.
[DIAP] encourages cross-disciplinary approaches. by encouraging students to take courses in areas beyond their primary media in order to broaden their skill sets and their range of thinking.
How does the [DIAP] program work?
[DIAP] is a 2-year, 60-credit, full-time program
[DIAP] students work in a collaborative studio space for the four semesters in residence
[DIAP] students receive a new laptop and software on entry to the program, and it becomes their property at graduation for a minimal fee.
[DIAP] expects students to participate in a dialog with contemporary art practice. Exposure to a broad range of artistic practice takes place via individual and group critiques, interaction with visiting artists and critics and field trips.
How are students evaluated?
Students must pass end-semester reviews before progressing to the next term. Successful completion of the First Year project is a requirement for progression toward Thesis.
At the culmination of their residency students produce an exhibition of their creative research. This is done in consultation with faculty mentors. A written thesis and an oral defense are part of the Masters’ project requirement.