Should i get my mfa?


Should I get my mfa? Is it worth getting an mfa? How do I feel about having an mfa? I will answer these questions in this blog post, so keep reading! If you are wondering if you should get your mfa, you will want to read this!


Should i get my mfa?


An mfa is a Master of Fine Arts degree; it is the next step for artists after they have pursued their Bachelor of Fine Arts or bfa. 


To help you decide if you should get your mfa I think it helps to hear from other artists why they got their mfa. 

Why I got my mFA


I got my mfa because I am someone who loves learning and researching. I would definitely consider myself a lifelong learner. I love reading, trying new things and exploring. As I was approaching the end of my bfa I knew that I had more that I wanted to learn and explore. I knew I wanted to be an artist and I knew I could grow and push myself as an artist by getting my mfa. 



After my bfa I went to teacher’s college for a year long program and used that time to work on preparing my art portfolio for my mfa application. I did my mfa at Concordia university immediately after I was done with teacher's college. You can read more about my time at Concordia University -by clicking here. 



During the end of my bfa is when I finally was doing less projects that the professors were instructing us and had more creative freedom to explore the type of art I wanted to make. Don’t get me wrong I was grateful for the art projects during my bfa as they really allowed me to explore new techniques, styles and media but once I discovered what I liked I wanted to make more.


In my bfa I had a lot of great professors that really pushed me and believed in me. They were quite excited when I told them I wanted to pursue an mfa. You can read more about my time of my bfa at Lakehead University by clicking here! 


In summary, I wanted to do my mfa because I wasn’t done learning, I wanted to keep reading and researching, I wasn’t ready to start working, I wanted to continue to use this time to be a student. I knew that when I would start working full time or having a baby that it would be really difficult to balance my time and to make as much art as I wanted to make. I just wanted to take advantage of this time and make more art. I had a really strong vision about making art, exhibiting art and making my income from being a full time artist. You can read more about why I wanted to become an artist here!


So, should you take your mfa? That’s completely up to you. Keep in mind, that when you submit your portfolio for your mfa you will need a cohesive body of work. You will also need to write a clear letter of intent on what you plan to do while pursuing your mfa. If you need help with your mfa portfolio application - click the button below to check out one on one coaching with me where I can help you with your application and give you feedback!



If you need help with your bfa art portfolio - download my FREE guide with 10 tips for making your art portfolio stand out and get accepted! 



The Biggest Difference Between BFA and MFA


I want to share the biggest difference between BFA and an MFA. As an artist who attended both a BFA and MFA program for Fine Arts I want to share some of the differences and similarities between both of the programs. Learn the biggest difference between BFA and an MFA by reading more below! 



The Biggest Difference Between a BFA and an MFA Program 


The biggest difference between a BFA and an MFA is the level of independence you have as a student. In both programs as you move throughout the years from a first year student to a senior in your final year there is more independence. This level of independence is to prepare you for the “real world.” So, that you can be successful in whatever path you choose as an artist- whether it be having exhibitions, applying to grants, teaching at a college or workshops, working at an art gallery etc. 


With an MFA program in particular, you apply knowing you have a plan in place. In many MFA applications you create a letter of intent stating what you intend to do while in the MFA program. In your letter of intent you might explain what you plan on researching, what techniques you want to try, what installation methods you want to try and what your goals are for taking the program. What type of artist do you want to be? What do you hope to get out of the MFA program?



If you are needing help writing your letter of intent you can check out my one on one coaching and I am happy to review your letter of intent in an hour or half hour coaching session. 

Click the button below to book a coaching session with me! 



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Other Differences Between BFA and MFA programs:


Readings 

An MFA program is usually more research focused. There are more papers you need to write as a student and more required and suggested readings. Required readings are assigned by a professor in a class - often you are graded on participation and a written response in relation to the assigned reading. 

Suggested readings are given to you by your professor or a visiting lecturer as a reading you should look into that will help you develop as an artist. The suggested readings might be based on a technique you use, an artist working in a similar style or medium (either a contemporary artist or an artist from history), or based on the subject matter you are making art about.  These readings might get suggested to you during a critique or while meeting with your professor.


Both types of reading are valuable and help you really develop the way you talk and write about your work. 


You can read more about my MFA time at Concordia University by clicking here. 

You can read more about my BFA time at Lakehead University by clicking here. 

Projects 

In a BFA program, especially the first three years there are a lot of different types of projects. While the projects get more open ended as you progress through your BFA they do start specific. The reason for this is to encourage you to experiment and push yourself and your art. The professors want to challenge you and to help you figure out what art you want to make and why you want to make it. Why does it matter? What does your art communicate?


In an MFA there are little to no guided projects. You are in charge of managing your time and creating what you want to work on. That’s why having a clear letter of intent and clear goals are so important in an MFA.


Due Dates 

In a BFA program there are clear due dates, there are more check ins and in progress critiques. In an MFA there are still deadlines but you need stronger time management skills to be able to manage deadlines. There is less feedback of work in progress as you are often working on art at home or in your studio. There is little to no class time to work on your art in an MFA whereas in a BFA you have some class time so professors can give you timely feedback. 


These are some of the biggest differences between a BFA and MFA program. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about these programs. 



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Winding Road- Art Installation by Jackie Partridge

Winding Road -art installation from 2016 completed in Montreal by artist Jackie Partridge. Here is an art installation from my archive. Winding Road is an art installation from 2016. It is made from Mylar, ink, and thread. It measures 18’x 3.’ I made this work while completing my MFA at Concordia university in Montreal, QC.

I loved using ink and seeing how it pooled to dry making interesting overlapping line drawings. This artwork was inspired by driving along the countryside and looking out the window. This work later turned into an art book - you can see that here!

I chose to paint and draw on a frosted mylar because I like how it looks foggy and isn’t fully transparent. It has a really nice effect when it is backlit with lights in an art exhibition. 

I later turned these paintings into Fielding Through and Field of Green. For the work Fielding Through I sewed some of these pieces together using white thread and my sewing machine to create an accordion style book that was able to stretch and pull a part. For Field of Green some of the larger pieces were hung on the wall behind the sheet curtain of painted fabric. 

As an artist, I often rework my artwork to add to it or to morph it into new artwork or installations. I like that art is able to change and evolve over time. By taking a look at my current artwork below you will be able to see some similarities between pieces as art is inspired by previous pieces.

To see my current art practice -click here!

Winding Road ink on mylar installation by Jackie Partridge

Winding Road ink on mylar installation by Jackie Partridge

Detail of Winding Road by Jackie Partridge

Detail of Winding Road by Jackie Partridge

Related Articles and Artwork

Fielding Through - inspired by this piece

Field of Green -inspired by this piece

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