MFA admission requirements

General Information

• Application to be submitted via AUArtsApply Portal
• Portfolio, cover letter, statement of intent, CV, and reference to be submitted via SlideRoom
• Official transcripts and English Language Proficency test scores (if applicable) to be mailed directly to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies
• Two letters of recommendation in addition to the recommendation form to be submitted with your application

Academic Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts or related discipline or equivalent, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 from a recognized university, or equivalent institution. 

Academic Transcripts

An official transcript is required from all post-secondary institutions you have attended. If you are currently enrolled in classes send an official interim report of grades and follow up with a final transcript showing final grades and degree conferred.

Transcript requests from Alberta post-secondary institutions can be securely processed through the ApplyAUArts Portal during the application process. Transcripts from institutions outside of Alberta can be mailed or emailed to:

Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Room 522
Alberta University of the Arts
522 - 1407 14 Ave NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 4R3
CANADA

graduatestudies@auarts.ca

International Students, please note that transcripts from non-English speaking institutions must be sent in the original language and accompanied by an official, notarized English translation of the transcripts.  Please contact the Office of Research and Graduate Studies for information on equivalency as the minimum requirements differ by country. 

Portfolio and Supporting Documents

The portfolio portion of your MFA application includes examples of your work, statement of intent, cover letter, Curriculum Vitae (CV), and 2 references.

Portfolio

The digital portfolio should include up to 20 examples of work. Applicants may upload images (jpg), video (mov, wmv, flv), audio (mp3) or PDF documents. Relevant publications (reviews, critical essays, etc.) (up to 3) authored by the applicant or others (about your work) as evidence of professional activity may be submitted in PDF format along with a portfolio. Your image files should be around 1024x768 pixels for good image quality and fast uploading.

Cover Letter

Cover letter of no longer than 500 words introducing yourself, your practice, and why you wish to attend AUArts.

How do I submit my portfolio?

Your portfolio, cover letter, statement of intent, CV, and references must be submitted via SlideRoom. Please note, articles, letters and other documents must be submitted in PDF format.

Statement of intent

A statement of intent of graduate study and research in Craft Media at AUArts, between 750-1250 words, outlining:

a. specific educational objectives and your expectations regarding graduate study,

b. how the content/focus of the visual work represented in the portfolio provides a strong foundation for your proposed plan of study,

c. historical, theoretical, and critical awareness of the field(s) of study and your relationship to it,

d. any specific theoretical perspectives, research or production interests and/or intentions, 

e. specific facilities you plan on engaging with (i.e, Jewellery and Metals, Fibre, Ceramics ,Glass, print, photography, sculpture, and Media Arts studios; wood shop, metal shop, Digital fabrication lab, etc.), and

f. potential faculty supervisors listing their names in prioritized order with rationale.

Curriculum Vitae

Your CV should concisely outline related professional experience (exhibitions, publications, awards) and activities that convey a sense of commitment to a career in the arts. Maximum length is four (4) pages.

Letters of recommendation

We require the submission of two references, each written by an independent individual who can provide an objective assessment of your academic and/or professional background, and your capabilities with respect to the MFA program. Unless you’ve been out of school for more than four years, at least one letter (and preferably both) should be written by an academic professional. Letters from non-academics should be written by someone who has supervised you directly in a professional setting. The reference form is a form that is sent through the slideroom system. Once you have entered the referee information in the appropriate field, your referee will receive an email with a link to the reference form and will also have the ability to upload a letter into slideroom. All reference forms must be complete in full, and letters must be uploaded directly to the system by the referee.  If any issues are encountered, please contact the Coordinator in the Office of Research + Graduate Studies. 

For further assistance with the Master of Fine Arts, Craft Media, application process, the Research and Graduate Studies Office can be contacted at graduatestudies@auarts.ca.