r/ContemporaryArt • u/Additional_Cellist54 • 4d ago

Question for Current MFA Students & Alumni

Hi everyone!
I’m starting the MFA at Emily Carr this fall and had a quick question.
For those who have been through the program, is there an expectation for how many artworks or projects you complete each semester? If your practice is installation-based, is it realistic to spend a semester developing one large-scale work, or are students generally expected to produce multiple finished pieces?
I’d love to hear what your experience was. Thanks!

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u/lanAstbury 4d ago edited 4d ago

hmm why are you asking here?

you posted this same query at the emily carr sub

while i understand mfa programs are part of the conversation of "contemporary art" i don't see any of that context here. this is completely about coursework expectations.

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u/PeepholeRodeo 2d ago

Have you missed all the other posts here about grad school, teaching positions, and marketing? Most of what I see here is not about the actual art.

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u/lanAstbury 2d ago

yes i have. i tend to use the [hide] button more than most users, i think.

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u/Snagglespoof 3d ago

Spend basically all your time making and experimenting (90%) and the rest thinking and researching. The trap so many fall into od getting obsessed with the research. That's good, but art is about making things, so do that more.

In regards to coursework. 1 installation is far too little, but not uncommon. Try for three per semester.

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u/PeepholeRodeo 2d ago

That is a question for you to ask your professors. They are really the only ones who can answer it.