Fiber & Material Studies
saic.edu/fiber
The Fiber and Material Studies department is research-based, concept-driven, and resolutely engaged with hands-on making. Born from textile traditions and cultures, the Fiber and Material Studies department encourages students to think both about and through materials, investigating technique and expanding the use of the medium. The department emphasizes technical skill development together with deep engagement with textile processes, materials, techniques, histories, and politics. Graduate students work across a wide range of fiber techniques and materials and take part in transdisciplinary engagement with disciplines such as painting, ceramics, sculpture, lens based and new media, research practices, installation, performance, scholarly and creative writing, collaborative projects, and community organizing.
World-renowned program
The program, the largest and best resourced program of its kind in the world, is led by an impressive and diverse group of faculty. It is a top producer of talent in the field considered in terms of teaching, leadership, and tenure/tenure-track positions at other US fiber and textile programs. Alumni also go on to successful careers as artists, curators, and scholars, and several have founded and/or lead arts organizations, collective studios, and artist residencies.
Rich learning experiences
Graduate students in Fiber and Material Studies take studio classes, seminars, and in-depth advising with faculty of their choosing. The department’s curriculum provides students with the foundation to engage with the history of the medium and understand current developments in the field. Graduate Seminars include in-depth critiques and discussions of practice, research presentations, lectures, studio visits and discussions with visiting artists and scholars.
For more information on the program and application requirements, please visit:
Acclaimed visiting artists
Students participate in critiques, studio visits, and roundtable discussions with visiting artists, curators, and scholars through the department’s Mitchell Lecture series. The Fiber and Material Studies department has hosted prominent lecturers, including Jeffrey Gibson, Tanya Aguiñiga, Josh Faught, Namita Gupta Wiggers, John Chaich, Jenni Sorkin, Chakaia Booker, Elissa Auther, Marie Watt, Stephanie Syjuco, Camille Ann Brewer, Christine Checinska, Diedrick Brackens, Cian Dayrit, Angela Hennessy, Vandana Bhandari, and collaborators Maria Davilla/Eduardo Portillo.
Facilities
Our students have access to individual graduate studios as well as:
• Three TC-2 Digital Jacquard looms
• Dobby loom
• Floor looms (4- to 16-harness)
• Table looms and tapestry looms
• Fully equipped screen printing studio with darkroom and large scale exposure unit and 40-foot table for printing yardage
• Large format heat press
• Fully equipped dye studio with facilities for hot and cold chemical, natural, and indigo dyeing, batik, and resist techniques
• Industrial 10-needle embroidery machine and computerized embroidery machines
• Long arm quilting machines
• Free motion sewing stations
• Industrial sewing machines including sergers, straight stitch, chain stitch
• Fully equipped 2D and sculptural papermaking studio with a Hollander beater, molds, press, and dryer
• Knitting machines
• Plotter/cutter
• Felting equipment including wet felting machine
• Spinning wheels and drop spindles
• Tufting gun
Curriculum Requirements
6009
(21)
(3)
Art History
ARTHI 5002 Graduate Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art (3) or ARTHI 5120 Survey of Modern and Contemporary Architecture and Design (3) Art History Courses at the 4000 level or above (9)
Any course in any area at 3000 level or above
Participation in four graduate critiques
Participation in ONE of the following as appropriate to artistic practice: Graduate Exhibition, Graduate Performance Event, Graduate Screenings
Total Credit Hours
Application Process
Submit:
› Online application
› Official college transcripts
› Statement of purpose
› Letters of recommendation
› ePortfolio
› Résumé
Textile Resource Center
The Textile Resource Center in the Fiber and Material Studies department is a hands-on study collection of historic and contemporary textiles from around the world, books, exhibition catalogs, and contemporary artist projects. The center employs two graduate research assistants, and hosts the classes Micro/Macro Textiles: Artist Research and Contextualizing Textiles