One of the only graduate-level contemporary live art programs in the country, our Performance program cultivates artists who produce experimental work that reflects radically changing concepts of the body, time-based art, social practice, new media technologies, and the social and cultural conditions of a mobile society.
Breaking boundaries
Students engage in performance re-enactments, social justice and activism, abandoned practices, performance lectures, immersive technologies and social networking performance, tactical and site-specific performance, and choreographic actions. Rigorous approaches to assessment and critique are applied throughout the program, emphasizing structured dialogue and response. Our interdisciplinary approach is well suited to the fluid nature of performance, and students are encouraged to explore other SAIC departments to enhance their work.
Renowned faculty
Internationally renowned artists lead our department, and nurture students as independent practitioners, asking them to examine their practices through political, social, and philosophical lenses. Students are challenged to make bold statements in their work through experimentation and discovery.
Professional experience and connections
Students are provided guidance for showings and curatorial projects, and have the opportunity to share their work through public events such as the annual fall New Blood Performance Festival and the spring IMPACT Performance Festival. Guest artists are regularly invited for symposia, workshops and individual graduate critiques. Representatives from organizations such as Franklin Furnace, Inc., Performa (NYC), SPILL International Festival of Performance (UK), City of Women (Slovenia), and the ANTI Festival (Finland) engage in dialogue about their work and share networks and postMFA opportunities.
For more information on the program and application requirements, please visit: saic.edu/performance
Local exhibitions
Students work in the galleries and spaces of Chicago’s performance community, including experimental, nontraditional, and artist-initiated spaces. The city itself is an urban classroom, with students having the opportunity to engage throughout numerous communities through projects and performances.
Specialized equipment
Students have access to an 80’ × 40’ × 14’ multi-use performance space and a dedicated graduate performance studio and installation space, both with a programmable LCD lighting system and a wide range of audiovisual equipment, including a 4K video camera.
Students also have exclusive access to a dedicated Performance department video editing suite. These spaces are managed by a performance technician who works closely with students to help realize their projects from inception to completion.
Faculty
MARK JEFFERY
VANESSA MACAULAY
ALIZA SHVARTS
ROBERTO SIFUENTES
Professor Emeritus
LIN HIXSON
For complete faculty listing visit: saic.edu/performance
Curriculum Requirements
Participation in four graduate critiques
Participation in ONE of the following as appropriate to artistic practice: Graduate Exhibition, Graduate Performance Event, Graduate Screenings
Application Process
Submit:
› Online application
› Official college transcripts
› Statement of purpose
› Letters of recommendation
› ePortfolio
› Résumé
Application Deadline: January 10
