Master of Fine Arts in Studio
Writing saic.edu/mfaw
Professional preparation
The Master of Fine Arts in Writing (MFAW) program offers students the opportunity to explore diverse writing genres, emphasizing cross-disciplinary experimentation and discovery, and nurturing emerging writers as well as visual artists who view language as vital to their creative practice.
The department provides students with a variety of hands-on opportunities to prepare for a post-graduate career. Students often serve as editors and journalists for SAIC’s F Newsmagazine and other independent publications. They produce a reading series, podcasts and programming for the student-run radio station, Free Radio SAIC. Students share their work and participate in peer critiques through a student-organized series. Program alums go on to write and publish books and stage plays, perform, teach, and manage galleries, small presses, independent theater spaces, and salons, both nationally and internationally.
Freedom to explore The department nurtures the unique potential, process and production of each individual student. We draw freely from disciplines of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, playwriting, and comics—integrating new media, film, fashion, sculpture, art history and design. Students may customize each course of study with seminars and workshops on such topics as digital poetics, longform narrative, ekphrastic poetry, text art, virtual staging and more.
Accomplished faculty The program is led by a distinguished faculty of poets, authors, and artists. Interactions with students are modeled on the tradition of artist studio visits, with faculty offering in-depth insight and feedback on projects. Workshops, seminars, and electives foster deeper engagement with interdisciplinary work to support student growth. The department regularly hosts visiting writers, artists, and designers, such as Christian Campbell, Cathy Park Hong, Juan Martinez, Maggie Nelson, Amitav Gosh, Claudia Rankine, Layli Long Soldier, and Mai Der Vang. Nakiyah T.M. Jordan Prayer Portal, 2023
For more information on requirements, please visit:
saic.edu/mfaw
Scholarships and grants New Artist Society and Visionary scholarships are awarded to applicants of exceptional promise as part of the admissions process. Students may apply for teaching assistantships, or to tutor in our Writing Center and for small project grants. Three MFAW fellowships are awarded to graduating students each year.
BlackBox Studio 808 Our BlackBox Studio is designed to encourage writing-driven and transdisciplinary studio practice. Its modular smartspace layout features pinnable walls for exhibition and critique. The adjoining BookLab is equipped with tools and materials to aid the research and production of independent publications, artists’ books and related phenomena.
Curriculum Requirements WRIT 5001 Writing Workshop
12
WRIT 5500 Topics in Writing Seminar
12
MFA 6009 Graduate Projects (minimum of 12 credits with writing advisors)
24
Electives Courses at the 3000 level or above. Art History courses must be at the 4000 level or above
12
Participation in four graduate critiques Inclusion in one of the culminating graduate exhibitions, events or publications Completion of the thesis Total Credit Hours
Faculty SALLY ALATALO JESSE BALL MARK BOOTH JANET DESAULNIERS SARA LEVINE RUTH MARGRAFF JAMES MCMANUS BETH NUGENT For complete faculty listing visit: saic.edu/mfaw
John W. Bateman 2022
60
Students may select internships to satisfy up to 6 hours of elective credit.
Application Process
Nakiyah T.M. Jordan performing a reading of a prose poem at the show she curated titled PENDULUM, 2023
Submit: › Online application › Application fee › Official college transcripts › Statement of purpose › Letters of recommendation › ePortfolio › Résumé
Application Deadline: January 10 Samara Elán Huggins, Sorrel Soulangeana, 2023
Caroline Preziosi Windows, 2022
Samara Elán Huggins Roots: Unweaving, 2023
Graduate Admissions 36 South Wabash Avenue, suite 1201 Chicago, IL 60603 Phone 312.629.6100 / 800.232.7242 gradmiss@saic.edu
For application requirements, visit saic.edu/mfaw