Master of Fine Arts

Summary

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programme at Whitecliffe is a full-time, two-year journey designed to support and prepare you for your professional career as an artist. This is a distance programme, with some in-person seminars, and enables you to live and work anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand while pursuing your studies - to be in your studio.

It is structured around four, week-long seminars per year, and delivered by faculty and guests who are nationally and internationally respected as artists, critics, writers, and curators. This structure allows you to engage with diverse perspectives and stay connected to the broader art world while maintaining your own personal practice.

Your interests will dictate your own individualised direction of study. You'll be assigned two supervisors who will support your studio practice as it develops throughout the programme. This personalised guidance ensures that you receive the specific support needed for your unique artistic journey.

Preparing you for a professional career within a diverse f ield of contemporary art practices, both locally and internationally, the MFA uses its interdisciplinary structure and philosophy help you understand how your art and your artworks operate in the world. Through regular critique, supervisory guidance, seminar participation, and a focus on exhibition and publication practice, you'll develop, hone and refine your individual approach to practice and research.

Throughout the two years, you'll build a substantial portfolio that showcases your growth as an artist and researcher. The programme offers the tools, guidance, and distance you need to explore, experiment, and produce work that is meaningful and impactful.

This is about your work speaking for itself.

We'll provide the knowledge and mentorship you need to thrive, and the industry contacts and exposure needed for you to start your career with confidence and pride.