Iowa State University's Integrated Visual Arts MFA Program in Focus
Iowa State University's Integrated Visual Arts (IVA) program, which is a three-year interdisciplinary MFA offered by the Department of Art and Visual Culture, is featured in the MFA Review. Students collaborate with faculty across various disciplines and explore multiple media. The program incorporates art history classes and is affiliated with a Research 1 institution. Facilities include digital classrooms, a darkroom, and the Student Innovation Center. The curriculum consists of seminars, an art history methods course, and electives, with faculty focusing on emerging media such as video and AI in Art. To graduate, students must complete a thesis exhibition and paper. Each year, four to six students are admitted, with tuition approximately $50,000 for residents and $105,000 for non-residents. Teaching assistantships are offered, and graduates pursue a wide range of careers.
Key facts
- Iowa State University's Integrated Visual Arts (IVA) is a three-year interdisciplinary MFA program.
- The program is housed in the Department of Art and Visual Culture.
- Faculty areas include photography, digital media, printmaking, illustration, painting & drawing, ceramics, metals, textiles, and woods.
- The program encourages interdisciplinary work and allows students to concentrate in one studio area.
- Facilities include a black-and-white darkroom, digital classrooms, the Output Center, and the Student Innovation Center.
- Required courses include a twelve-credit seminar series and an art history methods course.
- Faculty incorporate AI, VR/AR, and 3D rendering in teaching and research.
- Graduation requirements include a thesis exhibition and paper.
- The program admits four to six students per year, with one to two focused on photography.
- Tuition for Iowa residents is roughly $50,000; non-residents pay about $105,000 for six semesters.
- Teaching assistantships cover half of in-state tuition, provide a stipend, and include health insurance.
- The Focus Grant program provides up to $800 for student projects.
- Alumni pursue university teaching, independent art practice, community arts, K-12 teaching, museum work, and nonprofit administration.
Entities
Artists
- Evan Hume
- Johnny DiBlasi
- Austin Stewart
- Olivia Valentine
- Nicole Soriano
- Tashina Azure-Mitchell
- TJ Benson
Institutions
- Iowa State University
- Department of Art and Visual Culture
- College of Design
- Graduate College
- Graduate and Professional Student Senate
- Octagon Center for the Arts
- Gallery 181
- Memorial Union Gallery
- Daylight Books
- Lenscratch
Locations
- Iowa
- Ames
- Des Moines