DX Media MFA Program Accepting Applications

MFA Digital/Experimental Media Program at Kansas State University
http://art.ksu.edu/grad/digital.html

The Digital/Experimental (DX) Media program at Kansas State University is now accepting applications for its MFA in Digital/Experimental Media through January 15th, 2015.

The DX Media program is an interdisciplinary academic and research program dedicated to exploring the intersections of art, science, technology and society and the experimental application of a wide range of media as art.

The MFA program in Digital/Experimental Media emphasizes cultural production that is informed by historical, philosophical and theoretical study. Students are encouraged to draw from areas outside of traditional art domains and encouraged to question and challenge traditional notions of what constitute valid art media, contexts, and approaches. The program encourages an interdisciplinary lens when creating digital and experimental works, allowing students to explore the blurred lines between art, science, culture, and history. Desired focus areas include (but are not limited to): mapping, imaging, information visualization, ecological and biological practice, social and community practice, electronics and physical computing, interactivity, telecommunications, network art, systems art and sound art. As part of Kansas State University's 2025 initiative, the goal of our emerging program is to be a renown center for creativity, research and practice in cutting edge experimental art and technology.

The MFA is a 3 year program of study involving seminars, studio courses, art history courses, and independent study. Student progress is monitored through a series of open faculty reviews and exhibition of works. A final exhibition at either the department's Mark A. Chapman Gallery or another approved location is required. Students are encouraged to take courses outside of the Department of Art as may be appropriate to their research and development.

In addition to guidance in the development of a cohesive, culminating body of work, the program offers mentorship in the instruction of art for students interested in university teaching. Graduate students receive Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) their first year, with 100% tuition waiver and stipend for full-time appointments. GTAs assist a professor and are assigned to teach courses related to their areas as Instructor of Record. K-state MFA students graduate with strong teaching portfolios and samples of student work.

The DX Media program offers a variety programming involving exhibitions, symposia and visiting artists which compliment the MFA program. We are the hosts of the first "prairie LASER", K-State's chapter of the Leonardo Art Science Evening Rendezvous. DX Media graduate students will be important participants in the development and administration of the K-State LASER program.

The DX Media Lab, the program's research unit, is currently in the developmental stages of research initiatives with other academic units across the university which will provide opportunities for students to participate in transdisciplinary collaborations, publish scholarly texts, develop curatorial projects, receive funding and exhibit their work to a national and international audience. The DX Media Lab will serve as a platform for graduate students to emerge as writers, scholars and curators, as well as conceptually and technically adept artists.

The program seeks students with interests and explorations in emerging technologies and critical analyses of the relationship of society, technology, politics and history. Students with undergraduate majors outside of art are welcome as long as evidence of relevant accomplishment and clear direction are provided.

The DX Media program is located in the Department of Art at Kansas State University, a public research institution in Manhattan, KS. With its historic roots as a land grant university, Kansas State University has long been a leader in agriculture-based science and engineering research. Located within the Flint Hills, the largest remaining area of unplowed tallgrass prairie in North America, K-State is also known for its ecological research on the plants and animals of the Great Plains. The work of K-State’s Konza Prairie Biological Research Station and the recently established Nanotechnology Innovation Center (and its research focus on sustainable agriculture-based nanomaterials) are just two examples of the dynamic and innovative academic culture of the university.

Core faculty:
Carlos Castellanos
Matthew Garcia

Additional Faculty:
Rebecca Bahlmann
Shreepad Joglekar
Michael Wesch
Dukno Yoon


TO APPLY
The complete application procedure can be found online at:
http://art.ksu.edu/grad/admission.html

Deadline for Applications is January 15, 2015.


For more information contact:
Carlos Castellanos, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Kansas State University
[email protected]


The DX Media MFA is not appropriate for students seeking to only learn digital vocational skills without an interest in more experimental exploration of the intersection of art, science, technology and culture.