Business Administration - John F. Kennedy University

College of
Professional Studies
College of Professional Studies
artists—particularly those working with some aspect of art and
spirituality. Exhibitions and gallery lectures by invited artists give
students direct contact with the art and artists who are trans forming
the world. These exhibitions also allow the larger community to
participate in the exciting new developments in Arts &
Consciousness. Approximately 3,500 people each year visit the Arts
& Consciousness gallery.
Student exhibitions are also held throughout the year. MFA
students generally finish the program with a solo exhibition in the
A&C gallery. Other student exhibitions are held for groups of MA
or MFA students whose work explores common areas related to
their studies in studio or transformative arts. An annual exhibition
of BFA students’ work is a key aspect of the BFA degree program.
Visiting artists
An important aspect of the Arts & Consciousness program is the
frequent presence of prominent visiting artists, whose work gives
students a sense of their own connection to the outside art world.
Gallery lectures are generally offered by artists whose work is
exhibited in the A&C gallery. Artists are frequently invited to offer
non-credit lectures and workshops through the JFK University
continuing education program. In addition, each quarter, visiting
artists are invited to offer special classes to A&C students as part
of the regular A&C curriculum (as a way of facilitating dialogue
with artists whose work connects to the mission of A&C). Many
classes taught throughout the year feature invited guests whose
lectures are open to all A&C stu dents.
Mfa in Studio arts
Admission to the MFA program is based on artistic achievement,
prior academic performance, and a demonstrated commitment to
art. Students participate in a lively and active community of artists
through formal critiques, mentorships with artists in the
community, and a stimulating range of courses that help students
integrate art-making with personal growth and cultural expres sion.
There are no distinctions between artists of different media in the
MFA program. The A&C community is composed of painters,
performance artists, video artists and installation artists,
photographers, printmakers, sculptors, and those whose artwork
defies categorization. Through a rigorous combination of studio
work, critique, and academic investigation, a common language of
inner process and artistic intent is developed. Students form a
strong community to support each other in the search for
immanent and transcendent meaning in art. The program
con cludes with the development of an extensive artist’s statement
and a final exhibition or performance of the student’s artwork that
meets the program’s standards for artistic excellence.
Program learning outcomes
• Skill. Technical and formal resolution of artwork, consistent
with highest contemporary standards for professional artists.
• Cultural competence. Integration of cultural concepts from
multiple sources and awareness of cultural pluralism.
• Creative process. Ability to discuss verbally and in writing, as
well as demonstrate through artwork, an awareness and
commitment to ongoing creative process, including insight into
the psycho-cultural implications of creativity and self-expression
as relevant issues in contemporary art.
• Professional practice. demonstration of professional
presenta tion of artwork and knowledge of personal and
pro fessional practices associated with the candidate’s chosen
career path in the arts.
• Academic competence. Knowledge of contemporary and
historical philosophical foundations for art. Knowledge of
cultural, conceptual, and formal dimensions of contemporary
arts criticism and its impact on the candidate’s artwork.
demonstration of written and verbal skill which enable
par ticipation in philosophical dialogue in contemporary arts.
• Spirituality and personal transformation. demonstrated
aware ness of links between inner and outer realities. Evidence
of substantial personal and spiritual growth as a result of creative
self-expression and cultural signification. recognition of
spiritual issues in contemporary art and culture.
admission requirements
Although an undergraduate degree in an arts-related field is most
common for MFA applicants, a bachelor’s degree in any field will
suffice for the purpose of admission. Applicants to the MFA
program must have completed a world art history survey course, a
course in the history of modern art, and at least one course in
contemporary art history dealing with 20th-century European and
American art, completed within the past five years.
Arts & Consciousness admits students to the MFA program in the
fall quarter only with an application dead line of June 15. Late
applications will be considered on a space-available basis. A & C
prefers that all required sup porting documentation also be
submitted by the deadline.
Applicants must submit a portfolio documenting their creative
work. For most visual arts, submit 10–20 color slides on a Cd or
dvd, clearly marked with the artist’s name, slide number, and
orientation for viewing (dots or arrows indicating top). Include a
separate sheet listing the artist’s name and slides in numerical order,
indicating title, medium, technique, size, and date pro duced as well
as a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of the slides. For
work in performance, installation, or other time-based media, a
vHS tape, dvd, or Cd-rOM of 5–10 minutes in length should be
submitted along with appropriate stamped packaging for return.
74 College of Professional Studies JOHn F. KEnnEdy UnIvErSITy