photo@lesliebauer.com
Date: 08/22/02-08:54:33 PM Z
I would like to ditto Jack's comments, being a student of
his several years ago. My mfa was one of the best
decisions I made. Sure it cost a lot and I will be paying
uncle sam for who knows how long. It was worth every cent.
I got the degree for myself, because I wanted it. Not just
because it would allow me to teach. The points that really
stand out is the community you create, so be sure you are
going to a school in a place you think you may want to
stay. The second is critique, you'll never get any better.
I've been out of school for five years and am still part
of a strong critique group that started the summer we all
graduated.
Highly recommend getting an MFA.
On Wed, 21 Aug 2002 21:40:22 -0700
Jack Fulton <jfulton@itsa.ucsf.edu> wrote:
>
> > I've been wondering about that MFA thing. I wonder if
> the people on this
> > list who have one feel that it has been helpful to them
> at all. Obviously,
> > nowadays if you want to teach full-time at the college
> level, it's a
> > necessity; but is it helpful in any other way?
>
> Yes. Unfortunately many who obtain the degree want to
> teach. I cannot speak
> for all of them but in many situations it seems they want
> a job, security,
> money. Since my job is at a Fine Arts only institution,
> my desire for them
> is to become artists and make photographs. There are
> multiple people in the
> teaching field who made and still make minimal pieces of
> art. Much of their
> success was through circumlocution. Okay, good smart talk
> in class regarding
> a minimal output does not a photographer/artist make in
> my eyes.
> All these instructors/teachers/profess-errs who've been
> mentioned on this
> list perhaps do NOT make much art but know what they like
> .. right? No
> wonder they're adamant in crits .. because they are angry
> at themselves!
>
> However, what I've seen in MFA's is camaraderie, working
> with one's peers at
> an equal level, sharing a common goal, holding and being
> supported regarding
> one's ideals or idealistic concepts about what art is and
> what it takes to
> make it and maintain it. I might also add the critique to
> this. Where else
> does on get such evaluation of one's art production. The
> external world of
> gallery, museum and publication is far more difficult to
> navigate when the
> above qualities are not present. So, yes, an MFA today,
> does mean something
> but I shall maintain is has much to do with the school
> one attends and the
> group of people they are with.
> But, in the long run, you have to be serious and it
> surely helps if you work
> hard at being intelligent . . and don't lie.
> Jack
>
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