MFA or MVA, Master of Fine Arts or Master of Visual Arts is a post graduate degree in the Fine arts field. It is a two year program where in studies are conducted in the areas of Sculpture, theatre, Painting, Photography, and Dancing etc. In India many premier universities and institutes are offering the post graduate degree in fine arts. The aspirants can also pursue the course through online mode from some international universities. During the course period the candidates have to undergo training under a guide allotted by the institution. The increasing popularity of the profession is attracting many students to this field.

Advantages or Benefits of Doing Master of Fine Arts

The degree helps the candidates to attain the advanced skills in the particular discipline and thus being a professional in the particular field. The course will mould one to take the responsibilities in their particular domain with a balance attitude. The program is designed to boost up the individual talent and their creative skills. It will help the learner to understand the market of their creativity and will provide them a valuable exposure and experience in the diverse filed.

Eligibility Criteria for MFA program

The basic eligibility requirement for pursuing the Master of fine Arts degree is the bachelor’s course in the Fine arts from a recognized university in India or abroad. They must have at least 50% marks in the qualifying university examination. The candidates can apply to only that specialization in which they have the bachelor’s degree. The final year students can take the entrance test, but they must submit their certificate at the time of admission. The foreign students are also eligible to apply in the Indian university provided that they submit the latest TOFEL or GMAT score. The Indian candidates also need the score to do their programs in the foreign universities.

Admission Procedure for MFA program

The universities and the institutions that offers this course conducts an entrance examination to select the right candidates. The universities or the institutes put cut off marks in admission test and those who are able to meet this are eligible for an admission into the MFA program. The universities are conducting their admission test for the MFA program mostly in the month of May and June. The candidates meeting the eligibility requirement can take the entrance examination conducted by the preferred institutes/university. The admission test is followed by a studio and personal interview round.

Some of the MFA Entrance exams in India

• Aligarh Muslim University MFA Entrance Examination
• Bhanarus Hindu University Post Graduate Entrance Test
• Central University of Himachal Pradesh Post Graduate Admission Test
• Delhi University PET
• Hyderabad University Entrance examination- Post Graduate Programs
• IGNOU Entrance examination
• Jamia Millia Islamia University Post Graduate Entrance Examination
• Lucknow University Post Graduate Entrance Test
• Mumbai University Entrance Examination

How to fill in MFA Entrance Application form?

The candidates can fill the form by the online as well as the offline methods, depending on the entrance examination. The applicants can get the detailed information about filling the form in the online or offline prospectus. They aspirants should make sure that the given information is correct and valid as per the requirements. There will be a check list given for the students which include the list of necessary attachments to be submitted with the application form. For most of the entrance examination the students should submit a personal essay, critical analysis about a subject related to their domain and should also submit personal details about themselves. These writings will be considered at the time of the final interview.

MFA Entrance Exam Pattern

Most of the entrance test consists of the theoretical objective type question as well as the practical sessions. The duration of the test varies from 60 minutes to 200 minutes. The objective of the entrance examination is to measure the candidate’s knowledge and creativity in the particular domain. The performance in the admission test is the basis of further selection process.

Coaching Centers for MFA Entrance Exam

• AFS Academy
• Arkin
• Bhanwar Rathore Design Studio
• Silica
• Target Design Academy
• Trendz Academy
• VIFA coaching classes

Reference Books for MFA Entrance Exam

• Writing Dialogue by Tom Chiarella
• Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Painting by John F. Carlson
• A Modern Introduction to Indian Aesthetic Theory by Barlingay, S.S
• The Writers Digest Guide to Query Letters by Wendy Burt-Thomas
• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
• Elements of Indian aesthetics by S. N. Ghoshal
• A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture by James Stevens Curl
• Writing Skills by Dr. Ayesha Banatwalla
• The Art and Architecture of India by Benjamin Rowland
• Design Basic by Devid A. Lauer
• Anatomy and Drawing by Victor Pirard
• Water Colour by Milind Mulik
• Sketch Karata by Shivaji Tupe
• Popular Master of Fine Arts Colleges in India
• Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
• Amity School Of Fine Arts - Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• Anitoons the School of Animation, Ghaziabad
• Banaras Hindu University
• Central University of Himachal Pradesh
• Government College For Men, Kumbakonam
• Indira Gandhi National Open University
• Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh
• Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi
• Jeevan Scientific Technology Limited, Hyderabad
• Kakatiya University, Warangal
• Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra
• Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalay, Satna
• Rabindra Bharati University
• University Of Bombay, Mumbai
• University Of Delhi, Delhi
• University Of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
• University Of Lucknow, Lucknow
• Visva - Santiniketan, West Bengal
• Visvabharati University, Birbhum

MFA course curriculum

The course of the MFA program is designed into four semesters and the candidates have to undergo a training program in the institution. The students must have a total of 40-60 credits theoretical papers in addition to the practical sessions. The curriculum of the MFA course include

• Practical studio
• Prescribed theory subjects
• Research Paper

The last semester is allotted for the research paper; the student can take a topic within the specialization domain and should submit a thesis work on the topic. The student will get the suitable guidance from the experts in the subject. Some of the institutes stress for a compulsory internship work under any reputed firm in the particular area for the last semester students.

Specializations

The popular specialization topics include,

• Architecture
• Comics
• Conceptual Art
• Dance
• Music
• Illustration
• Painting and Drawing
• Photography
• Printmaking and Imaging
• Sculpture
• Theatre

MFA Course Evaluation

Yearly written examinations will be conducted as part of the evaluation criteria for the MFA course. Written exam will be conducted where in the knowledge of the candidates in the theory part will be put to test. Apart from the written exam, a Viva will be held with respect to the project that they have submitted. A practical workshop will also be conducted as part of the evaluation criteria.  The classroom discussions as well as the assignments are also part of the internal evaluation criteria.

MFA Text Books

• Body Art/Performing the Subject by Amelia Jones
• Choreography by Sandra Cerney Minton
• Conceptual Art A&I (Art and Ideas) by Tony Godfrey
• Conceptual Art: A Critical Anthology by Alexander Alberro
• Conditioning For Dance by Eric Franklin
• Dance Anatomy And Kinesiology by Karen Sue Kalippinger
• Dance Anatomy by Jacqui Haas
• Performance Art: From Futurism to the Present (World of Art) by Roselee Goldberg
• Performance: Live Art Since the ’60s by Roselee Goldberg
• Photography: MFA Highlights by Anne Havinga , Karen Haas and Nancy Keeler
• Six Years: The Dematerialization of the Art Object from 1966 to 1972 by Lucy Lippard

What to do after MFA?

After the completion of MFA, a candidate has a number of options. They can go for gaining more knowledge in the specialization field or can start earning by finding a suitable job. The candidates can enroll themselves for PhD programs which will help them to reach higher heights in their career. The people can also find many other advanced programs in the fine arts subjects as part of their studies.

The candidates have good opportunity in academics field too. Those who have the interest towards academic field can go in for job as a instructor/faculty. Equal opportunity is also available for jobs in government and non governmental departments. Self employment is also another major option for the professionals in this filed.

Job and Career options for MFA

The career options are immense in this area. This is an interesting are where in the career prospects fully depend on individual talents and the way in which the candidate perceives the course on a whole. The candidate after completing the MFA/MVA will have opportunity in various government as well as private colleges or universities as Lecturers/Professors. Another career may be designing which may involve designing of stamps for the postal departments and also travel brochures for transport and Tourism industries. The important advantage of this course may be that one can increase their creativity by opting to be an independent artist. One can also be self employed through this course.

Employment Areas

• Art Critic
• Art Consultant
• Art Studios
• Advertising Companies
• Animation Companies
• Boutiques
• Cartoon Carping
• Comics
• Educational Institutes
• Fashion Houses
• Music Companies
• Publishing Houses
• Tourism Industry
• Tailoring Shops
• Television Industry
• Theatres
• Web Designing Companies

Job Types

• 3d Artist
• Art Critic
• Art Restorers
• Art Teacher
• Animator
• Art Director
• Creative Director
• Drawing Teacher
• Editor
• Furniture Designer
• Freelance Workers
• Graphic Artist / Designer
• Gemologist
• Jewellery Designers
• Musicians
• Music Teacher
• Photographer
• Production Artist
• Professor
• Senior Graphic Designer
• Sr. Art Director
• Set Designer
• Teacher (Art, Music, Theatre)
• Theatre Director

Remuneration after MFA

As in every other job, the remuneration in this field also varies according to the expertise and experience of individuals. The artistic and creative nature and talent differs from person to person. There is no fixed standard in the salary part. The candidates after completing MFA will have lucrative pay packages. The pay packages will depend upon the job profile, organization, specialization etc. The candidates having experience in the same field will get an additional advantage in this area. For the fresher in the field, they can expect a starting salary of Rs.12,000-15,000/month and with experience one can command per month salary in lakhs.