What is a Master of Fine Art degree?
"The M.F.A., unlike most master's degrees, is used as a guarantee of a high level of professional competence in the visual arts. It is also accepted as an indication that the recipient has reached the end of the formal aspects of his/her education in the making of art, that is to say, it is the terminal degree in visual arts education and thus equivalent to terminal degrees in other fields." (CAA) The Transart Institute meets the MFA Definitions and Standards adopted by CAA, the College Art Association.

Is the Transart Institute’s Master of Fine Arts program accredited?
Yes, the Transart Institute Master of Fine Arts in New Media program is accredited through Danube University Krems.
www.danube-uni.ac.at

What if I don’t have an undergraduate degree?
If you are 24 years of age, with a portfolio and relevant work experience it is possible to be admitted to the MFA program. Applicants will be considered on an individual basis and a selection of supplementary assigned readings and essays can be provided, tailored to the individual applicants needs.

I am already approved for a Stafford Loan in the United States. May I use this loan for your school?
Danube University Krems does not accept Stafford loans at this time. They do however accept student loans from the International Education Finance Corporation. More information about private student loans is here.

Where will I do the library research necessary for the program?
Transart Institute offers access to hundreds of periodicals and subscriptions via online licensed databases as well as a wealth of library research opportunitites and tools.

What is the residency?
18 days of intensive on-site work consisting of symposia, workshops, seminars, critiques, presentations, exhibitions and performances as well as meetings with faculty, semester review and planning. Residencies are annual events occurring at the beginning, middle and end of the program. Two semesters of off-site independent work occur between residencies.

Does the faculty I choose to work with have to reside near me?
No, students choose their faculty based on academic compatibility, not geographic proximity. Communication is by telephone, e-mail, postal mail, and in-person meetings at residencies.

How do I find a mentor artist teacher?
Students choose their own mentors. Faculty, guest artists and lecturers are all good sources for suggestions. Your chosen faculty person will advise you and support your research efforts to find the right mentor and/or media specialist for you and your project. As well, a growing list of available mentors and media specialists with their locations, bios, areas of interest and websites will be listed on our site this spring. It is possible to work with someone not in your geographic proximity as long as it is possible to meet in person, for the required studio visits.

What if I want to work unplugged?
The art work itself, the ideas, content, process and presentation are the focus of the program. Your choice of media is up to you. It should be the media that best expresses what you have to communicate. New media is an open term and is intended here to be inclusive of genres and media not traditionally considered “fine art” as well as analog work like photography or film that do not necessarily involve digital processes. It also implies an awareness of current media and media practices. It isn’t necessary to work digitally to reach the goals of the program.

I’m an artist, not an art historian or a writer, how much research work is involved in the program?
The main emphasis in the program is on studio art. Cultural studies and research are done in support of the studio work. You will be accepted into the program primarily based on your potential and achievements as an artist. Please see the Study Plan Scenario to get a sense of the role your research will have in your studio work.

What if I can’t work 20 hours a week on my school work?
Students need to work an average of 20 hours a week. As working professionals it is understood that the work will not necessarily be evenly distributed among the weeks. Each person must find their rhythm and process of working. 20 hours per week gives you an indication of the overall amount of work expected by faculty and mentors throughout the program.

How is this program different from other MFA programs?
Transart Institute is the only low-residency fine art program which is open to all media genres. Our students are generally working professionals with wider world experience than students from a serial undergraduate/graduate course of study. The low-residency approach, with intensive residencies, gives our students the opportunity for deeper academic experiences than within a traditional full residency context. A significant opportunity which arises with the intensive residency format is the possibility of inviting practicing artists, media specialists and theorists who would not be able to commit to a full residency program because of their careers. Other unique qualities of the program are that it is entirely individual. Each student creates his/her own educational experience through independent study, one-on-one with self-chosen faculty and mentors. Finally, students work in their own studios in their own environment. Traditional programs often necessitate working in temporary on-site studio spaces. Balancing work, family and jobs is one of the more difficult challenges artists face. If students can establish a good, solid artistic praxis with the support of the program in their own environment, chances are much greater the praxis will continue after the program.

With the distance, how is my progress evaluated?
A schedule of written evaluations between you and your chosen faculty and mentor is on going throughout the semesters. Copies of these exchanges are sent to Transart Institute as well. The directors of the program are your guidance counsellors. They review your mentor, faculty and self-evaluations throughout the program and are always available to discuss your work and all other academic matters with you.

Do I need a visa to come?
Due to the low-residency nature of the program you can come with a tourist visa. Transart Institute and Danube University will write you a letter confirming your status as either an applicant or an accepted student.

Will getting my MFA from you help me to qualify for teaching at the college level?
Yes. If you've explored the CAA job listings at www.collegeart.org and the Chronicle of Higher Education http://chronicle.com you'll find that an MFA is required almost without exception. It is a good idea to join these organizations and begin to study their ads so you can prepare yourself.
As this is a European degree, 95 percent of human resource departments will be fine with a copy of your diploma and/or transcripts. If you apply for teaching jobs in community colleges, notably in California, they will ask you for a credential evaluation which will cost you approximately $100. Here is a first list of places which do this:

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 9203
College Station, TX 77844-9203
409-690-8912

Office International Education Services
AACRAO
One Dupont Circle, NW
Suite # 370
Washington, DC 20036-1110

International Education Research Foundations, Inc.
P.O. Box 66940
Los Angeles, CA 9006
213-390-6276