Low Residency MFA in Studio Arts program

The Low Residency option at Maine College of Art (MECA) enables students to have a studio anywhere in the world.

Among the first Low Residency, Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art (MFA) programs in the country, Maine College of Art’s rigorous two-year curriculum is distinguished by two eight-week summer intensives in Portland, Maine. MECA is committed to one-on-one student mentoring by distinguished core faculty, carefully selected studio advisors, and nationally and internationally known visiting artists, critics, and curators.

Designed for experienced artists who want to maintain their ongoing careers while earning an MFA, our Low Residency option enables students to have a studio anywhere in the world. With periods of on-and off-campus study, our two-year trimester curriculum emphasizes the intersection of studio production, individual research, critical analysis, and travel to inspiring and important cultural sites. MECA’s MFA Program offers an individualized, dynamic and supportive learning environment for artists who want to define and pursue a sustainable and attainable vision for their art practice.

–Structure promotes flexibility, sustainability and independence
–Online and in-person course work from your home studio
–Carefully selected Non-Resident Studio Advisor for each student
–Participation in summer, winter & May intensives
–National and international travel
–Highly competitive
–Full tuition scholarship available
–On-campus residences and intensives

For information on summer 2020, visit our website here. 

Off-campus study
In the fall and spring trimesters, students return to their home studios and work one-on-one with a carefully selected, local studio advisor who is specifically chosen to support and critique the development of their work. Non-Resident Studio Advisors visit with students 12 times over the course of both semesters.

MECA’s Low Residency structure also features year-round contact with faculty who deliver relevant and topical academic courses via a user-friendly teaching website, supplemented by podcast lectures, discussion forums, self-directed research and personal conversation. Online coursework supplements and illuminates studio work and Core faculty foster rigor and consistency.

The MECA MFA Low Residency option is a full-time 60 credit program of study that runs alongside our Full Residency program.

Studio advisors
With two decades of experience, MECA’s MFA program has established an extensive network of studio advisors across North America and abroad who support students living in any location. Advisors meet one-on-one with students in their personal studios to offer mentorship, critique, and feedback. View the list of past Studio Advisors here.

Graduate faculty
Chris Stiegler, Chair of the MFA in Studio Art and Assistant Professor of Art History
Gail Spaien, Professor of the MFA in Studio Art + Painting
Adriane Herman, Professor of the MFA in Studio Art + Printmaking
Joshua Reiman, Assistant Professor of the MFA in Studio Art + Sculpture
Lauren Fensterstock, Adjunct Assistant Professor of the MFA in Studio Art
Kyle Patnaude, Visiting Assistant Professor, Metalsmithing & Jewelry + MFA in Studio Art
Kate Greene, Visiting Assistant Professor, Photography + MFA in Studio Art
Julie Poitras Santos, Director of Exhibitions 
Katie Vida, Adjunct Assistant Professor of the MFA in Studio Art
Sophie Hamacher, Adjunct Instructor of Art History + MFA in Studio Art
Seth Rogoff, Adjunct Instructor of History + MFA in Studio Art
Brandon Alvendia, Adjunct Instructor of the MFA in Studio Art