Fibers and Material Studies MFA

Master of Fine Arts in Fibers and Material Studies

Cultivate a rigorous studio practice with the听Master of Fine Arts in Fibers and Material Studies in the at 51动漫. This听interdisciplinary two-year, 60-credit graduate program attracts students who interrogate materiality through a historic, social听and political lens and define their work with fibers and materials broadly, often experimenting with sound, installation and performance.

With guidance from an , Fibers and Material Studies Master of Fine Arts students work independently to augment a practice grounded in conceptual awareness of key discourses听within the critical study of fibers and material. Discourses include

cultural appropriation,
DIY and sustainability,
economy,
feminism,
globalization,
labor,
race,
Queer studies听and
the historic role of women and people of color in textile production.

Explore your chosen discipline while broadly investigating a diversity of听art-making practices. Spend extensive studio time in your core area of practice听and engage with colleagues in听weekly critiques and critical discourse within a boundary-pushing community that values a robust exchange of ideas.听The Fibers and Material Studies MFA听curriculum emphasizes mentorship, interdisciplinarity, inquiry and research to enrich practices and create theoretical, philosophical and concrete links between art and society.听

Select a committee of advisors from disciplines across the university, working with them one on one to receive critical feedback. Students take art history classes and seminars that engage emerging topics in the field, the broader art world, and social and political inquiry.听

Students can apply for teaching assistantships and participate in our artist-in-residence program. Under the mentorship of engaged faculty and visiting artists on the cutting-edge of creative practice and critical inquiry, students find a compassionate, inclusive environment primed for experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration听and independent study.听

Many Tyler MFA students choose to pursue summer study abroad opportunities at , a home base for immersive artistic, academic听and cultural exploration for Tyler students since 1966.听

A person with glasses stands next to a sewing machine with a backwards neon sign behind them.

Natural Dye Garden &听Queer Materials Lab听

Fibers & Material Studies Master of Fine Arts students collaborate across the school through projects like Tyler鈥檚 Natural Dye Garden, which produces plant and flower materials to make dyes, as well as leverage Philadelphia鈥檚 landscape and vibrant DIY art scene to conduct community-based projects; study social and political issues; and examine the relationship between materials, processes, and concepts. Launched by fibers program head 鈥攔enowned for their manipulation and transformation of materials鈥攖he opens up opportunities for students to work with visiting artists and join a broader LGBTQIA+ discourse.听

Program Format & Curriculum 听

With core courses aligned over two weekdays, students have considerable flexibility and choice when selecting art history, elective and seminar classes, either within Tyler鈥檚 graduate curriculum or across the university. Courses in critique and critical discourse are foundational to the first year of study. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, students also participate in directed studio research and an MFA thesis gallery exhibition in their final semester of study.听

The Fibers & Material Studies MFA curriculum deeply considers听the historic and political lineage of materials and how it influences both the creators and their creative output. Students explore issues around BIPOC and Queer identity, power, sustainability鈥痑nd more. Art history classes, electives and seminars engage them in emerging topics in the field and the broader art world. Influential visiting artists and programs are matched to each cohort to accelerate their growth.鈥�

Examples of听the Master of Fine Arts in Fibers & Material Studies听coursework include the following classes.听

Art History Seminar (5000, 8000 or 9000 level)听
Critique and Critical Discourse I and II听
Directed Studio Practice听
Graduate Projects, Fibers听
Master of Fine Arts Thesis听

鈥�Learn more about the coursework for the Fibers & Material Studies MFA.

Related Graduate Degrees听听

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Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51动漫鈥檚 commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Fine Arts听offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2024鈥�2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,318.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,751.00 per credit

You can view the full .

Our Advisors

Tyler's offers every Tyler student one-on-one, personal and academic guidance, beginning at Orientation right through to graduation. Our academic advisors will help you chart your course through your听program, and ensure you are on a clear听path.听

Advisors are available to discuss registration, study abroad and staying on track to graduate, as well as policy and procedures and navigating other available resources across the university.听

Appointments with the advising team can be made by visiting the Student Tools tab in . General questions can be submitted to the team's during regular business hours, 8 a.m.鈥�5 p.m., Monday through Friday.听

Academic Advising Office听
Tyler 212听听
2001 N. 13th St.听
Philadelphia, PA 19122听

Program Contact

Student Clubs & Organizations

Enhance your coursework, build meaningful networks and gain leadership experience by participating in student-led clubs and organizations. Below are examples of groups at Tyler that can help you grow academically, creatively and professionally.听

is a graduate, student-led organization that connects Tyler peers with resources, information, social events and other activities, including publication of the annual MFA thesis catalog.听
is an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization. AIAS provides unmatched programs, information and resources on issues critical to architectural education.听
provides a forum for exchange of ideas that enriches the experience of graduate art history students, including events, guest lectures, interaction with alumni, museum trips and peer gatherings that support new students and aid advisors in recruiting prospective students.听
at 51动漫鈥檚 Ambler Campus works to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, education and fellowship.听

Study Away

Exposure to diverse cultures, environments and mindsets is essential for art, architecture and design students. At Tyler, you are encouraged to broaden your perspective and explore unique environments through study away programs.听

Programs to study in ,听听and Venice are offered throughout the year.听

For a half-century, has been a center for hands-on, interdisciplinary learning, where the 鈥淓ternal City鈥� is the classroom, the studio and the campus. It offers extensive experiences for art and architecture students, with courses in architecture, art history, drawing, liberal arts, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.听听

51动漫 Japan offers a . Students may also take individual digital photography, art history and architecture courses on the Japan campus.听

The Education Abroad and Overseas Campuses office is available to answer questions.听
Email: study.abroad@temple.edu听
Phone: 215-204-0720

Accreditation

Tyler School of Art and Architecture鈥檚 degree programs are accredited by the following accrediting bodies.听

Tyler School of Art and Architecture鈥檚 architecture and environmental design programs are accredited by the following accrediting bodies.听

听(Master of Architecture)
听(Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture)
听(Master of Science in City and Regional Planning)
听(Bachelor of Science in Facilities Management)

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