About the Program

The Master of Fine Arts Program is a two-year, full-time, studio-based program located in the center of Los Angeles. With only 16 students enrolled each year, the program provides a highly individualized experience, and its interdisciplinary nature encourages wide-ranging experimental and intellectual exploration. Students work closely with an internationally recognized faculty comprising Jud Fine, Sharon Lockhart, Frances Stark, and Charlie White. MFA students also work with an expanded community of professional artists, critics, and curators who participate in the weekly Visiting Lecture series, teach Critical Studies courses, and participate in thesis committees. The MFA Program offers generous student funding opportunities and provides each student with exceptional studio and exhibition space.

Recent and current Visiting Core Faculty include Allen Ruppersberg, Ali Subotnick, Sadie Benning, Paul Sietsema, Evan Holloway, and A. L. Steiner; recent Graduate Instructors have included Bruce Hainley, Paul Chan, Britt Salvesen, Glenn Phillips, and Stanya Kahn; and recent guest lecturers have included Martha Rosler, Douglas Crimp, Charline von Heyl, Diedrich Diederichsen, Trisha Donnelly, Allan McCollum, Yvonne Rainer, Dana Schutz, Tim Griffin, Norman Bryson, Edgar Arceneaux, Harrell Fletcher, Justine Kurland, Vanessa Beecroft, Tony Conrad, and Raymond Pettibon.

Graduate Lecture Series

The Graduate Lecture Series, or Visiting Artist Forum, is open to the public and consists of a two-hour, in-depth presentation by a prominent artist, writer, or curator, followed by a group discussion that allows students and faculty to raise questions, ideas, and problems. Unless otherwise noted, all lectures are held in the Graduate Fine Arts Building Lecture Forum.

Upcoming Lecture:

See all upcoming MFA Lectures.

USC International Artists

USC recently announced the creation of the USC InternatIonal Artists, a graduate fellowship for promising artists from across the Pacific Rim and key emerging societies of the world. Beginning in the fall of 2013, the fellowships will allow emerging artists to work with internationally acclaimed faculty in any one of USC's five arts schools.

For more info, click here.