The MA in Community Arts, administered by Maryland Institute College of Art’s nationally recognized Center for Art Education, provides a unique credential for visual artists who wish to pursue a career in art-based youth and community development. Graduates emerge with insights, skills, and experience that enable them to be effective community arts professionals.
The 36-credit master’s program, spanning two summers and one academic year, is grounded in the principles of social justice. Students investigate the relationship of the citizen artist and art to community building through dialogue with community members, leaders in government and nonprofit organizations, and professional community artists. Real-world experiences are supported by classroom study of community arts theory and practice, and seminars that help students build professional skills such as grant-writing and build a professional portfolio of their work as community-based artists. Throughout the program, students continue to make their own public/community-based artwork.
During the academic year, students, supported by program faculty and coursework, are placed as full-time resident artists with community organizations, where they work with community leaders to conceive, implement, and manage projects and programs that engage children, youth, and adults in meaningful art experiences; design and implement projects and events that support community initiatives; document and assess the effectiveness of their projects in meeting community interests; and gain hands-on experience in fundraising, curriculum planning, and arts management. The acquisition of core concept and skill courses and independent learning opportunities, are key to defining new paradigms for public/community artmaking.
Students complete 9 credits in the first summer, 9 credits each semester during the academic year, and 9 credits in the final summer.
Contact:
Ken Krafchek, Director, MA in Community Arts Program
Telephone – 410-225-2587
FAX – 410-225-2574
E-mail – kkrafchekMACA {at} aol(.)com
