There’s something special about finding a graduate program dedicated to experimental interdisciplinary visual arts on the West Coast in an academic landscape where institutions are hard pressed to maintain an exclusive focus on these important studio practices or advocate for them within institutional shifts—as evidenced by the tumultuous journey of mergers like Mills College with Northeastern University[1]and San Francisco Art Institute (where I attended graduate school) with University of San Francisco.[2] Sierra Nevada University is slated to Merge with University of Nevada, Reno on July 1,[3] which will then house the MFA-IA program that strives to maintain its artist-led resolve even within the structures of accreditation and shifting departmental expectations involved in such mergers. So how has the program managed thus far to create this special space for experimentation within its low-residency program pedagogy, and how is it continuing to do so? Assistant Director Anza Jarschke shares: Read More
New Mexico-based artist and researcher Nina Elder joined the faculty of Sierra Nevada University’s MFA-IA program this January just in time to teach at her first residency. While New Mexico is in her roots, Elder’s projects take her all over the United States connecting with people, place, and environment.
The MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts (MFA-IA) at Sierra Nevada University is thrilled to hold the Winter 2022 residency in-person along the stunning shores of North Lake Tahoe, taking place January 3-12, 2022.
We welcome a new faculty member, Nina Elder, to teach a section of Focused Studio Practice. Focused Studio Practice is a special topics studio course designed to take advantage of a particular vision and expertise of the teaching Visiting Artist or Scholar, who expands our sense of community from the Tahoe Basin outward.
There are a few spots still available to start in Winter 2021. Please get in touch with Julia Schwadron immediately should you have an interest in attending this winter.
Priority deadline has been extended for summer 2021 residency! Apply by February 28, 2021. Apply here.
The MFA-IA Summer Residency 2020 will be held virtually, as SNU as an institution has decided on a continuation of a virtual format until mid-fall. The Tahoe region is known as a place to retreat, and it is already attracting more people from all over than usual, thus putting our MFA community at high risk for COVID-19 transmission. We are extending the dates of our residency, and those will now be August 7 – 21. This expansion from its original dates, guided by the voices of our community, will allow time for recovering energy, and hopefully allow more opportunity for points of contact that might have happened spontaneously in person, as well as more time to work on your individual practices. Additionally, we have decided to continue a series of Artist Lectures over the course of the fall semester, offered virtually, to allow additional ways to engage alumni voices as well. Read More
There are a few spots still available to start in Winter 2020. Please get in touch with Julia Schwadron immediately should you have an interest in attending this winter.
There are a few spots still available to start in Winter 2018! Please get in touch with Julia Schwadron immediately should you have an interest in attending the MFA Interdisciplinary Arts residency this winter.
![Low-Residency MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts [MFA-IA]](https://interdisciplinaryarts.org/files/2020/12/mfaia.png)