MFA in Visual & Literary Arts

Lesley’s Low-Residency MFA Visual Arts and Creative Writing Programs have been considered some of the top graduate arts programs in the country. Until now, the two creative areas—visual arts and creative writing—have been siloed in two separate programs, even though, in practice, it is not uncommon for an artist to work professionally in both areas. The MFA in Visual & Literary Arts program combines both art forms in one 60-credit MFA degree. Through communal residency work and in-depth semester study, students discover the urgency that drives their stories and train in their ability as makers and thinkers to blend word and image into original new stories. Of the 60 credits in the MFA-VLA program, 12 credits will be offered for hands-on professional development. These 12 credits will be helpful extra credentials to gain jobs in the field of visual and literary arts. We envision creating partnerships that could be mutually thriving, including classrooms, community writing centers, publishing houses, the LA+D literary magazine, art galleries, and more. The VLA Program’s "Three Pillars" of concentration are: 1. Creative Expression Students will be provided with a rigorous artistic curriculum and be mentored in their ability to engage in creative thinking, constructive problem-solving, and innovative approaches to their creative process in both visual and literary arts. 2. Critical Thinking Students will be able to deliver workshops, seminars, critique groups, and art talks and lectures that address a variety of topics that include theory and context of the visual and literary arts over history. 3. Professional Development Students will refine their professional identity and practice in the visual and literary arts through critical engagement and applied learning that will prepare them for industry-facing positions, professional artistic engagement, and life as a working artist and/or writer.