Media and Artistic Research (MA, MFA, PhD)

Interdisciplinary graduate programs in Media, Art, and Performance are designed to fulfil the niche for highly qualified students whose practices and research extend beyond the borders of more traditional programs of study.

In our media and artistic research graduate programs, traditional skills and specializations are amplified and contextualized by both a traditional fine arts perspective and a contemporary cross-disciplinary approach. The programs are intended for students who are motivated to pursue innovative projects in a rigorous intellectual environment that is supported by a flexible framework of coursework and an expansive network of research links to the university community. You will be able to design, develop and implement ideas that compel questions that cross disciplinary and departmental boundaries.

We offer the following interdisciplinary graduate programs:

Master of Arts (MA) in Media and Artistic Research (Thesis)

The Master of Arts program encourages students to consider innovative research questions that investigate new terrain, combining contemporary theoretical and methodological frames in the fine arts and cultural studies beyond the traditional disciplinary boundaries. Its purpose is to train the next generation of arts and culture leaders, including academics, policy-makers, curators, directors of arts organizations, and more.

This program  is designed for completion within one calendar year, enabling people in the work force to return to school to upgrade their credentials in a short amount of time, and creating a clear path for students who want to undertake doctoral-level studies.

The Master of Arts can lead to positions in galleries and museums, arts and culture organizations, government policy work, and more.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Media and Artistic Research (Research and Exhibition)

The MFA provides the training for artists and creative researchers to move directly into professional work in artistic and academic contexts. The art project must be an original contribution to the relevant artistic and interdisciplinary fields. The art project and critical engagement paper must demonstrate careful research design and well-articulated methods and methodologies appropriate to the disciplines involved, and to the interdisciplinary approach taken, and show skills and techniques at an advanced level appropriate to the subjects. The MFA can lead to a professional artist’s practice, work in galleries and museums, arts and culture organizations, government policy work in the arts, and more.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Media and Artistic Research – Path A (Thesis)

This program involves thesis-based investigations aimed at drawing valid conclusions about arts and culture from contemporary theoretical perspectives and supported by course work on contemporary perspectives in arts and culture.

Students entering this program must have demonstrated proficiency in a broad field of learning, and the ability to initiate and evaluate work in the corresponding field. In addition, they must show their ability to work independently in the chosen field to make an original significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge.

Students engaged in this stream are undertaking a critical investigation of arts and culture from a variety of perspectives within the arts or in combination with other disciplines and methodologies. Their research culminates in a thesis of not less than 150 pages and not more than 250 pages.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Media and Artistic Research – Path B (Research-Creation Project)

This program involves artistic research (such as visual art, film, performance, sound, and media) based in an advanced art practice and supported by course work on contemporary perspectives in arts and culture.

Students entering this program must have an exemplary artistic practice, and the research result is an artistic product. They must have demonstrated practical proficiency in a broad field of learning, and the ability to initiate and evaluate work in the corresponding field. In addition, they must show their ability to describe and convey what their artistic practice is about and how it contributes to new knowledge, while working independently in the chosen field to make an original significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge.

Students engaged in this stream are undertaking original artwork, and must document and critically reflect on their project (i.e., through the design and publication of a curated catalogue, public lecture performance, or a documentary interview, etc.) Their research culminates in an art work, and a critical support of it (such as an exhibition essay or catalogue.)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Media and Artistic Research – Path C (Hybrid Research-Creation/Thesis Project)

This program involves thesis and artistic research hybrid investigations in which the advanced artistic practice (visual art, film, performance, sound, and media) is supported by course work and a thesis on contemporary perspectives in arts and culture.

Students entering this program must have demonstrated proficiency in a broad field of learning, and the ability to initiate and evaluate work in the corresponding field. In addition, they must show their ability to work independently in the chosen field to make an original significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge. Students entering this program must also demonstrate an exemplary artistic practice. They must show their ability to describe and convey what their artistic practice is about and how it contributes to new knowledge.

The artistic level of applicants must be high and the work innovative. At the same time, the work must be theorized and contextualized within a critical, methodological and aesthetic context. The result will be an art work and a thesis of approximately 100-150 pages that reflects critically and deeply on the work.

Each of the PhD programs include a capstone opportunity to present doctoral research to the faculty and campus through the Doctoral Research Showcase, in partnership with the Humanities Research Institute.

The interdisciplinary PhD programs are among the few doctoral degrees in Canada focusing on media and artistic research.