Master of Fine Arts programme in Fine Arts
Summary
This international master’s programme equips you to make critical artistic contributions to society. With a focus on the challenges of the roles of art and artists in producing publicness, you will also develop introductory-level skills in artistic research. In a small, diverse cohort you will learn from experienced teachers with academic and artistic practices.
About
In an era of complex societal challenges, the relationship between art, artists, and society must be critically examined, re-thought, and practiced anew. This international programme is dedicated to investigating these concerns. Key to the curriculum are questions of what you produce, how, when, and for whom. These questions intersect with decisions over ethics, aesthetics, artistic production, and the where the work may be sited, situated and circulated including deviating from conventional exhibition formats.
Artistic Enquiries are artistic projects specifically designed to expand public knowledge. These are developed through learning and applying artistic research methods that integrate art practices with theoretical and contextual frameworks.
Over four terms, you will learn to create increasingly specific and nuanced artistic projects, each with its own unique system and logic, addressing questions of publicness and the role of art and the artist.
You will gain the ability to:
• Analyse societal challenges and phenomena from an artist's perspective.
- Apply artistic research methods while producing meaningful artworks and projects.
- Create art projects that are rigorously planned and executed.
- Define how your art and projects are shared, ensuring clarity in their communication.
- Articulate the significance of your art and role as an artist.
With sharpened skills in critical thinking, production, and communication, you will be well-equipped to test the boundaries of what art is and does, contribute to debates on the role of the artist, and confidently argue for the relevance of your work.
Three core objectives
Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops, individual and co-operative projects, balanced with self-directed and peer-to-peer learning. Your progress is assessed via a combination of coursework, and oral and written examinations, focusing on three core objectives:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Skills and abilities
- Judgement and evaluation
Extensive network
HDK-Valand is proud of its extensive network of local, national, and international partnerships, including with L’Internationale Online, the Hasselblad Center, and Röda Sten Konsthall. It has a strong research culture with externally-funded research projects and research centres, including CAPIm–The Centre for Art and the Political Imaginary. It is also home to the PARSE platform for artistic research. You will benefit from a rich array of public symposia, seminars, lectures, and conferences. The programme is actively building a network of cultural actors focused on art and publicness in the Gothenburg area. Students are facilitated to build their own networks.
Learn more about the teaching staff: Jason E. Bowman, Gloria López Cleries, Ann-Charlotte Glasberg-Blomqvist, Dr. Daniel Jewesbury, Dr. Cathryn Klasto, Dr. Maddie Leach and Jesper Norda.
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Programme structure and content
In the first year, you will explore concepts of publicness and the roles of art and artists in society and methods of artistic research. You'll learn to identify topics to work with, experiment with artistic production, analyse theories, and hone your writing skills. During the second term, you will participate in an elective course, broadening your knowledge alongside students from other specializations. Students apply for the elective courses based on an annual course offering.
The second year deepens your use of artistic research, with a focus on artistic production and theoretical relevance. In the third term, you will compose a substantial text on a topic your select, and plan for the public circulation of your work in term four. Term four is dedicated to the production, contextualization, and public dissemination of your artistic project, culminating in a cooperative project with classmates, faculty, and any external partners.
Who should apply?
This programme is ideal for students from diverse backgrounds who want to critically engage with relations of societal challenges and art. Proficiency in artistic media and a passion for questioning the status quo are essential. If you’re interested in publicness, questioning the roles of art and the artist, or gaining introductory skills in artistic research, this programme will encourage you to question conventions and boundaries. If you are curious about dissolving boundaries between theory and practice, value working independently and co-operatively, and want to challenge yourself and others constructively, this programme may be the best choice for you.
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
Bachelor's degree in fine arts of at least 180 credits or equivalent. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS. In addition, approved work samples are required.
Portfolio
Portfolio guidelines for the MFA Programme in Fine Arts.
Selection
The selection is based on an assessment of submitted work samples and a personal interview.
After graduation
Graduates receive the degree of Master of Fine Arts.
Our alumni are making significant impacts across art worlds and beyond. Graduates have presented their work in renowned galleries, museums, and biennials. Others have forged new paths by self-organising outside conventional art systems. Our alumni network includes artists, activists, cultural producers, researchers, academics, curators, critics, writers, educators, commercial gallerists, and professionals in unexpected fields like DJing, tattoo artistry, and farming. This reflects the programme’s emphasis on creative approaches to building sustainable careers.
Facilities
Located in the heart of Gothenburg, HDK-Valand offers state-of-the-art facilities designed to support your education. Students have access to a variety of production workshops and can borrow specialised equipment to support their work. Our campus includes well-equipped lecture rooms, flexible studio spaces that can be shared or partitioned as needed, and dedicated project spaces available for booking. Students have access to a variety of production workshops and can borrow specialised equipment to support their work. The house at Vasagatan features galleries, currently managed by students, providing opportunities to experiment with forms of exhibition and engage with the local art community.
