Painting MA and MFA

Postgraduate painting at ECA draws deeply on current debate and contemporary art practice, providing a lively, but rigorous, working environment. While a written dissertation forms part of the assessment process, the taught programmes are designed as a means of developing and extending creative practice. Students who wish to concentrate on theory will find the programmes offered by the Centre for Visual & Cultural Studies more appropriate; Contemporary Art Theory, Visual Culture and Visual and Material Culture.

Applications should outline your proposed area of study and investigation. The evolution of this proposal into fresh ideas and deeper conceptual understanding is fundamental to the programme which will be followed. Thus, each student follows a personal programme, devised through consultation with the staff and designed to build confidence, self-expression and professionalism. Its principal aim is the development of the individual and the pursuit of excellence.  One MFA Painting student has recently shared her experience of the programme with us, you can hear Shandra Lamaute's views on You Tube.

ECA provides a dynamic and supportive atmosphere, in which innovation and transdisciplinary work is positively promoted. We encourage our students to explore new forms of presentation, such as web-based or interactive platforms, and many choose to cross traditional boundaries and incorporate digital media, photography and printmaking techniques into your work. All students are expected to demonstrate a mature outlook and a willingness to consider, in depth, the professional issues surrounding public exhibitions and commissions. Our students are required to be enthusiastic to put a high degree of energy into their work, to explore their ideas critically, to experiment with gallery and site-specific presentations and to involve themselves in ECA research projects, conferences and special events.

download print version of programme info