PhD / MFA Art Programs in NYC

Transart Institute, Manhattan:
Founded in 2004 by two artists, the Transart Institute in Manhattan, NYC is an art school that provides a contemporary learning experience without grades or pre-formatted curricula. We offer an international low-residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and a practice-based PhD program for working artists in a highly individualized format. The Unschool Art School grew out of a desire to form a truly student-driven program that goes beyond established institutional education by offering a plethora of models and diversify input in a multi-perspective environment.

The Transart Experience:
- Summer intensives in Berlin, Winter residencies in New York City
- Low-residency format allows to keep professional and family obligations while advancing career
- Workshops, seminars, professional development, studio and performance tours in every residency
- A highly individualized contemporary learning experience without grades
- Realizing creative projects with the support of curators, faculty and self-chosen advisors
- International make up of students and faculty that fosters exchange across cultural boundaries
- Offsite study, critiques and advisement wherever you live and work

MFA CREATIVE PRACTICE
A student-centered, project oriented postgraduate art program which fosters independent thinking, risk-taking and the creation of an informed and sustainable art praxis. The program is tailored to suit the needs of working artists with summer residencies in Berlin, winter residencies in New York and one-on-one advisement during the academic year, wherever students work and live. Students create their own course of study, working independently and with the support of self-chosen studio and research advisors. 

FAST TRACK PhD
Exceptionally focussed and accomplished artists can apply for transfer from the MFA to the studio PhD program at the end of the first year. Students who wish to enroll in the Fast Track program apply to the MFA Creative Practice. In their second semester on the MFA they develop a doctoral proposal. At the end of the semester they can apply for Fast Track assessment. Successful applicants will be registered for the MPhil/PhD course of studies at that time.

STUDIO-BASED PhD
Transart Institute is offering a low-residency PhD program for advanced studio art. The PhD at Transart is a three-year, full-time degree program validated by the University of Plymouth, UK. The degree is offered exclusively for practice-based research (creative work) accompanied by a written thesis.

SUMMER RESIDENCY CERTIFICATE:
Participants join MFA students in workshops, lectures and critiques and leave the residency with input on project plans for the year ahead.

FINANCES & SCHOLARSHIPS
For PhD studies, graduates of the Transart MFA receive a 30% scholarship. The MFA application committee is authorized to award scholarships of up to 10,000 USD with acceptance into the program and up to 18,000 USD for citizens/residents of developing countries. Please note that Transart has no full scholarships. Additional financing should be available through sources in the student’s country of residence/citizenship. Private student loans are available via Sallie Mae International.