MFA in Fine Arts
Virginia Commonwealth University VCU School of the Arts (VCUarts) · Richmond, VA
- Field: Studio Art & Design (MFA)
- Degrees: Master's
- Application fee: $75
- GRE: Not required
- Letters: 3 (recommendations)
Deadlines
- International applicants: submit one month before the program deadline: Dec. 15, 2026
- MFA in Fine Arts and MFA in Design (Visual Communications), fall entry only: Jan. 15, 2027
Essays
Statement of intent (700–1,000 words)
This 700-1000 word essay sheds light on your practice and research interests. It should directly place the work being reviewed within the context of contemporary art discourses while also addressing goals with respect to graduate school and what the applicant hopes to accomplish at VCU.
Portfolio (20 individual uploads (still images, video clips up to 3 minutes, links, audio); fewer than 20 is incomplete; one work or view per upload (Painting and Printmaking, Sculpture, Craft); Photography and Film allows sequence works in one file and caps total video at 20 minutes; Kinetic Imaging up to 20 uploads from at least three projects)
CV or résumé
Editor's notes
- VCU's 700–1,000-word statement asks you to situate the specific work in your portfolio within contemporary art discourse, so name the conversations your work belongs to rather than only describing process. Upload exactly 20 items with one work or view per file, since fewer counts as incomplete. International applicants should aim to finish a month early, by mid-December. Assistantship consideration is automatic once you are admitted.
