Refine your artistic vision, think critically, develop your professional practice and become part of the diverse Los Angeles arts community with an MFA in Fine Arts from Otis College of Art and Design.
In the Otis Fine Arts MFA program we believe artists thrive when they work closely with a diverse group of peers to explore a wide range of topics, media, methods, and approaches in artmaking. Our program provides an artistic learning environment where artists of different backgrounds, ages, experiences, and approaches to creative practice can flourish together. Our courses, events, studios, labs, galleries, and social spaces are welcoming places where everyone in our community can develop as artists and as engaged participants in society.
Graduate Fine Arts at Otis
The MFA program promotes experimentation, the development of individual studio practice, interdisciplinary critical dialogue, and collaborative engagement within our close-knit community. Our weekly Visiting Artist Lecture program, Mandy and Cliff Einstein Lectures, and annual Critic in Residence program enhance learning with an ongoing dialogue with distinguished artists, curators, and thinkers.
Vita Kari, “Billboard Prenup: A Byte of Love”, performance documentation
What You’ll Learn
Our MFA Fine Arts curriculum balances group critiques, rigorous academic coursework, and one-on-one studio visits with faculty. These individual meetings foster collaborative conversations about work in progress, ideas, readings, or plans. Our MFA elective courses offer the exploration and the development of skills in a variety of media and methods and engage with the many art institutions in the city of Los Angeles.
Suwichada Busamrong-Press, “Bucha: Self Healing”, installation shot, performance documentation
untitled (10 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST), (2021), Joseph Louis Sherman Jr. (MFA Fine Arts ’23)
Patsy Pitts (MFA ’24), Sandy Kupfer (MFA ’25)
Flourish at Otis College
Student Exhibitions
Between project spaces, annual open studios, the mid-residency show, and the final thesis shows in the Bolsky Gallery, MFA Fine Arts students have ample exhibition opportunities over the course of the two-year program. The MFA Open Studios event occurs during the campus-wide O-Launch weekend exhibition, showcasing the culmination of the students’ study and studio work.
24/7 MFA Studios
Our individual MFA studios with 24/7 access (except during holiday college closures) are located in the Galef Fine Arts Center in the heart of campus. In these dedicated spaces, students can create ambitious work and experiment in a broad range of media.
Otis Labs and Shops
Our campus offers students full access to large painting, sculpture, and lighting studios; state-of-the-art, professionally staffed wood, metal, and model shops; photography, video, film, printmaking, and ceramics labs; and the Millard Sheets Library.
Visiting Lecture Series
The Visiting Artist Lecture Series brings distinguished artists, curators, and thinkers into close dialogue with students. Recent speakers include: Audrey Chan, Miles Coolidge, Beatriz Cortez, Nicole Eisenman, Anne Ellegood, Darby English, Denise Ferreira da Silva, Karen Finley, Charles Gaines, Malik Gaines, Katie Grinnan, Ann Hamilton, Salomón Huerta, and more.
Recent Student and Alumni News
Our MFA in Fine Arts program fosters a vibrant community of artists who continue to achieve remarkable success in their creative careers. Below are highlights of recent exhibitions by our talented students and alumni:
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Caitlin Carney (MFA Alum ‘22)
Solo Show – I Would Find You in Any Lifetime – Lowell Ryan Projects, Los Angeles, CA -
Wakana Kimura (MFA Alum ‘11)
Solo Show – Current Exhibitions – Patricia Sweetow Gallery, Los Angeles, CA -
Trevor Coopersmith (MFA Alum ‘24)
Group Show – Erratum Gallery, Berlin – Berlin, Germany -
Sandy Kupfer (MFA Student)
MFA Thesis Show – The Bolsky Gallery – Los Angeles, CA -
Matthew Carter (MFA Alum ‘10)
Group Show – Miracula: December 5 - January 11 – Electra Gallery, Santa Fe, NM -
Vita Kari (MFA Alum ‘24)
Untitled Miami Art Fair with YIWEI Gallery
Fine Arts Faculty
MFA in Fine Arts faculty at Otis College are celebrated and distinguished artists whose work has been shown around the world.
Meg Cranston
Department Chair, Fine Arts
Kathrin Burmester
Director MFA Fine Arts and Assistant Professor
Kade L. Twist
Associate Professor
The Fine Arts Community
The Fine Arts community at Otis College is a diverse one that includes both the BFA and MFA programs. MFA students can expand their skills and knowledge by taking BFA electives, and by serving as Teaching Assistants in BFA and MFA courses. Our community comes together frequently in the many exhibition receptions, lectures, and other Fine Arts and College activities that take place throughout the semester.
Untitled, (2022), Ali Minette (MFA Fine Arts ’22)
Keep Exploring
Otis prepares artists and designers for successful careers, empowering you to make a living—and make an impact—across established and emerging creative fields. Take the next stept to create your future at Otis College of Art and Design.
Explore upcoming admission deadlines as well as next steps to submitting a successful application and portfolio.
Financial aid opportunities at Otis include academic scholarships, need-based grants, loans, and work study opportunities.
Follow your talents to a satisfying career with an education from Otis College of Art and Design.