The Master of Fine Arts program at Colorado State University fosters excellence in artistic inquiry and achievement. Students accepted into our program work closely with nationally recognized faculty who guide a wide range of research and experimentation in studio media. In each phase of the curriculum, individual studio practice is enriched by research in art history and clarified through engagement with contemporary discourse surrounding art, craft, and design. Graduate students exhibit work and give presentations at venues throughout the region and beyond as they prepare to move forward in their careers. For more than forty years, the Department of Art and Art History has demonstrated its commitment to graduate education. Ours is the most comprehensive visual arts program in the Rocky Mountain West and one of the largest academic departments at CSU. Our alumni exhibit their work nationally and internationally, and teach at schools, universities, and workshop programs. CSU alumni jury and curate exhibitions, work as designers, contribute to conferences and arts publications, and work with arts organizations.<br><br>During graduate study students are encouraged to zealously explore their own artistic path in depth, but also constantly question and critically examine their decisions throughout that process. While holding dear to the rich historical traditions of the medium, the dialogue surrounding what a print is will often be augmented by the investigation of what a print can be in the contemporary context. Graduate students are given large semi-private studio space across the hall from the main communal studio during their three years in the program and will have the opportunity to receive both technical and teaching assistantships throughout their time at CSU. One or two applicants are accepted into the program each year, which keeps the printmaking area small and intimate, however the faculty also expects students to embrace the interdisciplinary nature of a large research university and utilize the vast resources outside of their specific discipline. The art department sponsors visiting artist and visiting critic programs through the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art (formerly known as the Colorado State University Art Museum), the department's main exhibition venue. These annual programs bring noted artists and critics to campus for lectures and discussion, with times arranged for graduate student critiques. Graduate students have 24-hour key access to the main printmaking studio. For a detailed description of equipment in our communal print shop, please visit the classroom studio portion of the printmaking department website.