Set in the striking landscape of the San Bernardino Mountains and in close proximity to Los Angeles international art scene, the Visual Art MFA program at UC Riverside offers an intensive environment of advanced art research and practice for highly motivated students. We provide a theoretically driven curriculum that prioritizes studio production. An explorative and open approach to both traditional and interdisciplinary media encourages students to experiment and pursue their aesthetic ideas in the media that most benefits their practice. MFA students receive beautiful generously-sized studio spaces (350sq with 12walls) and have access to excellent state of the art facilities.<br><br>The intimate scale of the program boasts an unusual student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 8 that allows for deeply engaging interactions with the nationally and internationally exhibiting faculty members. Central to our program is the dynamic visiting artist lecture series which provides students with the opportunity to engage with eighteen internationally recognized artists, curators, and critics through lectures and studio visits each year, broadening and intensifying the discourse. The core of the program is independent creative work done in consultation with faculty. As a world-class research university, students are also encouraged to take advantage of the diverse course offerings in other programs and departments. The MFA is designed to be completed in 3 years (9 quarters) of full-time work (at least 12 units per quarter). Students will receive a degree in Visual Art. The course of study is not characterized by medium.