The Photography and Moving Image area focuses on the development of individual vision while students explore the contemporary uses, techniques, and theories informing photography and moving images across physical and virtual spaces. The curriculum offers coursework examining traditional and digital skills while stressing an understanding of the media's histories and theories. The area is perfectly positioned in a larger, highly interdisciplinary department where students are encouraged to see how their explorations in photography and moving images may build on the skills learned in other courses. Students pursuing a BA/BFA, or a graduate-level MFA often merge their photography, video, and animation skills with other media such as printmaking, sculpture, electronic art, or painting. This interdisciplinary focus mimics the commercial applications of the media and its role in the larger art world.<br><br>The intentionally small size of each of our courses fosters an atmosphere for technical and critical experimentation, allowing faculty to provide group and individualized instruction to students actively engaged in the dialogue of photography. In doing so, students are encouraged to pursue projects of their own content within the context of the larger contemporary art dialogues, understanding their own practice not only in relation to other photographers, videographers, or animators but to artists and makers in other fields as well.<br>Our mission for the Master of Fine Arts curriculum is to offer the students discipline, training, and artistic understanding required for life as a practicing artist and professional. The program is designed to develop the student's capabilities for creative thinking and a sense of open inquiry, together with a thorough awareness of the multiplicity of new and traditional principles. Such capabilities may further enable an artist to make a valuable contribution as a professional artist, designer, art instructor, arts administrator, museum staff, gallery owner, or other related creative professional. The MFA program is highly selective and is presently limited to 33 participants. Graduate students are chosen on the basis of artistic accomplishment and potential, evidence of conscientious work habits and sense of commitment. The professional reputation of our faculty, and the outstanding accomplishments of the students who graduate from our department contribute to an ongoing pursuit of excellence. The Graduate Program is housed in our CAB studio facility that includes spacious individual graduate studios, Working Method Contemporary Gallery, and media specific work areas.