EIU Master of Arts
in Art

"Specifically, this program gave me the great opportunity to teach my own art course to non-art majors, and this was not simply shadowing a professor in the classroom. I wrote my own syllabus and initialized an art foundation course for two semesters containing two different groups of 25 students. This was an immensely rewarding experience, for myself, to be able to create art projects and formulate a direct communication with my students. By being put in this situation I became more confident in publicly speaking about art, using clear positive-criticism while in discussion of the student’s results. "

"The demands in academics and studio practice at EIU's MA program have greatly contributed to the artist and professional I am today. From the spacious studios in the Burl Ives Studio Hall and the state of the art facilities at the Doudna Fine Arts Center to the accessibility of cross-departmental resources and professionals, the whole environment of EIU's MA program is well designed to facilitate a space where artists can grow and challenge their own artistic vision.”

"In this space I really got to branch out on my own and do my own thing without having to worry about what other people are going to think. There is no judgment toward my work. The spirit of all of the art kids together, not matter if you're in graphic design or painting or sculpture, even though they are on different levels, everyone forms their own group."

"The faculty nurtured my work and ideas but more importantly they pushed the trajectory of my practice far beyond anything I could have ever predicted. Just when I thought I had a major break through I would quickly be encouraged by faculty to explore even more. The studio space at Eastern was both functional and thriving because it existed as a communal space while still maintaining privacy for the artists.”