Ask an Expert with Molly Knobloch
How to apply to an MFA program
Have you ever wondered, how can I do that? How can I get my art in a gallery or coffee shop? How did that artist get their piece picked up by this big retailer? I find the best way to find out is to ask, and while I do that on my podcast I wanted a way to keep the conversations going. Ask an Expert, is a section of my newsletter that stays in touch with artists I have already talked to and reaches out to those too busy to come on to the show.
Recently, Molly Knobloch started her first year of her MFA program at Maine College of Art and Design in Portland, Maine. I reached out to her to find out more about how she chose to pursue an MFA and what she considered when she was applying.
How did you know you wanted to go to an MFA program?
In my undergraduate program, I was a painting major but I had no professional goals. I didn’t know whether I wanted to be a full-time artist, or if I wanted an art-world career in a museum, gallery, or non-profit, so I just stepped out into the world and tried a series of careers. After over a decade of working in various semi-creative roles and creating art on nights and weekends, I felt like it was time to really invest in myself as an artist. I had a distinct feeling that I wasn’t reaching my full potential as an artist and that I wasn’t going to reach it without inserting myself in a program designed to push me to grow.
What were you looking for in an MFA program?
I reached out to a variety of peers and mentors when looking at programs and I learned that every MFA program is extremely unique, so you have to make sure you’re a good fit wherever you apply. Some programs encourage the medium you come in with and are designed to make you the best artist possible in that medium, and others are strictly interdisciplinary and will push you outside of your medium, making you the best artist possible without regards to medium. I would say I’m 3D-curious, and while I’ve always been a painter, I don’t want to feel overly restricted. I ended up applying to mostly interdisciplinary programs.
What were your financial considerations?
One of my undergraduate art professors told us never to pay for an MFA program, so I already had it in my head that going to graduate school for free was within reach. Then a friend shared with me a spreadsheet that floats around with a list of fully and partially funded programs. I applied to a mix of fully and partially funded programs, with the understanding that the fully funded programs were generally the most competitive (this ended up being true). I am paying for my program, but with help from scholarships, savings, and family, the price tag has been greatly reduced.
What was the application process like?
Very in-depth! It was generally agreed that your portfolio and how well it is presented is the most important part of the application, so I put a lot of effort into photographing my work. Each school has slightly different instructions for how to curate what you submit, so I wasn’t sure in some cases whether to submit a series of work or work from different series, and looking back I wish I had submitted a more diverse portfolio for certain schools.
The other part that was a big push for me was the writing component. I haven’t written much about my work since undergrad, so it was tough to work that muscle again. I focused on an overview of my art making, but looking back now, I would’ve gone deeper into art theory and what questions and topics I’m posing and addressing in my work.
What did you like about the schools you applied to?
I only applied to schools in and around New England, because I knew I wanted to move to that region. Luckily, that’s where many of the heavy hitters are. I applied to some of the top schools with little hope of getting in (I was right), and tried to include some more approachable schools.
What advice would you give someone who would like to apply for an MFA program?
Do as much research as you can on schools to make sure they’re a good fit. This includes scheduling phone calls and visits with admissions officers and current students or recent graduates if possible. I am now enrolled in a very interdisciplinary and theory-forward program, and some members of my cohort were surprised at how much they’re being pushed to explore beyond their medium. I think they’re ultimately seeing the fruits of their exploration, but other programs could have definitely offered more structured support in their medium of choice.
During the application process, tap into your network! Identify the people in your community who have their MFA or have taught in universities and take them out to coffee to pick their brains. I really didn’t know much about schools or documentation and academic writing and I got so much help.
It’s worth noting that multiple (most) people who I spoke to in my network told me not to get my MFA. It can be seen as a waste of money, especially if the program is poorly run or is a bad fit. I was heavily encouraged to look at residencies instead. But I wanted a push, (and a push that was longer than a two-week residency) and I knew school would give me that, so I stayed the course.
How are you liking your first year there?
I’m at the end of my first semester, and I’m truly loving it. After ten years of working day jobs and rarely feeling intellectually stimulated, I feel like I’m re-learning how to think and view the world. It’s been humbling and vulnerable to be constantly receiving so much feedback, but it’s pushed me to grow and learn so much in just the few short months I’ve been here. And having access to professors, a group of engaged peers, and all of the facilities you could imagine is fantastic. Plus, I love where I am located – Portland, Maine is so beautiful and filled with great food, art, and nature. I love its cozy size while still having proximity to and runoff from the larger east coast cities. (Don’t ask me again in winter…)
What are your plans after you graduate?
Truthfully, I expect to continue doing something similar to what I was doing before – finding a day job and working on my own art nights and weekends. But as a far better artist with a far better understanding of art theory, art history, and the contemporary art world. So I expect some of the same, but so, so much better. I would love to get to a place where my day job is a creative and fulfilling role in the art world, and my art practice is exciting and ever changing. It’s also a goal of mine to run an art space of my own, ideally an artist residency. That’s something I plan on starting on before I graduate.
You can find more information at…
Instagram: @mollyknobloch
Website: https://mollyknobloch.com/