Catalyze social change through the arts. This interdisciplinary, non-certification master of arts program prepares artists, educators, designers, community organizers, and other publicly situated activists to work within community-based settings, museums, NGOs, or broader public and civic contexts. You’ll take courses in contemporary artistic practice, educational theory, and social activism, and work with practicing artists and educators in community-based and neighborhood settings around New York City, examining how art and design can open dialogue about a community’s history, culture, and social needs.
Official Degree Title
MA Art, Education, and Community Practice
Degree
MA
Application Deadline
Fall Start:
January 15
Plan Code
AECP
Credits
30
Format
Full-time or Part-time
Contact
Admissions Requirements
In order to be considered for admission to the MA in Art, Education, and Community Practice, you must have a strong record of academic achievement and a bachelor’s degree in studio art, art history, design, architecture, or another related visual field of study, or you can demonstrate significant experience and background as a practicing artist/designer.
How to Apply
These instructions and requirements are for all applicants. If you are not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, please read the special instructions for international applicants.
Your application will require the following items. The following are acceptable document types for uploads:
.pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .png, .doc, .docx, and bitmap.
1. Prepare Your Application
Résumé/CV
You are required to upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application.
Statement of Purpose
500 words. We encourage applicants to address the following in their statement: Describe your experiences as an artist, organizer and/or activist in community-based settings. What is the role of art and the artist in communities and society at large? Why are you applying to the NYU program in Art, Education, and Community Practice and how will the program support your personal and professional goals?
Letters of Recommendation
Submit two letters of recommendation. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline. Read detailed instructions.
Your recommenders should be academic and professional colleagues who can speak to your background in art and/or education and activism.
Transcripts
Upload one official copy of transcripts from every postsecondary institution (college/university) you have attended or are attending. Please note: This includes transcripts from institutions where you received transfer credits or did not complete a degree. Make sure to request an official copy of the transcript(s) in advance of the deadline.
Transfer Credits
We understand accepted transfer credits may be clearly listed on your degree awarding institution’s transcript. The Office of Graduate Admissions still requires a transcript from the initial credit-granting institution where you took the course(s). Delay in listing and uploading these transcripts can significantly delay the application review process.
Institutions Outside the US or Canada
If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES or ECE international credentials evaluation. Please review our requirements for translation and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts.
GRE
Not required.
Proficiency in English
See testing requirements.
Portfolio
You are required to upload a portfolio of your artwork.
As part of the online application for this program, you will be prompted to upload a portfolio consisting of 20 images of your artwork that reflects the strongest selections of your practice. All portfolios must be submitted via your online application.
Your portfolio should consist of digital images of your recent work in .jpg, .png, or .gif format, and no larger than 1280 x 1024 pixels (maximum 5MB). .pdfs no larger than 10MB may be uploaded as well. Each image should have a title, description, size, and medium entered at the time you upload it.
Please include an inventory of images in .pdf format with your name in the top right hand corner and a list of images numbered in the order of viewing. Include title, if any, medium, dimensions, and date. You may upload videos not in excess of 60 MB.
Videos can be a compilation of various works, but the total running time cannot exceed five minutes per video. Genres appropriate to video documentation include video art, performance, and kinetic art, but not sculptures or exhibitions.
We do not accept PowerPoint or Keynote presentations. You may also upload an optional artist’s statement in the Portfolio section of the online application.
Your portfolio should reflect the strongest selections of your practice, specific to work in community-based contexts as an artist, activist, and/or educator.
Artist Statement:
Optional. Upload the Artist Statement to the Portfolio section of the online application.
Personal Interview
We invite applicants to interview with us as part of the admission process, either in person, on Zoom, or by phone. This interview is a chance to meet our faculty and an opportunity to ask questions about the program and NYU campus. The Art+Education program will contact you by email to schedule your interview after reviewing your application materials.
2. Apply
Application
After you fill in and upload the required information, you can submit your completed application. Your application must be completed, dated, electronically signed, and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST of the stated deadline.
Application Fee
You will be prompted to pay a $75 application fee, payable by major credit card only. After submitting your payment, you will see your application status change from “saved” to “submitted.” Please print this screen for your records, as it confirms that your application has been successfully sent to our school. If you have problems submitting your payment, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions. Learn more about our fee waiver policy.
Mailing Additional Items
If any application materials need to be mailed to our office, mail the materials to NYU Steinhardt, Office of Graduate Admissions, 82 Washington Square East, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10003-6680. Please do not mail your materials in binders or folders. Any mailed materials must be received by, not postmarked by, the stated deadline. Only completed applications will be considered and reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt of mailed materials.
Application Policies
Application deadlines are "in-office" deadlines, not postmark deadlines. It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials are in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline, and we reserve the right to return any application that arrives after the deadline. Only completed applications will be considered. Should a deadline fall on a weekend, the in-office deadline will be the next business day. We advise you to apply early.
Please check the online system to confirm that you have successfully submitted your application. Due to the volume of applications and related materials received, the Office of Graduate Admissions will only contact you if your application was successfully submitted and is deemed incomplete because of missing required materials. Otherwise, you will hear from us when the admissions committee has made its decision.
Deferral policy: NYU Steinhardt does not allow deferrals. Applicants who wish to be considered for a future semester must reapply by submitting a new application with all supporting materials, including letters of recommendation, by the application deadline.
3. Receive Your Admission Decision
Decision
You will be notified about your decision by email. Typically, decisions will start going out in late November for Spring semester enrollment and in late March or early April for Summer or Fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.
Financial Aid
In order to be eligible for any financial aid you MUST complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The deadline to submit the FAFSA is March 1 for Fall/Summer enrollment or November 1 for Spring enrollment. Do not wait to be accepted. You can use tax forms from the previous tax year to submit.
For more information please visit the NYU Financial Aid website, Steinhardt Graduate Financial Aid site, and the NYU Steinhardt Office of Admissions Paying for Your Education site.