Media and Artistic Research (MA, MFA, PhD)

Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs in Media, Art, and Performance are designed to fulfil a niche for highly qualified students whose practices and research extend beyond the borders of more traditional programs of study.

In our Media and Artistic Research degrees, traditional skills and specializations are amplified and contextualized by both a traditional fine arts perspective and a contemporary cross-disciplinary approach. The degrees are intended for students who are motivated to pursue innovative projects in a rigorous intellectual environment that is supported by a flexible framework of coursework and an expansive network of research links to the university community. You will be able to design, develop and implement ideas that compel questions that cross disciplinary and departmental boundaries.

Master of Arts (MA) in Media and Artistic Research (Thesis)

The Master of Arts degree encourages students to consider innovative research questions that investigate new terrain, combining contemporary theoretical and methodological frames in the fine arts and cultural studies beyond the traditional disciplinary boundaries. It trains and mentors the next generation of arts and culture leaders, including academics, policy-makers, curators, directors of arts organizations, gallery and museum workers and more.

This degree is designed for completion within one calendar year, enabling people in the work force to return to school to upgrade their credentials in a short amount of time, and creating a clear path for students who want to undertake doctoral-level studies.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Media and Artistic Research (Research and Exhibition)

The MFA degrees provides training and mentorship for artists and creative researchers to move directly into professional work in artistic and academic contexts. The art project produced makes an original contribution to the relevant artistic and interdisciplinary fields. The art project and critical engagement paper together demonstrate careful research design and well-articulated methods and methodologies appropriate to the disciplines involved, and to the interdisciplinary approach taken, and show skills and techniques at an advanced level appropriate to the subjects. The MFA can lead to a professional artist’s practice, work in galleries and museums, leading roles in arts and culture organizations, government policy work in the arts, and more.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Media and Artistic Research – Path A (Thesis)

This degree involves thesis-based investigations supported by course work and designed to produce critical-thinking about arts and culture from contemporary theoretical and methodological perspectives.

Students entering this degree will have proficiency in a broad field of learning, and the ability to work independently to evaluate and bring new insights to that field. The thesis produced (150-300 pages) will make an original significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Media and Artistic Research – Path B (Research-Creation Project)

This degree involves the production of artistic research (in areas such as visual art, film, creative technologies, performance, sound, and media) supported by course work based in a variety of contemporary theorectical and methodological prespectives in the fine arts.

Students entering this degree will have an exemplary artistic practice, proficiency in a broad field of learning, and the ability to work independtly to contribute creatively and bring new insights to that field. In addition, they will demonstrate the capacity to describe and convey what their artistic practice is about at an advanced level through documentation of and critical reflection on their project (through the design and publication of an exhibition essay or catalogue, public lecture, performance, documentary interview, etc.) The artwork produced, and its documentation, will make an original and significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge and artistic practice.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Media and Artistic Research – Path C (Hybrid Research-Creation/Thesis Project)

This hybrid degree involves the production of both artistic research (in areas such as visual art, film, creative technologies, performance, sound and media) and a thesis-based investigation based in a variety of contemporary theoretical and methodological perspectives in the fine arts and culture.

Students entering this program will have exemplary artistic practice, proficiency in a broad field of learning, critical thinking at an advanced level, and the ability to work independently to contribute creatively and intellectually in order to evaluate and bring new insights to that field. 

In addition, they will demonstrate the capacity to describe and convey what their artistic practice is about at an advanced level through critical theorization and contextualization in written form. The artwork produced, and the accompanying thesis (150-200 pages) will make an original and significant contribution to the advancement of artistic practice and knowledge.

Doctoral Research Showcase

All of the PhD degrees include a capstone opportunity for each student to present their research to the MAP faculty, students and campus through the Doctoral Research Showcase, in partnership with the Humanities Research Institute.

The interdisciplinary PhD programs in MAP are among the few doctoral degrees in Canada focusing on media and artistic research.