Central Washington University - Department of Art - Overview
A Graduate Program in Visual Arts in the Heart of Scenic Washington State
Central Washington University (CWU) offers 2 highly competitive master's degree programs for students interested in pursuing advanced training in a variety of visual arts, including ceramics, painting and drawing, jewelry and metalsmithing, and photography. CWU has a ranking within the top 200 graduate schools for art according to "US News and World Report."
CWU is located in Ellensburg, Washington -- a small university town located just 20 minutes from the Cascade Mountains and Wenatchee National Forest, and a 2-hour drive to Seattle.
Two Master's Degree Options with a Variety of Concentrations
Central Washington University's Master of Art degree is a 45-credit program designed for students who wish to pursue art-related careers or advanced degrees in art. Students in the program complete a combination of coursework that includes art history and art criticism, as well as several hours of art classes in the student's area of concentration. In addition to completing required coursework, all art students in the MA program must complete a final creative thesis project.
The 90-credit Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program at CWU is a terminal degree program that prepares students for careers as teachers in higher education settings or as studio artists. The MFA program emphasizes studio art; students in the program are required to complete 40 to 56 credits of studio art in their areas of concentration. In addition, all MFA students complete final master's thesis projects.
Advanced Ceramics Training and State-of-the-Art Facilities
The graduate ceramics program at Central Washington University provides advanced-level ceramics students with opportunities to develop their technical skills while strengthening their personal visual styles. Students build their personal portfolios and explore advanced ceramics techniques and processes including kiln construction, firing techniques, and mold-making.
Students in the MFA program in ceramics at CWU have access to state-of-the art studio facilities. The ceramics studio is home to a kiln room with a variety of kilns, 6 ventilated workstations, a clay mixing room, a mold-making room, and a wet glazing area with a spray booth for large projects.
The Jewelry and Metalsmithing Graduate Program
The jewelry and metalsmithing graduate program at CWU places emphasis on challenging academic instruction and portfolio building, as well as on the development of technical skills such as casting, moldmaking, and enameling. Additionally, graduate students in the jewelry and metalsmithing program are encouraged to build relationships with professionals in the field by participating in conferences and exhibits.
Students in the jewelry and metalsmithing graduate program have access to a fully-equipped studio with 4 soldering stations, several specialty kilns (including 3 enameling kilns), etching and electroplating equipment, and enameling supplies.
A Selective, Highly Personalized Painting and Drawing Program
Students enrolled in the graduate program in painting and drawing complete coursework in art history and critical theory and work closely with instructors to sharpen their technical skills. Class sizes are small and admission to the program is highly selective; students are admitted based on their demonstrated levels of technical and intellectual competence.
Graduate painting and drawing students have access to individual 400- to 500- square-foot studios as well as access to a shared studio with storage space, a still-life prop room, slide equipment, a digital imaging lab, and a computer lab with 20 Macintosh computers.
Teaching and Exhibition Opportunities for Photography Graduate Students
The photography graduate program at Central Washington University prepares students for a variety of future career paths, including commercial photography, fine art photography, and photo finishing. Graduate students are encouraged to attend conferences and participate in exhibitions; additionally, students in the graduate photography program have opportunities to teach beginning classes.
Graduate students have 24-hour access to the photography lab, which houses a black-and-white darkroom, a variety of specialty equipment, and a digital imaging lab with several professional-grade printers.
The Sculpture Graduate Program at CWU
The sculpture curriculum at CWU combines traditional academic coursework with hands-on studio experience. Graduate sculpture students focus on developing their bodies of work. The newly-upgraded sculpture studio features a wide selection of tools and specialty equipment, including plaster sinks, vertical band saws, drill presses, welding stations and a variety of welding tools, a plasma cutter, an electric kiln, and several hand tools.
The Only University-Based Wood Design Program in Washington
Graduate students in the wood design program at CWU focus on creating functional and pseudo-functional studio furniture. The program (which is the only wood design program in the state of Washington) places an emphasis on using traditional shaping and fabricating techniques to create unique art pieces.
The studio features a walk-in spray booth for finishing, as well as an extensive collection of power tools and a recently-upgraded ventilation and sawdust collection system.
Distinguished, Award-Winning Faculty Members with a Wide Range of Interests
The graduate art faculty at Central Washington University is composed of several noted artists, including Jewelry and Metals Distinguished Professor Keith Lewis. Professor Lewis' work has appeared in several notable collections, including the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian Institution.
Painting and Drawing Professor Maya Chachava's work has been featured in solo exhibitions in Seattle, New York City, and Salt Lake City. She has won numerous awards and grants for her work, including a GAP Grant Award from New Artist Trust, and a Dee Research Grant from the University of Utah.
Wood Design Professor Michael Chinn headed the Wood Design program at Iowa State University for 14 years. His award-winning work has appeared in a variety of national and international exhibitions.
Admissions and Financial Aid
To be considered for admission to the MA or MFA art program at Central Washington University, each student must submit an application, a personal statement, 3 letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students must also submit portfolios of their recent work.
Students may apply for a variety of scholarships, grants, and state and federal aid packages. Graduate students may also apply for teaching or research assistantships, research grants and fellowships, and travel grants.