MFA Portfolio Submission

On this page you will find detailed information on what is required for the portfolio submission for the Masters of Fine Arts program at UBC Okanagan, along with tips and suggestions such as accepted samples of work. Please read this page very carefully before beginning your portfolio submission.

All areas of specialization (Creative Writing, Visual Arts, Intraciliary Studies) are required to prepare a cohesive portfolio package, which must be uploaded along with your application.

All packages should include the following:

• CV:  Writer/ Artist/Performer CV or Filmography or list of publications, performances, exhibitions, residencies or other artist-related accomplishments. Please include participation in or collaboration on any interdisciplinary projects. Your CV may include a link to your professional website and links to relevant online material.
• Artist Statement  / Statement of Intent:  A brief description contextualizing your work in relationship to contemporary art/writing/performance practice, including interdisciplinary innovation, and outlining your ideas for your thesis project. For Interdisciplinary Studies only, include a description of your secondary area of interest and its relation to your artistic practice. If applicable, indicate resources you will require particularly in relation to space and equipment. (500-word maximum)
• Portfolio of Work:  Examples of recent work or of work relevant to your thesis proposal (done in the last five years)

One PDF document containing images, description of images and/or links to film, online media or performances, and writing samples is preferred.  The department may request additional original work for further evaluation purposes.

The name of your file MUST include your name. Example:

• Lastname_Firstname_Portfolio.pdf

Creative Writing

Include 30 pages of published or unpublished work in two genres. The work can be photocopies of published material (providing bibliographical information about the publication) or can be in manuscript format (double-spaced). Typescripts and photocopied material should be scanned into a single PDF document.

Visual Arts

Include between 15 and 20 images of your work.  These should be combined into a single PDF document.  The PDF document should contain one image per page; ensure that your images are sized down. Alternately, you may provide a PDF document that contains a direct link to a site containing the images.  Make sure the artworks are presented with a direct link as the committee will not search a website for the material.  In either case, the PDF that you submit should include an image description page that lists the title, medium, size, and year of production for each piece in your portfolio.  Number each title to correspond with the images and/or videos of your work.  Do not send PowerPoint or other presentations. Short video documentation of work may also be submitted if appropriate as a link to the video site.

Video/Film

Include links to a selection of recent video work, no more than 30 minutes in total . The links should be listed on a single PDF which should also include a video description page that lists the title, length, and year of production and other relevant information for each piece in your portfolio.  Number each title to correspond with the video listing of your work. Make sure that you provide  a direct link to the videos. The committee will not search a website for the material.

Performance

Students who plan to work in the area of Performance will be able to do so under the MFA with a specialization in Interdisciplinary Studies. In this case their primary discipline would be Performance with a secondary discipline in another area.  Support material should provide documentation of performance work and can be submitted in more than one format. These formats could include: video documentation, 30-minute maximum;  performance texts, 30 pages maximum; photographs or PDFs, 30 maximum; digital sound recordings, MP3 files, 30 minutes maximum.  Videos should be direct links to a website, listed on a PDF.  The committee will not search a website for the material.  The PDF should include a video description that lists the title and year of production for each piece in your portfolio, as well as relevant information pertinent to your role in the production.  Performance texts or images of performances should be presented in a single PDF, labelled with important information for each document.  Digital sound recordings should be accompanied by a PDF with a list of information about each MP3 file. Please combine this portfolio into as few attachments as possible and ensure all are clearly labelled.

Curation

Students who plan to work in the area of curatorial praxis will be able to do so under the MFA with a specialization in Interdisciplinary Studies.  Normally the secondary discipline would be visual art or digital media; however, if another secondary area is selected, the applicant should have an academic or professional background in Fine Arts.  Support material should provide documentation of curatorial work:  between 10-15 images of an exhibition you have curated or an exhibition proposal and between 10 to 15 pages of curatorial writing combined into a single PDF.  The PDF document should contain one image per page; ensure that your images are sized down. Alternately, you may provide a PDF document that contains a direct link to a site containing the images.  Make sure the artworks are presented with a direct link as the committee will not search a website for the material.  The PDF should include a numbered image description page that lists location of exhibition, artists and a paragraph about the context of the show as well as artist’s or artists’ name,  title, medium, size, and year of production for any images of installations  or specific artworks. Do not send PowerPoint or other presentations. Short video documentation or video exhibition tours may be submitted if appropriate as a link to a video site. The curatorial writing samples may be published or unpublished. The work can be photocopies of published material (providing bibliographical information about the publication) or can be in manuscript format (double-spaced).  Do not send links for curatorial writing online; please download and submit as a pdf. Combine the support material into as few attachments as possible and ensure all are clearly labelled.

Questions

For inquiries regarding portfolio requirements, please contact the Program Coordinator at gradstudies.fccs@ubc.ca.

Entry into this program is very competitive. The number of places within the MFA program is limited, and admission is based on a review of the portfolio, letter of intent, and creative output.

Please ensure you are applying for the correct program.  UBC has two campuses, one in Vancouver and one in Kelowna.  This information is solely for applications to the Kelowna campus.  The UBC Vancouver MFA programs require a separate application.