Visiting Artists
First-year students are required to register for a 4-credit course entitled Visiting Artists (081:521-522) each semester. There are three separate activities involved in this course for first-year students:
1) Weekly visiting artist lectures and studio visits
2) Two First-Year Reviews, one in the fall and one in the spring
3) Biweekly meetings with the graduate director
First-Year Reviews
Toward the end of the first and second semesters, faculty committees meet with each graduate student for 40-minute reviews. During the review, faculty evaluate the student's work and progress in the program. Students are required to prepare a one-page written artist statement prior to the review, and will be expected to articulate and defend their artistic strategies and intentions in the statement and during the review.
Fall
The fall review takes place during the First-Year Graduate Student Exhibition at the Mason Gross Galleries at the Civic Square Building. The review serves to more fully acquaint the graduate faculty with the first-year students, and for faculty to evaluate the work each student has done since entering the program, with a focus on the work in the exhibition. It is recommended that students arrange studio visits with members of the committee before the review.
Spring
During the spring review, which takes place in the student's studio, faculty will assess the work assembled by each graduate student, and determine whether the student is qualified to advance in the program. Following the review, the graduate director, upon the recommendation of the faculty, provides a written letter to each student informing them of their status.
Passing both reviews is a prerequisite for successfully completing Visiting Artists (08:081:521-522). An unsatisfactory review may result in a re-review, possible probation, and may be followed by dismissal from the university. A review assessment is independent of the student's grades. The student will be advised in writing as to why they are put on artistic probation, what needs to be done to correct it, and the deadline the student has to remedy the situation. In the case of artistic dismissal, the student may appeal to the dean. Not passing a review may result in the withdrawal of funding or a Part-Time Lecturer (PTL) position.
Graduate Program in Visual Arts 
