Fine Art - Master's Programme

The MFA at Trondheim Academy of Fine Art (KiT) is a two-year research and studio based study programme.

There is a particular focus on understanding of the potential of art in its interaction with diverse public spheres. It emphasizes experimentation and multi-disciplinary approaches - students are offered the possibility to work within a wide range of media and diverse fields of knowledge. Projects evolve through stages of conceptual and material development towards formal and informal presentation and critical, constructive debate. There are opportunities. for public presentations through self-organization as well as through the program connecting to well established cooperations within Trondheim.

To develop new roles for artists in society is a central goal of the program. We enable the student to contextualize their work and develop a professional artistic profile.

Admission to the MFA requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent completed degree of at least 180 credits.

Applicants are selected on the basis of their artistic practice, their project proposal and their potential for further development. It is therefore a requirement to apply with an artistic portfolio that documents and demonstrates the applicant’s qualifications and artistic excellence.

The Master of Fine Art programme web page provides more information about the admission procedure.

Assessment in the MFA program is based on three progress reviews at the end of each semester where the students work and progress reports are evaluated alongside 1-2 faculty members of the Trondheim Academy of Fine Art, NTNU.

Progress review is a format that allows for an assessment of the student’s work, to determine the status and what further steps might be taken in the development of each project. During each progress review, each student is expected to give a short presentation of their work, followed by questions and feedback.

The grades pass and fail are used in connection with semester assessments. Passing the semester assessment is a precondition for further studies in the master’s program and is worth 15 credits.

The MFA at Trondheim Academy of Fine Art (KiT) is a two-year study programme with a focus on studio work and corresponding theoretical practices. It emphasizes experimentation and multi-disciplinary approaches in the development of artistic projects. Students are offered the possibility to work within a wide range of media and theoretical fields. There is a particular focus on research-based artistic practice and the understanding of art as laboratory. The MFA programme prepares the student to develop a professional artistic profile, and to contextualize their work in relation to contemporary theory and historical informed positions. Projects evolve through stages of conceptual and material development towards formal and informal presentation and critical, constructive debate.

• is capable of developing an advanced practice and concrete projects with regard to their conceptual development, production, implementation, presentation and communication
• is able to initiate and shape collaborative projects across sectors, including fundraising, budgeting, and partnership development.
• can explore, test and implement relevant exhibition and dissemination formats, including experimental and process-based presentations
• is able to apply networking and leadership skills to build professional ecosystems and navigate institutional, cultural and policy contexts
• can identify, formulate and address problems in artistic research and production in original, innovative and critical ways

• has an in-depth understanding of the epistemologies, methodologies and ethics of artistic research
• is able to initiate and implement cross-disciplinary collaborations and communicate the value of artistic practice to specialists and broader publics
• can develop and sustain a professional artistic profile grounded in critical inquiry, experimentation and societal relevance
• is capable of navigating complex institutional, cultural and economic contexts, and translating artistic ideas into viable and socially engaged projects
• demonstrates the creative confidence to act as an independent practitioner and contributor within local and international artistic and interdisciplinary environments

The main components of internationalization at home and abroad for the MFA program are:

Launching a study program requiring English with internationally recognized certification for all students.

The recruitment of an international student body, comprised of a high diversity of national and cultural backgrounds.

All main and elective tracks taught entirely in English, with additional teaching formats offered by international guest professors and guest artists.

Internationalization of the curriculum, incorporating international and intercultural dimensions into the formal and informal curriculum to offer all students the skills and competencies they need to take an active role in the global environment.

Internationalization of syllabi with learning materials in multiple languages to include non-eurocentric discourses.

Outbound student and staff mobility via exchange programs (KUNO/ Erasmus).

Extra-curricular research and education partnerships between institutions, programs and associations internationally.

• has acquired the knowledge to develop their own artistic research practice in a well-informed and independent way
• has a thorough knowledge of methods, epistemologies and theories of artistic research in the contemporary art world
• has knowledge of entrepreneurial strategies, project-based initiatives and cultural policy frameworks relevant to artistic practice
• understands innovation and sustainability as dimensions of contemporary artistic practice and societal engagement
• can situate their artistic practice in the wider context of contemporary art theory and artistic research methods
• can critically reflect on artistic practice in relation to the traditions, tendencies and potentials of international contemporary art, and on this basis recognise and analyse emerging roles of contemporary art in society

During semester four, the MFA candidate completes a body of independent artwork known as the final thesis project. Each student must also submit a written component that accompanies the artwork.

The presentation of the final thesis project is part of the annual KiT International MFA Exhibition, which usually takes place in May in a major art venue in Trondheim.

Successful completion of the exhibited project and passing the final exam are the requirements needed to earn an MFA degree.

The program collaborate with academic and public and private actors and institutions both locally and internationally that open professional possibilities for the students and help them define their study in the context of new and versatile roles in professional life.

Work placements give students the opportunity to explore career paths, apply and test their knowledge and skills in practice, contribute to research projects, and gain professional experience.

Work placement

Students in the Artistic Entrepreneurship track complete a credit-awarding work placement in the third semester with one of the academy’s research or enterprise partners.

Students in the Practice-Based Research track may apply for a credit-awarding work placement in the third semester if they secure the placement themselves.

For placements in Europe lasting more than two months, students can apply for Erasmus+ funding.

The academy also assists students in finding Erasmus-funded recent-graduate placements.

The MFA at Trondheim Academy of Fine Art (KiT) is a two-year research and studio based study programme.

There is a particular focus on understanding of the potential of art in its interaction with diverse public spheres. It emphasizes experimentation and multi-disciplinary approaches: students are offered the possibility to work within a wide range of media and diverse fields of knowledge. Projects evolve through stages of conceptual and material development towards formal and informal presentation and critical, constructive debate. There are opportunities for public presentations through self-organization as well as through the program connecting to well established cooperations within Trondheim.

To develop new roles for artists in society is a central goal of the program. We enable the student to contextualize their work and develop a professional artistic profile.

Study obligations

In both compulsory and elective courses, satisfactory participation is required. This also applies to placement, exhibitions, and fieldwork. The student must notify the lecturer of any absence from the teaching. In the event of sick leave, the student must submit a medical certificate to the academy, and the department management will consider whether the education plan and study progress of the student should be adjusted.

Students are expected to keep track of their own absence. Students who have not fulfilled all compulsory activities (attendance, exercises, group work, etc.) cannot pass the exam in the course.

The program concentrates on the development of artistic practices and their contextualization through courses in Advanced Artistic Work. The objective is to focus and develop an MFA thesis project which is to be presented in a public setting as Artistic Encounter and defended in the final exam at the end of the two-year period. It covers the entire range of research and concept development, reflection, articulation, and realisation.

The programme prepares MFA candidates for artistic research in contemporary art. It aims to help MFA candidates familiarise themselves with related theories and forms of analysis in their field of artistic research and/or artistic entrepreneurship. Students will be asked to formulate research objectives in terms of the statements and insights to be gained. They will be asked to develop relevant research methods and techniques in contemporary art that they will apply to their projects. A wide range of pedagogical formats comprise this mandatory course:

• Supervision
• Group Critique
• Presentation of artistic work

Program Courses:

Students will select one of two specialized tracks: Practice-Based Research or Artistic Entrepreneurship.

1st semester:

Students in both tracks complete BK3202 Introduction to Artistic Research and BK3105 Advanced Artistic Work 1, 15 ECTS, which focuses on the articulation and communication of project ideas to support the artistic development of the MFA student.

Students in the Artistic Entrepreneurship track are to complete BK3201 Exploring Artistic Entrepreneurship 7,5 ECTS and students in Practice-Based Research track choose between completion of BK3190 Art and Common Space 7,5 ECTS and BK3201 Exploring Artistic Entrepreneurship 7,5 ECTS

2nd semester:

Students in the Artistic Entrepreneurship track go on exchange (Erasmus+ og similar)

Students in the Practice-Based Research track complete BK3205 Advanced Artistic Work 2, 15 ECTS, which focuses on the further elaboration of project ideas to support the artistic development of the MFA student.

In the 2nd semester MFA master's students are to complete Experts in Teamwork, which is a compulsory 7,5 ECTS course at NTNU.

Additionally students are to complete the course BK3198 The Art of Seeing Art Exploring 7,5 ECTS.

3rd semester:

BK3306 Advanced Artistic Work 3, 22,5 ECTS, focuses on the conceptualisation of a project that will be presented in the graduation exhibition, including thesis formulation. Thesis development and project articulation with the support of all teachers.

Students in the Artistic Entrepreneurship track complete BK3310 Artistic Work and Research Placement counting 7,5 ECTS.

Students in the Practice-Based Research track are to choose one elective course BK3190 Art and Common Space 7,5 ECTS or BK3201 Exploring Artistic Entrepreneurship 7,5 ECTS or BK3310 Artistic Work and Research Placement counting 7,5 ECTS.

4th semester:

BK3400 Advanced Artistic Work 4 - Master Thesis, 30 ECTS, focuses on the realization of the MFA graduation project and thesis advised by MFA course coordinator, as well as other teachers and guests. In this course, the MFA students have to work on an artistic outcome that should be made public.

Tutorials are offered by supervisors, guest lecturers and visiting artists.

During semester four, the MFA candidate completes a body of independent artwork known as the final thesis project. Each student must also submit a written component that accompanies the artwork.

Successful completion of the thesis project and passing the final exam are the requirements needed to earn an MFA degree.

1 March

Exchange options

Students in the Artistic Entrepreneurship track spend their second semester on a six-month exchange at one of the academy’s partner institutions through the KUNO network or the Erasmus+ program.

Students in the Practice-Based Research track are encouraged to participate in a six-month exchange during their second or third semester.

Both tracks offer opportunities to study at partner academies and universities worldwide. Exchanges can be arranged through Erasmus+ or bilateral agreements, with most Nordic and European exchanges supported by the Erasmus + grant scheme. The exchange must be pre-approved by the academy.

For more information about studying abroad, see https://i.ntnu.no/utenlandsstudier or contact the administration at KiT.

Nordic-Baltic Region exchange and short stays

As a member of the Nordic-Baltic KUNO network, the academy offers opportunities for short intensive courses (KUNO Express, about one week) at partner institutions, as well as six-month exchanges with available grants for exhibitions and exchanges. All activities must be pre-approved by the academy.

Placement abroad

Students in the Artistic Entrepreneurship track complete their third-semester work placement based in Trondheim, but it can be arranged abroad if scheduled during summer or outside course periods.

Students in the Practice-Based Research track if finding their own placement can go on optional placement abroad in the third semester.

Students who find work placement in Europe can apply for Erasmus + trainee scholarship if the stay lasts more than two months.

After completing the master's degree program there are opportunities for becoming a fellow in art through PhD program in Artistic Research

An MFA degree makes its recipient eligible for post-graduate or PhD programs. Also, it is helpful when applying to residency programs for artists or for internships at art institutions. An MFA degree can also be required when it comes to special offers in further education and professional training.

The international MFA program allows candidates to develop a professional profile compatible with a society in transformation. The education based on artistic research, entrepreneurship and collaboration across disciplines opens up new possibilities for our graduates to work in private and public sector. Building on entrepreneurial skills and work-placement experiences of the program, the graduates build network and job opportunities through their studies.

The international MFA program at the Trondheim Academy of Fine Art aims at investigating new roles of the artist in contemporary society. Its goal is to embed artistic research and production in environments that are open for innovation, change and societal impact.

The MFA degree also opens a wide range of higher-level positions within institutions of the art world. It is essential for pursuing a career in academia or teaching at university level.