LOW RESIDENCY
MFA IN ILLUSTRATION
John Megahan
Chris Piascik
Christine Kornacki
EARN AN
MFA IN
ILLUSTRATION
WHILE
MAINTAINING
YOUR CAREER
»
This prestigious program is the only low residency MFA in the country that is
dedicated exclusively to illustration. Whether you’re looking to pursue a career in
education, revitalize your creativity or reinvent your portfolio, you can earn an MFA
in Illustration while maintaining your career and commitments at home. You’ll be
surrounded by fellow students who are, themselves, highly-motivated, established
illustrators, illustrator/graphic designers, and illustration educators from across
the country.
Through challenging work and exceptional student/faculty relationships, you are
guided in advancing your distinct, creative voice while refining and building upon your
skills and techniques. You are exposed to current professionals and practices, allowing
you to nurture your creative intellect and strengthen your business, promotional, and
marketing knowledge.
Our program couples intensive, on-campus sessions in the summer with traveling
spring and fall contact periods. During the summer, you work in-class and are provided
focused interaction with faculty and thesis advisors. The fall and spring contact
periods take place off-campus at the city hubs of illustration, which have included: San
Francisco, Pasadena, New York City and other recognized destinations.
This program was founded by the late Murray Tinkelman, award-winning illustrator,
educator, and illustration historian.
WE ARE WELCOMING C.F. PAYNE AS PROGRAM DIRECTOR
C.F. (Chris) Payne has been one of the country’s most prominent illustrators for more than 30 years. He has been recognized
with two of the Society of Illustrators highest honors—The Distinguished Educator in The Arts Award in 2012, and the Hamilton
King Award in 1995. Payne’s work has received numerous gold and silver medal awards from the Society of Illustrators of New
York and Los Angeles, Communication Arts, Print, How, the Society of Publication Designers, and the National Cartoonists
Society. His clients include Time Magazine, the U.S. Postal Service, Rolling Stone, GQ, Sports Illustrated, Esquire, MAD Magazine,
Campbell’s Soup, Super Bowl, and World Series programs, Wall Street Journal, Cincinnati Reds, Boys’ Life, The New Yorker, and
regular features for Reader’s Digest. He has illustrated 20 children’s books, including those by celebrity authors John Lithgow,
Steve Martin, and Astronaut Mark Kelly; and his picture books have been on the New York Times bestseller list. Payne’s work is
in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery and he has regularly lectured and exhibited his work across the
United States.
Prior to his appointment as Program Director in May 2016, Payne served as Illustration Department co-chair at the Columbus
College of Art and Design where he was recognized as a “Professor of Distinction”. He was a founding board member of the
ICON Illustration Conference, served as vice president of the Cincinnati Art Directors Club, and chaired both the Society of
Illustrators 38th Annual Competition and the Society of Illustrators Museum Committee.
Payne began teaching in Murray Tinkelman’s low-residency programs at Syracuse University in 1991 and the University of
Hartford in 2006, and is committed to honoring and upholding the high standard of excellence that the Tinkelmans, Murray
and his late wife Carol, established with the program at the University of Hartford.
PROGRAM OF STUDY
Our low-residency program takes 2 years (summer, fall, spring) and 2 weeks
(final third summer) to complete. You convene with other students at our
campus in West Hartford, Connecticut for two weeks in July for three
consecutive summers. Program faculty include professionals from across
the country.
Between the intensive, two-week studio and lecture-packed summer
residencies, we meet in selected cities for one week in both November and
March to interact with leading illustrators, illustration entrepreneurs, agents, and
licensing experts. This completes the 10 weeks of contact time in the program.
We tap into what is happening right now among the best in the illustration field
in cities such as Dallas, Tex.; New York City, NY; Pasadena/Los Angeles, Calif.;
and San Francisco, Calif.
THESIS ADVISORS
Doug Andersen, illustrator and illustration faculty, Hartford Art School
Bill Thomson, illustrator and illustration faculty, Hartford Art School
RECENT HARTFORD SUMMER RESIDENCY FACULTY
Robert Hunt, Peter McCarty, Lauren Mills, Jeff Sangalli, Willie Real,
Gary Kelley, Daniel Pelavin, Nancy Stahl, Chris Georgenes, Lisa Cyr,
Jeff Seaver, Chris Spollen
RECENT GUEST SPEAKERS IN HARTFORD
Kinuko Craft, Jack Tom, Vincent DiFate, Etienne Delessert, Istvan Banyai,
Allison Bamcat, Randy Enos, Bud Cook, Jacqueline Decker, Elwood Smith,
Gary Lippincott, Leslie Cober-Gentry
MUSEUM VISITS DURING THE HARTFORD RESIDENCY
Eric Carle Museum of Children’s Books, New Britain Museum of American Art,
Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass.
RECENT GUEST SPEAKERS AT OUR FALL AND SPRING SESSIONS
Steve Brodner, Joe Ciardiello, José Cruz, Jack Davis, Peter deSeve,
Leo and Diane Dillon, John Dykes, Teresa Fasolino, Bart Forbes,
Craig Frazier, Rudy Gutierrez, Robert Hunt, Victor Juhasz, Chuck Pyle,
Hartford Art School is accredited by NASAD
Yuko Shimizu, Robert Kato, Jack Unruh, Courtney Granner, Collin Fix,
University of Hartford is accredited by NEASC
Ward Schumaker
STUDIO VISITS
Communication Arts Magazine, Electronic Arts Entertainment, Disney
Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation Studios, Jane and Ben
Eisenstat’s Illustration Collection, Lucasfilm Campus, Real Musgrave’s
Studio, Kenton Nelson’s Studio, Nickelodeon Studios, Society of
Illustrators, Illustration House, Ted and Betsy Lewin’s Studio
APPLICATION PROCESS & PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS
» Contact Shayna Cochefski, Program Manager at cochefski@hartford.edu to submit your initial inquiry. Please include a link to your online portfolio/website or an attachment containing at least 10 of your best commissioned and reproduced illustrations as
your portfolio.
» There will be a follow-up phone interview with
Chris Payne, Program Director.
» Upon the acceptance of your portfolio, complete the online application and submit your $50 application fee at hartford.edu/gradapp
» Please request that one official copy of your transcript from any college and/or postsecondary institution you attended be forwarded to:
Center for Graduate and Adult Academic Services
University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117-1599
» Submit a letter of intent (within the on-line application). In no more than 500 words, this statement should address your influences, interests, brief life history, current direction, and reasons for applying to a graduate program at this time.
» Request one letter of recommendation attesting to your ability and competence from a person practicing or teaching in the field in which the application is made.
» Upload your portfolio (PDF format) to the application DEADLINES & DATES
Admission into the MFA Illustration program occurs on a rolling
basis. Applications will be considered until the year’s cohort of 20
for the start of the summer semester is full, with a priority deadline
of January 14.
MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Some partial tuition scholarships are available for entering
candidates. The awarding of scholarships is determined by
the Illustration Committee and is based purely on the merit of
professional work. Portfolios are reviewed prior to May 1 and
students are notified of awards by June 1.
GRADUATE PRESIDENTIAL FELLOWSHIPS
The goal of this merit-based program is to recruit the very best
applicants to the University’s graduate programs. The award
defrays 25% of the student’s annual tuition, up to $5,000, for each
of the first two years after matriculation and is paid directly to the
student’s Bursar’s account. No extensions of the award beyond
two years are possible. Nominations are made by the director.
Recipients are not required to provide any services to
the University in exchange for the award.
FINANCIAL AID
Students enrolled in the program are considered full time and may
be eligible for federal and supplemental loan programs. For more
information call 800.947.4303, email finaid@hartford.edu or visit
admission.hartford.edu/finaid
CANDIDACY
All Master of Fine Arts in Illustration candidates are required to
maintain continuous enrollment in the program and a minimum
cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
portal or email GradStudy@hartford.edu with a link to
your portfolio.
» Following your acceptance into the program, you will
need to submit a non-refundable $300 deposit to hold
your spot within the cohort beginning that summer. Visit admission.hartford.edu/deposit and log in using the same ID/PIN you created at the beginning of the application process. Your deposit will be credited to your account and
applied toward future tuition.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
» TOEFL—Official score to be submitted.
The University of Hartford test code number is 3436.
Visit TOEFL at ets.org.
Minimum score: 550 paper-based or 80 internet-based.
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) minimum score is a 58. Visit the PTE at: pearsonpte.com. The IELTS is also accepted with a minimum score of 6.5 or higher.
» Guarantor’s Statement—As part of the application, international students must provide a bank statement to
ensure adequacy of funds. This statement is also used to issue an I-20 form to students. The Guarantor’s Statement is necessary for obtaining a visa. The cost for international students to study and live at the University of Hartford can be found at hartford.edu/graduate/int.aspx
The Graduate Admission Office would be happy to
provide more specific information about a degree
program or answer any other questions you may
have. Please contact the office by email at
GradStudy@hartford.edu or by phone at
860.768.4371 or 800.945.0712.
For detailed information regarding the
curriculum and program, contact:
Shayna Cochefski
Program Manager
860.716.3600
cochefski@hartford.edu
Graduate program events are held throughout the year.
Open Houses are held in August and January.
Learn more at hartford.edu/gradevents
hartfordillustrationmfa.org
LOW RESIDENCY
MFA IN ILLUSTRATION
TUITION
The tuition for the academic year* which
includes the summer, fall, and spring
terms is $23,291, plus fees.
Summer 2016
Fall 2016
Spring 2017 »
»
»
$15,605
$ 3,843
$ 3,843
Students should expect additional expenses
for transportation to and from contact period
locations, hotels, meals, art supplies, and
car rentals.
SCHEDULED CONTACT PERIODS
March, 2016 July, 2016
November, 2016
March, 2017
July, 2017
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Fort Worth, Tex.
Hartford, Conn.
New York City, N.Y.
San Francisco, Calif.
Hartford, Conn.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Course # Course Title
Credits
YEAR 1
SUMMER 1, FIRST WEEK
ILS 861
Advanced Illustration 1 3
ILS 862
Advanced Illustration 2 3
ILS 610
Illustration in Context 1 (1850–1950)2
ILS 620
Illustration Summer Lecture Series 12
SUMMER 1, SECOND WEEK
ILS 760 Digital Illustration 4
ILS 611 Illustration in Context 2 (1950–2000)2
ILS 961 Thesis Project 1 1
FALL 1, OFF-CAMPUS LOCATION
ILS 710 Illustration Issues 1 2
ILS 711 Illustration Assignment 1 2
SPRING 1, OFF-CAMPUS LOCATION
ILS 720 Illustration Issues 1 2
ILS 721 Illustration Assignment 1 2
ILS 962 Thesis Project 2 1
YEAR 2
SUMMER 2, FIRST WEEK
ILS 863 Advanced Illustration 3 4
ILS 613 Illustration in Context 3 (Genres) 2
ILS 621 Illustration Summer Lecture Series 2 2
SUMMER 2, SECOND WEEK
ILS 761 Children’s Book Illustration 4
ILS 640 The Business of Illustration 3
ILS 963 Thesis Project 3 1
For detailed information regarding
the curriculum and program, contact
Shayna Cochefski, Program Manager at
cochefski@hartford.edu or 860.716.3600.
Our Graduate Admission department
would be happy to provide more
information or answer any other
questions you may have regarding
FALL 2, OFF-CAMPUS
ILS 712 ILS 713 ILS 964 LOCATION
Illustration Issues 2 2
Illustration Assignment 2 1
Thesis Project 4 1
SPRING 2, OFF-CAMPUS LOCATION
ILS 722 Illustration Issues 2 2
ILS 723 Illustration Assignment 2 2
ILS 965 Thesis Project 5 1
admission. Contact
GradStudy@hartford.edu,
860.768.4371 or 800.945.0712.
YEAR 3
SUMMER 3, FIRST WEEK
ILS 864
Advanced Illustration 4 3
hartfordillustrationmfa.org
SUMMER 3, SECOND WEEK
ILS 865
Advanced Illustration 5 3
ILS 970 Thesis Defense and Exhibition 3
Total Credit Hours
60
*subject to change in accordance with University rules and without notice
AY2016/17