Overview
The Dance – Interdisciplinary Research MFA program at New York University is a full-time, residential graduate course designed for experienced artists and practitioners aiming to explore innovative, research-driven approaches to dance. This program offers a unique opportunity for students to create original work while engaging in interdisciplinary methods and collaborative practices, all under the guidance of close mentorship in a small cohort setting.
- Award: MFA (Master of Fine Arts)
- Duration: 2 years (full-time)
- Delivery: Residential programme
- Study pace: Cohort-based graduate study with seminars and independent work
- Cohort size: Limited intake to support individual mentorship
- Language of instruction: English
- Application materials: CV, purpose essay, creative/academic concept statement, and work samples
What you'll study
Typical curriculum components
- Graduate Dance Seminar: Focus on advanced approaches, critical discussions, and research methodologies for contemporary dance practice.
- Writing Contemporary Practice: Emphasizes the development of practice-based writing for proposals, reflections, and scholarly communication.
- Worldmaking: Investigates how choreographic and artistic systems influence meaning, form, and audience perception.
- Pedagogy: Covers teaching methods and curriculum development for dance education and practice-led learning.
- Business of Art: Addresses professional practice topics such as project planning, presenting work, and sustaining an artistic career.
- Independent Study: Provides mentored research and development aligned with individual creative and academic concepts.
Capstone / culminating work
Students will complete a significant culminating project that synthesizes their research inquiries and creative practices. The format of this project may vary according to individual direction and faculty input and will be developed throughout the coursework, seminars, and independent study.
Entry requirements
Admission to the program is based on the strength of your artistic and professional profile, your alignment with interdisciplinary research in dance, and the quality of submitted materials. Specific GRE/GMAT scores or GPA thresholds are not required.
Career prospects
Graduates of the Dance – Interdisciplinary Research MFA program are well-equipped to pursue diverse career paths within the arts. They may take on roles as choreographers, educators, researchers, and performers, or engage in interdisciplinary projects that combine dance with other fields. The program's emphasis on original research and collaborative practices prepares students for innovative contributions to the evolving landscape of dance and performance art.