Master of Arts in Transformative Arts

The Master of Arts (MA) in Transformative Arts addresses a growing cultural imperative that art must reassume its integral position in the community. The Transformative Arts program develops the artist's creative work with a focus on healing and personal growth, and integrating philosophical and academic work. It prepares students to become facilitators of positive change in the world through art and the creative process.

Students in the MA in Transformative Arts program have diverse artistic practices and levels of experience. Many have backgrounds in visual arts, but some are poets, musicians, dancers, or performance artists. Some have discovered their creative path relatively recently, while others have been practicing their art for many years. These diverse students find common ground through their investigation of the relationship between inner being and outer work. They share a focus toward service to others through artistic expression.

Specific coursework addresses the practical applications of creativity through group and individual work. Electives provide students the opportunity to explore and grow in their area of special interest to discover their own unique way to use art as a healing force. The focus in all courses is not as much on developing the student’s artist talents, but rather on gaining insights about the artistic process that can be applied as transformative teachers and healers.

This degree culminates with a community arts project in which the student applies the information and understanding gained in the program. A final paper is then submitted, in which the community project is discussed and examined within the context of both the student’s personal experience of the creative process and the academic material related to the activity.

The Master of Arts in Transformative Arts degree can be completed in approximately two years, although students may complete the program at their own pace (within departmental guidelines).

Program Learning Outcomes

• Artistic Development, Practice, Process and Personal Transformation. Demonstrates dedication and commitment to ongoing creative practice and skill development. Demonstrates a unique, personal approach in utilizing expressive qualities of media or medium to achieve psycho-spiritual growth. Demonstrates knowledge of creative process and practice in relationship to intention and outcomes of specific works.
• Cultural Inquiry/Research and Influences. Demonstrate awareness of links between spirituality, personal and cultural transformation and creative self- expression. Identifies artistic influences in creative works and philosophical/cultural/contemporary context for artistic practice.
• Professional Development. Demonstrate personal inquiry, research and professional preparation through coursework, mentorships and development of a cohesive and professional portfolio of transformative art-based projects. Demonstrates a capacity to facilitate creative and transformative process with others.
• Academic Achievement. Demonstrate critical thinking, research and scholarly investigation in relationship to creative process and critical writing. Quality of submitted portfolio demonstrates excellence and creative professionalism. Review presentation demonstrates preparedness, self-reflection and adequate body of artwork.

Requirements

Courses
CNS 5010 - Paradigms of Consciousness (3 units)
A&C 5100 - Introduction to Tranformative Arts (3 units)
A&C 5200 - Transformative Arts Education (6 units)
A&C 5255 - Transformative Arts Seminar (6 units)
A&C 5260 - Transformative Arts Teaching Practicum (3 units)
A&C 5310 - Art and the Symbolic Process (3 units)
A&C 5312 - Creativity and Consciousness (3 units)
A&C 5360 - Beyond the Studio: Community Collaboration A (3 units)
A&C 5361 - Beyond the Studio: Community Collaboration B (3 units)
A&C 5675 - Artist Resources: Career Pathways (3 units)

Select from the following:
A&C 5010 - Image and Process (3 units)
A&C 5300 - Applied Alchemy (3 units)
A&C 5305 - Art and Altered States of Consciousness (3 units)
A&C 5315 - Dreams and the Arts (2 units)
A&C 5342 - History of Sacred Arts (3 units)
A&C 5350 - Artist in Society (3 units)
A&C 5530 - Art, Archetypes and Creative Process (3 units)

Midpoint Review
A&C 5555 - MA Transformative Arts: Mid-Point Review (1 unit)
Studio Arts: Select from the following: (12 units)
A&C 5331 - Media of Sacred Arts (6 units)
A&C 5670 - Group Studio Practice (6 units)

Master's Project
A&C 5988 - Transformative Arts: Final Project A (2 units)
A&C 5989 - Transformative Arts: Final Project B (2 units)
General Electives: can include up to 6 units of Individual, Group or Community Mentorships (9 units)

Total units required: 68

Program Information

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Program Locations

• Berkeley Campus

Related Downloads

• MA Transformative Arts Application Requirements and Form

Useful Links

• Attend an Upcoming Open House