Situated within an Art Department with internationally recognized faculty, SUNY New Paltz’s graduate program is considered one of the best, most affordable programs on the East Coast. As a State University we pride ourselves on delivering an accessible high-quality education to a diverse group of students.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
MFA Scholarship
The MFA Scholarship is automatically awarded to all incoming out-of-state and international students allowing them to pay the affordable in-state resident tuition rates. Out-of-state students are eligible to receive this for their first year of graduate study and have the option of applying for New York State residency during their first year so they can continue to pay in-state rates. International students receive the MFA scholarship for the duration of their study.
GOPW Tuition Waiver Program
The Graduate Opportunity Tuition Waiver Program (GOPW) provides a tuition waiver for up to nine credits of graduate tuition to former EOP/HEOK/SEEK students meeting the eligibility requirements.
Sojourner Truth Diversity Fellowship (STF)
The Sojourner Truth Diversity Fellowship is open to applicants from all majors holding at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA in pursuit of their initial master's degree, a US citizen or permanent resident, matriculated in a graduate program at New Paltz; and adequately meeting the diversity criteria set forth within the application.
Professor Ben Wigfall Memorial Printmaking Scholarship
A $2000 award given to an entering MFA Art Studio Student with a preference in Printmaking. Recipients of the scholarship will be selected by Graduate Art Program faculty, consisting of the Printmaking area head and the Graduate School coordinator. Students will be selected based upon merit as seen through the candidate's MFA application and portfolio. Financial need will guide the selection and preference would be given to a candidate from an underserved community.
Luigi and Anita Traverso Photography Award Endowment
MFA and BFA Photography majors currently in Thesis 2/Senior Studio II may submit work for the Luigi and Anita Traverso Photography Scholarship.This award is offered through the generosity of emeritus Professor of Italian, Giancarlo Traverso and honors the memory of his parents, Luigi and Anita Traverso.
Recipients of the award will be selected by the Photography Department based upon the quality of work produced for the Thesis show and their ability to meet the award’s criteria.. Awards will be granted at the end of the semester of application.
Student should be enrolled, by the time of the award, in Senior Studio II / Thesis II, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, be a matriculated full time or part time SUNY New Paltz student. The applicant are required to submit a 200-300 word statement concerning their involvement in the life of the photography program, any professional pre-graduation involvements if fieldwork. This should be accompanied by a portfolio of 10-15 images.
To apply click here.
TEACHER OF RECORD AND GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
SUNY New Paltz offers an extensive variety of paid Teacher of Record and Graduate Assistantships for MFA students who are interested in gaining hands-on professional experience in teaching, museum/gallery studies, art education, and art administration. Students interested in pursuing a career in teaching gain valuable experience as a Teacher of Record (TR), where they are given their own class to teach. Graduate Assistantships (GAs) provide an opportunity to acquire administrative skills within a particular aspect of the arts. Descriptions of the specific TR and GA opportunities are listed below. Priority is given to incoming students who apply by Jan. 15. Applications will still be accepted after this date until all positions are filled. Please note that most assistantships are awarded in advance of your enrollment, and this is the only time you can apply for these positions. For that reason, we recommend that all MFA students apply to as many positions as possible!
TRs and GAs receive a $2,500 stipend and a $2,700 tuition waiver for a total aid package of $5200 per semester. TRs and GAs are also eligible for health insurance through the university. If you have questions regarding assistantships, please direct them to Graduate Coordinator Matthew Friday (fridaym@newpaltz.edu).
Submit a Graduate Assistantship or Graduate Teacher of Record Application
Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art
Two-semester position to start in the Fall. 20 hours per week.
Primary duties include assistance to the Preparator with gallery preparation, exhibition installation, lighting, art handling, matting/framing, wall label and signage/banner production, and assisting with the organization of student thesis exhibitions, including correspondence between museum and student participants.
Secondary duties include reorganizing storage areas; organizing and maintaining a/v, lighting and other equipment, inventorying supplies; updating exhibition and curatorial files; and special projects as determined in consultation with museum staff.
Must be courteous, careful, and detail-oriented; must be willing to climb ladders and lift at least 40 lbs., must have knowledge of hand tools; facility with computer graphics software and printers a plus.
Visiting Art Lecture Series Coordinator
Two-semester position to start in the Spring. 20 hours per week.
Primary duties include the coordination of visiting artists in collaboration with the Student Art Alliance.
Candidates should have strong organizational and interpersonal skills, fluency with MS Office including word processing and database management and basic familiarity with digital photo editing.
This two-semester appointment begins in the Spring; close mentorship and training with the existing assistant is expected during the Fall.
Visiting Art Lecture Series Coordinator duties:
- Coordination of six-to-eight visiting artist/presenters per semester
- Organization of visiting artists, confirmation of travel, hotel stay, dinner reservations, and lunches for the artist during their stay
- Management of artist contracts and paperwork for stipends, tax forms, purchase orders for hotel, media, and printing services
- Responsible for management of budget as it relates to all aspects the artists travel, food, and accommodations. Budget must be presented and approved each semester at Student Art Alliance Board Meetings
- Coordination of artist lecture presentation setup, video recordings of lectures, and reservation of room with Media Services and Student Activities
- Communication with faculty and students throughout the semester with visiting artist details
- Responsible for organizing a yearly slide slam for students to vote on artists for lecture series
- Introduce artist at public lecture and oversee their schedule during their visit. Must be on site for troubleshooting and assisting with the artist around campus the day of the lecture
- Responsible for transporting and/or arrangement of travel for artists during their visit
- Coordination of promotional material with graphic design department for poster advertisements and responsible for distribution of material
Dimensions of job performance include:
- Communication: Speaking and writing clearly and accurately; responding to communication requests in a timely manner
- Collegiality and Collaboration: Interacting in ways that are helpful, respectful of others, approachable, and team-oriented; promoting a positive work environment
- Effectiveness: Performing tasks thoroughly and with care and attention to detail
- Initiative: Taking ownership of work; able to work independently, following through on responsibilities
- Improvement: Being receptive and responsive to feedback
- Efficiency: managing work time effectively; being on time
Art Education Administrative Assistant
Two-semester position to start in the Fall. 20 hours per week.
Specific hours will be determined upon hiring to fit the assistant’s schedule.
Working with the Art Education Coordinator, this assistant gathers, organizes, and summarizes information related to the Art Education program.
The assistant will help produce, update, and circulate promotional material including brochures, posters, websites, and social media sites. Additionally, the assistant will arrange on-campus meetings and tours with interested students and assist in tracking alumni and producing alumni events. Other responsibilities will include management of Art Education fieldwork opportunities, facilitating storage of and access to digital resources connected to Art Education courses, assisting faculty with materials preparation related to coursework.
Responsible for event planning related to the Art Education program and promotion of program through social media.
Dimensions of job performance include:
- Communication: Speaking and writing clearly and accurately; responding to communication requests in a timely manner
- Collegiality: Interacting in ways that are helpful, respectful of others, approachable, and team-oriented; promoting a positive work environment
- Effectiveness: Performing tasks thoroughly and with care and attention to detail
- Initiative: Taking ownership of work; able to work independently, following through on responsibilities
- Improvement: Being receptive and responsive to feedback
- Efficiency: managing work time effectively; being on time
- Experienced with MS Word and Excel
- Familiarity with digital media: photo editing and layout skills
- Familiarity with social media: ability to use Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Art Education Saturday Arts Lab Assistant
Two-semester position to start at the beginning of the Fall semester. 20 hours per week.
The SAL Assistant assists with the successful functioning of SAL program. Approximately five hours per week occur on Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. during mid Fall and mid Spring semesters. Additionally, three hours a week occur during a regularly set weekday evening from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Occasional attendance is required during the SAL course (ARE 303) time, which occurs from 9:30 – 12:15 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. One hour weekly meetings will be determined with SAL Faculty Coordinator. Remaining work hours are determined by SAL Assistant.
Representative duties include the following:
- Assisting in the coordination of SAL Interns.
- Gathering, organizing, and distributing information.
- Providing clear summaries of information for the Art Education Director.
- Working cooperatively with SAL Faculty Coordinator and SAL Site Supervisor.
- Developing informational printed and digital materials for the Art Education Program.
- Producing, updating, and circulating promotional materials including brochures, posters, websites, and social media.
- Managing timesheets and paperwork related SAL Intern’s fieldwork experiences.
- Managing and overseeing Art Education Resource Room and supply closet access.
- Maintaining supply lists as well as generating and placing supply orders.
- Facilitating storage of and access to digital resources connected to Art Education courses.
- Assisting Art Education Faculty with materials preparation related to SAL and related SAL coursework.
- Assisting with the coordination and display of the end of session SAL art exhibitions, one in the Fall and one in the Spring semesters.
Other duties may be assigned by the Art Education Program Director or assigned SAL Faculty Coordinator.
Dimensions of job performance include:
- Communication: Speaking and writing clearly and accurately; responding to communication requests in a timely manner.
- Collegiality: Interacting in ways that are helpful, respectful of others, approachable, and team-oriented; promoting a positive work environment.
- Effectiveness: Performing tasks thoroughly and with care and attention to detail.
- Initiative: Taking ownership of work; able to work independently, following through on responsibilities.
- Improvement: Being receptive and responsive to feedback.
- Efficiency: Managing work time effectively; being on time.
- Job performance reviews will be held at the end of each semester.
Additional Requirements:
- Effectively and efficiently able to use Word and Excel.
- Knowledge of InDesign or other graphic design software is helpful.
- Prior teaching experience is preferred but not required
Photography Graduate Assistant
Two semester position to start in the Fall. 20 hours per week. This position is only available to students enrolled in the Photography and related Media MFA program.
The Photography GA works closely with the head of the Photography Program and the photography tech on various projects and tasks to help maintain and upgrade Photography Program facilities, tools, and processes. The Photography GA position provides a valuable learning experience in photographic tools and technologies, preparing students for a wide range of technical careers.
Tasks coordinated with the photo technician will include overseeing the photography equipment, training, and supervising student workers, upgrading workflows and systems, and optimizing spaces. The GA assists in regular upkeep and maintenance of the Old Library photography production spaces as well as the Photo MFA spaces in the Smiley Art Building. In conversation with the photography faculty, the GA will assist in maintaining the program website and develop digital and analog program archives. The GA will coordinate with the Photography faculty and Graduate Coordinator to promote the program through social media outreach and advertising.
Submit a Graduate Assistantship or Graduate Teach of Record Application
