Is it just me or does it seem like the applications for arts residencies are on the rise? Whether it’s New York City, Los Angeles, or even smaller towns in-between, the creative industries have truly become a dominant force in the cultural landscape of the United States. A lot of this can be credited to the success of the highly acclaimed low residency MFA program at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The number of applications the MFA program receives each year is amazing. The application pool is so large that they sometimes have to turn down qualified candidates just to make sure they have enough space for everyone who wants to enter their program.
Why Mass Art?
While film and television have definitely taken the cake when it comes to arts residencies in the United States, other creative industries have not been left out. As a matter of fact, the creative industries have been so good to Massachusetts that the state’s income from digital media, graphic design, and other such industries now account for about 19% of the entire state’s economy. This makes Massachusetts the third-largest producer of talent in the country.
Which is exactly why Lesley University decided to launch a low residency MFA program in 2011. They saw an opportunity to train the next generation of creative entrepreneurs who could take over the state’s economy and decided to seize it. If you’ve ever shopped at Nordstrom, you may have noticed that they are the proud owners of a brand new store location in the North Shore dubbed “Nordstrom Local.” That’s because the luxury retailer has a strong hold on the local economy. They invest a lot of money into local projects and hire lots of people who work in the area. So much money, in fact, that the company became the first publicly traded company to be valued at over one trillion dollars.
Needless to say, with all their shopping and investing, it’s no wonder that Nordstrom likes to support local projects. They see their investment in education as paying huge dividends in the long term. According to their website, the majority of their 400 employees are graduates of one of the many local schools that the company has helped to fund.
How Is Social Mobility Important To The Success Of The MFA?
While it’s great that the creative industries have propelled Massachusetts and the North Shore into a new economic age, the shift has not been without its challenges. One of the dominant themes that comes up time and time again in relation to the MFA is social mobility. As noted, the creative industries have had a huge impact on the local economy, but they have not been limited to the North Shore. The entire state has benefited from the growth of the creative industries, yet many areas still struggle with poverty and lack of employment opportunities. This is especially true for people of color, who are greatly underrepresented in the creative industries.
It is without question that the MFA could change all of this. Thanks to the ingenuity of the program’s founder, Walter Benn Michaels, the MFA has helped to provide the North Shore and the entire state of Massachusetts with a new pathway to economic prosperity. Michaels saw the potential for the program to not only create a new generation of artists, but to also transform the existing one. He wanted to create a program that would expose underserved communities to the joys of art and build a stronger sense of community. He saw the potential to create a situation where everyone, including participants, could experience a greater sense of personal and social mobility. To achieve this, however, he knew that he would have to be creative.
Is Personal Stereotypes Important When Choosing Residents For The MFA?
While the MFA has undoubtedly achieved a lot in the last four years, it’s not without its critics. Many in the artistic community have raised their eyebrows in concern about the types of people who participate in, and are attracted to, the program. While personal stereotypes are often used to judge someone, they don’t necessarily have to be. Just because someone participates in the arts doesn’t mean that they have to be a certain way. Art is subjective, and for the most part, so is appreciation for it. That being said, while these stereotypes exist to some degree, they shouldn’t be completely disregarded. After all, we’re living in a society that values diversity, so why should art be any different?
The Upsides
Despite all the negative press that the MFA has received, it still enjoys a very positive reputation among those who have completed the program. The fact that so many people are willing to publicly voice their concerns about the program could actually be a good thing in the long term. If enough people are talking about it, maybe there’s a chance that it could be improved. Otherwise, at least it’s provided some very unique opportunities for those who have participated in it. Here are just some of the advantages of the program:
- A great opportunity to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Growth mindset – the ability to believe that we can improve and succeed
- Creative problem solving
- A new found appreciation for the arts
- A deeper connection to the community
- A greater sense of identity and pride
- A better understanding of one’s abilities and worth
- A more open and global perspective
- A greater chance of finding a job
- A step toward greater personal and social mobility
- Stronger bonds with family and friends
- The chance to explore a wide range of interests
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some editing to do before my next podcast appearance …