Visual Arts - Summary of COVID-19 Contingency Plan

As discussed in our meeting on April 7th, all second year MFA Visual and Sound Art students have the option to and are encouraged to complete their thesis work by participating in individual advising and group critiques via Zoom this semester and graduate in May. 

Second year MFA Visual and Sound Art students who wish to complete and/or exhibit their thesis work on campus when it is safe to do so are being offered two options to consider. 

Students who wish to consider one of these options are to schedule an online meeting with Matthew, Carrie and Laila prior to May 1st. International students are also to consult with ISSO regarding their immigration and visa status. 

Our ability to commit to these options is contingent on many factors including the health and safety of all involved, the commitment of faculty and staff, as well as various levels of University approval. 

OPTION 1: Graduate in May as planned, apply for OPT now (if desired), and participate as alumni in the thesis exhibit.  Note: ISSO has confirmed that once the OPT application has been submitted to the government, it cannot be changed.  

• As alumni, you would be invited to participate in one of two exhibits that would be held in sequence at the Lenfest Center, dates to be determined. 
• When it is safe to return to campus, the timelines for the exhibit and install dates would be determined. The Program would review individual requests for limited periods of alumni access to labs, shops, and workspace prior to the exhibition on a space available basis. To be considered for facilities access, a proposal outlining the type of access requested, proof of health insurance, and a signed release of liability would be required.  These requests would be reviewed and granted on a case by case basis.
• The Program would arrange for advising prior to the exhibition, as well as individual and group critiques during the course of the exhibition. 
• Alumni who wish to exhibit their work but cannot return to NYC would be offered the opportunity to exhibit their work in absentia or via video/audio, the details of which would to be determined in consultation with the curator and technical staff, and approved by the Chair of the Program.

OPTION 2: Postpone graduation to February 2021, return to campus in September if it is safe to do so, and register as a Research Arts student to complete the thesis and participate in the exhibit.

• You would be scheduled to participate in one of two exhibits that would be held in sequence at the Lenfest Center, dates to be determined.

• Access to shops, labs and individual advising would be granted for a limited period yet to be determined, prior to each student’s install date to ensure equity to the extent possible. 

• Individual or shared studios, or workspace, would also be assigned for a limited period on a space available basis, the dates of which would be determined based on each student’s install and exhibition schedule.

• SoA Research Arts tuition would be covered or waived, but no additional financial aid would be provided. SoA cannot waive University-wide fees.

• Health insurance would be required (or waived with proof of other comparable insurance) as determined by Columbia Health. 

• No TAs or service positions would be granted to Research Arts students.

• Research Arts status granted for a full semester qualifies US citizens to be eligible for federal loans.

• Students who elect this option would graduate in February 2021. 

• Research Arts status ends on December 23, 2020.  

OPTION 3: Graduate in May or October and participate in an online Thesis Exhibition.

• This is the most equitable choice for the class of 2020 and avoids disenfranchising students who are unable to elect option #2 or return when it is safe to do so to complete projects for, and participate in, an exhibition of the class of 2020 (see below).

However, If the University determines it is not safe to return to campus in September, students who elect option #2 would graduate in October 2020 (it is not possible to grant Research Arts status for a partial term). Given the current situation, students who elect option #2 need to prepare for this contingency. 

• As an October graduate, you would be invited to participate as alumni (as in Option #1) in one of two exhibits of the Class of 2020 held in sequence at the Lenfest Center, dates to be determined.

• Once it is safe to return to campus, the timelines for the exhibit and install dates would be determined. The Program would review individual requests for limited periods of alumni access to labs, shops, and workspace prior to the exhibition on a space available basis. To be considered for facilities access, a proposal outlining the type of access requested, proof of health insurance, and a signed release of liability would be required.  These requests would be reviewed and granted on a case by case basis.

• The Program would arrange for advising prior to the exhibition, and individual and group critiques during the course of the exhibition.

• Alumni who wish to exhibit their work but cannot return to NYC would be offered the opportunity to exhibit their work in absentia or via video/audio, the details of which would to be determined in consultation with the curator and technical staff, and approved by the Chair of the Program.