The Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts (Low-Res MFA) program is a transdisciplinary course of study designed for 21st-century artists, writers, and educators looking for rigorous engagement, artistic community, and the flexibility of a self-directed schedule.

Over the course of the seven-semester MFA program, a rotating core of SAIC faculty delivers on-campus and online instruction.

  • Students attend three consecutive six-week summer sessions in-person in Chicago structured around weekly seminars, colloquia, and studio visits with faculty and visiting artists. 
  • During the spring and fall semesters between summer residencies, students work remotely from their home studios, and participate in asynchronous online courses and one-on-one advising. 
  • The degree culminates in a written thesis and exhibition presented to the public.

Bringing together artists across all areas of practice, the Low-Res MFA is primarily a deeply conceptual and discursive program that emphasizes dialogue in community. 

2025 Summer Residency Dates
In-person attendance is mandatory for the entire six-week residency period as well as orientation.

Mandatory Orientation: Friday June 13, 2025
Classes: Monday, June 16–Friday, July 25, 2025

Black woman with glasses speaking at a podium
Low-Residency MFA

Visiting Artists & Scholars Series

A hallmark of the Low-Res program, the Visiting Artists & Scholars lecture series brings world-renowned artists and scholars from all disciplines to Chicago during the Low-Res MFA six-week summer residency period. Speakers deliver a public lecture open to the entire SAIC and Chicago community. 

Side by side black and white headshots of Gregg Bordowitz and Aliza Shvarts
Low-Residency MFA

10 Years of Low-Res

Low-Res celebrated its 10th anniversary! To mark this milestone, inaugural director, Gregg Bordowitz, joined new director, Aliza Shvarts, for a public on-campus conversation. Their discussion delved into the program’s origins and explored questions of transdisciplinarity, politics, and the future of arts pedagogy as a mechanism for social change. Thank you to all the students, alumni, faculty, and friends who joined us for this very special event.

Low Res MFA Studios
Low-Residency MFA

Core Faculty

The Low-Res MFA provides you the opportunity to work with world-renowned practitioners committed to interdisciplinary research and practice. The program is taught by core SAIC faculty as well as a rotating international roster of visiting artists, scholars, writers, critics, curators, and historians, who engage students in seminar, small group, and one-on-one instruction.

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Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts Department

37 S. Wabash Ave., 
Chicago, IL 60603
 

Director

Aliza Shvarts ashvarts@saic.edu

Assistant Director & Graduate Coordinator

Kelly Kaczynski kkaczynski@saic.edu

Graduate Coordinator

John Neff jneff1@saic.edu

Senior Administrative Director

Aaron Kissman akissman@saic.edu

Administrative Director

Jennie Bukowski jbukow@saic.edu

Administrative Assistant

Isra Pate ipate@saic.edu