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Programme
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Scenography
The FMI Masters is the first and the only institute in the Netherlands to offer a Master?s degree programme in Scenography. This programme has been in operation since 2002.
The programme was set up to meet demands for more in-depth knowledge and familiarity with the theoretical foundations of scenography.
Scenography (from Gr., literally: stage/tent drawing) comprises theatre design in the broadest sense of the term, assigning dramatic design to theatrical space. Scenography is a movement in time and space, a phenomenon that is the subject of in-depth research at the FMI Masters.
Programme:
M MFA Scenography generates in-depth knowledge at theoretical, analytical and visual-dramaturgic levels, epitomizing the concurrence of form and content.
In addition to the core tutors, term tutors from the wide domain of theatre supervise the students in their research and projects.
Students learn to ask about everything, to adopt a positive attitude to their work and to the sources of inspiration that form and steer their vision, and learn to cope with theatre practice. This is done by reflecting on their own and on the others? work in a historical and social context.
The programme is supervised by core, term and guest tutors as well as teachers of specific subjects.
Curriculum
The education is oriented toward four starting points: research, representation, acquisition of in-depth knowledge, and reflection. Just like theatre practice, the programme is continually subject to ongoing change. The assignments issued cover both theoretical and practical aspects. The students? own research projects are also of a dual nature; they are intended to stimulate the development of one?s own theatre design practice as well as theoretical reflection on that development.
The study programme consists of four terms, each lasting 20 weeks. An assessment is made at the end of each term, and the fourth term is concluded with the final exam.
The students commit themselves to the programme by entering into a study agreement for every term (SA). The SA must be approved by the tutors, and the educational course is then oriented toward the interests of the individual students.
In the study agreement, the students formulate their own research issues within the following components:
Meetings with guest speakers and workshops, organized by core and term tutors, often around a specific theme.
These components are followed collectively. National and international theatre-makers, designers, scientists and academics or other inspiring personalities contribute to the analysis and acquisition of in-depth knowledge of the profession and to reflection upon it.
A part of the programme includes the theory lectures at the University of Groningen, theory and dramaturgical lessons at the FMI Masters, and visits to theatre performances.
The theory programme is realized in conjunction with the Arts, Culture and Media (ACM) and the History of Art and Architecture programmes at the University of Groningen.
The practice-oriented components that are performed by the students.
These components consist of both individual and group projects and of co-operative projects with theatre organizations and theatre-makers.
Besides these components, the students also perform individual research consisting of designing and implementing scenographic projects.
At the end of each term, all the research issues are assessed with regard to the development of visual dramaturgy and the development of conceptual, theoretical reflections. The students are expected to display ever-increasing in-depth knowledge and understanding of scenography.
The last (fourth) term is largely oriented to the final review.
Each of the students must independently initiate and present a scenographic design or project. In addition, the students complete a theoretical thesis in which they place their own work, their own research project, in a wider context; in other words, they compare their work to the work of other artists, movements and phenomena in order to elucidate the nature of their own work.
If they produce an extremely commendable thesis, this may be nominated for the academy award.
Diploma
To obtain their diploma, students must follow the existing programme and conclude all four terms with a pass mark, in accordance with the Regulations Governing Education and Examinations.
During the final review, the students present an overview of their study as well as an oral explanation of their work to the exam committee consisting of tutors, the Head of the FMI Masters, and external experts.
Professional prospects
With the blurring of the boundaries between artistic and cultural expressions, professional practice for scenographers has expanded considerably in the past few decades.
M MFA Scenography graduates can design all possible spatial environments, from traditional proscenium stages to visual theatre (on location) and virtual spaces.
They are independent performing artists and designers capable of working in (artistic) team configurations, with an ability to initiate, organize and supervise projects themselves. They can accept all assignments in which ideas are required for a dramatic design of space.
Facilities
Students can make use of their own workplaces seven days a week, in accordance with the relevant regulations. During the entire study programme, the students have the programme areas at their disposal, comprising an auditorium, a number of recording studios, student areas or working studios with computer facilities, a printer, scanner, photocopier, a workplace, and a foyer where official presentations can be given. M MFA IME has exceptional computer facilities and a media lab of which use can be made (after consultation).
Use may also be made (after consultation) of the workplaces (for wood, metal, screen printing, media, etc.) in the building of Minerva at the Gedempte Zuiderdiep 158 in Groningen.
Network
Within its programme, M MFA Scenography co-operates with various theatre organizations and stages in the North Netherlands, such as the Grand Theatre, NNT, Galili Dance and De Citadel in Groningen, Oerol Festival on the island of Terschelling, Tryater in Leeuwarden, and the Peer Group in the Province of Drenthe.
The programme is working on realizing an international co-operative venture with Hunter College in New York (USA), the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia (USA) and with the University of Gie?en in Germany. And other scenographical Institutions in Europe will follow.
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