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Master of Visual Arts [MVA] is a two-year postgraduate degree in the visual arts field. In the course of this study, subjects like Sculpture, theatre, Painting, Photography, etc. are studied in depth. This course is offered in many premier universities and institutes of India. The aspirants can also go for distance education to study this course from international universities. The basic eligibility required of the student in order to pursue Master of Visual Arts is that they must have completed their graduation from a recognized university in India or abroad.
Know More About Art Courses
Top Institutes offering MVA (Master of Visual Arts) are Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, NIMS University, Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University, Kumaun University, Nainital, Assam University, Silchar. The course fees range between INR 10,000 - 2 lacs for the total duration.
See Also: MVA Admission Process
MVA degree helps the candidates to learn advanced skills in the visual arts thus making them professionals in this field. The course will equip the students to take on responsibilities in their particular stream with a balance of attitude and skills. Master of Visual Arts (MVA) is a program designed to boost individuals’ talent and mold their creative skills. These skills will help the learner to understand the market and demand for visual arts. The course also provides them a thorough exposure and experience in the diversifying fields of arts.
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Master in Visual Arts is a course that teaches and prepares the students for a league of becoming exceptional artists. It also promotes them to follow other practices that are associated with the field of art. The probable salaries offered to successful postgraduates in this field are between 5-6 lacs per annum.
Table of Content
Master of Visual Arts [MVA]: Course Highlights
Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course:
| Course Level | Postgraduate |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Examination Type | Semester System |
| Eligibility | Graduate from a recognized university |
| Admission Process | Direct admission to colleges. However, some colleges may check student's skills in through an entrance test. |
| Course Fee | INR 10,000 - 2 lacs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 5-6 lacs |
| Top Recruiting Organizations' | National and State Museums, Art Galleries, Craft Mela's and a number of other placements available. |
| Top Recruiting Areas' | Advertising companies, Boutiques, Art Studios, Theatres, Tailoring Shops, Fashion Houses, Education Institutions, Television Industry, Animation, Teaching, Textile Industry, Sculpture |
| Top Job Profiles | Creative Director, Visual Artist, Drawing Teacher, Set Designer, Production Artist, Music Teacher, Multimedia Programmer, Art Therapist, etc |
Master of Visual Arts [MVA]: What is it About?
Master of Visual Arts (MVA) is a course that enables students to have a higher understanding of visual arts and culture, skills and practices of this field. Other theories like organizational management, art programming and curatorship is also taught under the curriculum. MVA aims to nurture a generation of art administrators who can demonstrate the cultural phenomenon. Those who have a passion for arts and are capable of making strategic and sustainable plans should go for this field. Students of MVA Course go on to become artists who work for government museums, non-profit art organizations as well as commercial sectors in relevant creative industries. Students under the study of MVA can choose a major in a broad range of fields such as:
- Art history
- Ceramics
- Communication Design
- Drawing and Painting
- Fashion Design
- Fibers
- Interior Design
- New Media Art
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Watercolor
Master of Visual Arts [MVA]: Who should opt?
The students who wish to study Master of Visual Arts must possess the following qualities:
- The students must have an aptitude for drawing. The drawings made by you should be realistic in the visitor’s eyes and non-plagiarized.
- You should know the best and judicial knowledge of art materials and their most effective use.
- You should be a natural when it comes to showcasing and displaying of things. Your attitude should be welcoming and warm. Hence the presentation & displaying of your work should be mannered.
- Creativity is the backbone of Arts, therefore, a thirst for creativity is a must.
- He should be a good learner so that he grasps the techniques involved in colors and color theory.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are mandatory for every aspirant.
- The need to know basic IT skills have become a prerequisite these days. Hence the student should have knowledge of all digital media used within Arts sector and know well how to represent his work on an online platform.
Master of Visual Arts [MVA]: Admission Process
The universities and the institutions that offer Master of Visual Arts may conduct their own entrance examinations to select the right candidate. The levy cut off marks in the concerned admission test and those who are able to meet this guideline are eligible for an admission to the university. Such exams are conducted mostly in the month of May and June. The candidates who meet the eligibility requirement can go for this entrance test. The admission test is followed by a personal interview round.
Some of the MVA Entrance exams are:
- Aligarh Muslim University MFA Entrance Examination
- Banaras Hindu University Post Graduate Entrance Test
- Central University of Himachal Pradesh Post Graduate Admission Test
- Delhi University PET
- Hyderabad University Entrance examination- Post Graduate Programs
- IGNOU Entrance examination
- Jamia Millia Islamia University Post Graduate Entrance Examination
- Lucknow University Post Graduate Entrance Test
- Mumbai University Entrance Examination
Eligibility for Master of Visual Arts [MVA]
Students must have obtained at least 50% marks in the aggregate of qualifying university examinations. They can apply to only that specialization in which they have done their bachelor’s degree in.
Top Institutes offering Master of Visual Arts [MVA]
Listed below are some of the top institutes offering the course Master of Visual Arts [MVA] in the country with the corresponding locations and fees charged by them:
| Name | City | Fees per annum in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda | Vadodara | 5,900 |
| Utkal University of Culture | Bhubaneshwar | 5,900 |
| Bharathidasan University | Tiruchirapalli | 2,200 |
| The IIS University | Jaipur | 54,000 |
| NIMS University | Jaipur | 24,000 |
| Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University | Mumbai | 14,000 |
| Bangalore University | Bangalore | 5,900 |
| Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University | Jaipur | 41,000 |
Master of Visual Arts [MVA]: Syllabus and Course Description
A semester wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated below:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Specialization (any one): i. Creative Painting ii. Portraiture iii. Mural |
Specialization (Any one): i. Creative Painting ii. Portraiture iii. Mural |
| History of Arts & Technology ( Related to Specialization) | History of Arts & Technology ( Related to Specialization) |
| Philosophy of Arts | Philosophy of Arts |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Specialization (Any one) i. Creative Painting ii. Portraiture iii. Mural |
Specialization (Any one) i. Creative Painting ii. Portraiture iii. Mural |
| Elective Subjects | Dissertation and viva-voce |
Master of Visual Arts [MVA]: Career Prospects
In today's world, the opportunities in the field of arts are increasing at a tremendous rate. This field promises excellent salary, popularity, and prestige to the ones who know how to make it to the top. This is why Master in Visual Arts is a popular course among the youth population of India.
Students after the completion of MVA can work as an art teacher, artists in government offices or a photographer. Postgraduates of Master of Visual Arts can also start their career as a freelance worker and excel in clothing, photography, television and fashion industry.
MVA students can also pursue careers in academics, architecture and film and animation industry. Careers in the creative department of magazines, advertising agencies, and newspapers, publishing or the textile industry are also open. Commercial fields like banking, art gallery, insurance, media and public relations also hire visual artists for producing eye catchy content.
Related Master of Visual Arts (MVA) courses:
Read more about Master courses in Arts
Some of the popular avenues open to postgraduates of Master of Visual Arts [MVA] are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions:
| Job Position | Job Description | Average Annual Salary in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Art therapist | An Art Therapist is dedicated to helping both adults and children with their mental, physical, and emotional stability. They incorporate art-making into the patient's counseling sessions. This type of therapy is used in treating stress, depression, low self-esteem problem and behavioral problems. He advises and provides counseling services to patients using various art disciplines as a means of healing. | 2-3 lacs |
| Multimedia programmer | Multimedia programmers are the ones who use their creative and technical ability to produce marketable digital products like Flash-based websites, mobile apps, and interactively animated films. Works with different multimedia features and is familiar to the usage of text, sound, graphics, digital photography, 2D/3D modeling, animation, and video. He is the backend of websites or computer program creation. | 5-6 lacs |
| Creative Director | They are the creative leads who advertise and market companies. Creative Directors work with designers, artists, copywriters, and marketers to frame strategies for selling products. Their job is to advertise and facilitate the creative process and lead, guide and motivate the creative team that works for him. | 13-16 lacs |
| Fine Artist | The job of a fine artist is to produce artwork using a variety of media and techniques. He then displays his work in museums, galleries or has a private collection. He may have clients who purchase his work for their beauty and appeal. His objects are sold in studios, auctions, stores or at arts and crafts shows. | 2-3 lacs |
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