MFA in Experimental Choreography in Riverside United States | University of California, Riverside

UC Riverside's Master of Fine Arts in Experimental Choreography provides both emerging and seasoned artists with a space for deep exploration in dance creation, performance, and interdisciplinary physical practice. Across six quarters, participants take foundational composition classes alongside critical dance studies courses that tackle pressing contemporary issues in the field, emphasizing experimental and cross-disciplinary methods. Each term, students collaborate with faculty mentors—including four quarters dedicated to Graduate Critique Panels (GCP)—to refine their individual artistic processes and present work for constructive evaluation. In their second year, candidates must showcase their projects publicly during the MFA Fourth Quarter Showings (4QS), laying the groundwork for their culminating work and committee formation. The final project reflects an in-depth exploration and dedicated realization of research-driven inquiries, accompanied by a public artist presentation and a written analytical document.
What distinguishes UCR's M.F.A. program is its strong connection to the Ph.D. in Critical Dance Studies, a leading program for scholarly examination of dance's cultural, political, and historical dimensions. The synergy between these programs—both ideologically and through shared coursework—reinforces the department's view of artistic practice and academic study as mutually enriching pursuits. M.F.A. candidates also benefit from meaningful collaborations with undergraduates through teaching, production leadership, and community initiatives. Multiple campus and off-site venues, such as the Performance Lab, Studio Labs, and downtown's Culver Center of the Arts, support student research presentations.
Situated in Riverside, CA, the university connects to a vibrant network of environments spanning desert landscapes, mountain ranges, urban Los Angeles, and border regions. UC Riverside offers M.F.A. students an intellectually and artistically stimulating setting shaped by diverse economic and cultural viewpoints. Various on- and off-campus spaces, including the Performance Lab and Culver Center of the Arts, facilitate this creative dialogue.