Bezalel Academy provides high-quality, practice based, advanced studies in Fine Art. Within this framework the program offers a platform for selected students to achieve the highest possible standards in order to function as professional artists. 
The program pursues the integration of practice and theory as a fundamental principle of contemporary art education. Through a synthesis of individual specialisms and collective concerns the program enables a significantly more advanced understanding of contemporary fine art practice than is possible at the undergraduate level.

The M.F.A program offers outstanding art students a supportive and challenging environment where they are able to acquire the confidence, maturity and skills necessary to function successfully in the contemporary art scene. The program is committed to the development of new knowledge through student initiated, practice based, research projects which are developed within a research community of artists and academics of international standing.  Making, viewing and critically evaluating art are central to the program and are viewed as crucial aspects in the development of informed and innovative practitioners who will make significant contributions in this field.

The M.F.A program establishes academic and artistic contacts with counterpart institutions in Europe and the U.S.A and hosts leading visiting artists, critiques, curators and distinguished scholars. Moreover, the program initiates projects, seminars, workshops and exhibitions in collaboration with leading international schools; thus exposing the participants to the international discourse and practice of art.

Syllabus

The duration of the program is four semesters. Each student/participant is viewed as a unique axis, around which the principal components of the program revolve: individual studio work, tutoring, group studio discussions and critiques, exhibitions, theoretical studies, meetings with artists and lecturers, and a final show. The program is structured around a basic academic framework and a permanent teaching team, but strives towards maximum flexibility in order to accommodate itself to the dynamics of the group and the personal needs of each participant.

Program Components

Independent Studio Practice

The studio work is the program's principal frame of reference. The students work in the program's studio spaces.  The basic premise is that each participant in the program is capable of developing his/her own agenda and creative course independently.

Studio Tutorials

Each participant chooses a personal tutor to accompany his/ her independent work. Ongoing dialogue and guidance is offered on a personal level, and takes place in accordance with a work program that has been agreed upon. Personal tutors are selected from the MFA faculty staff.

Studio Seminar – Group Critique

Studio Seminar - Group Critiques are part of the more extensive framework of critical dialogue enabling students to articulate at high level of confidence in the discussion of their own work and that of their peers; Special emphasis is placed on the examination of the personal work process and the broader context of the contemporary experience.

Multidisciplinary Seminar

This seminar focuses on the questions of Art and Theory relations, as manifested in visual art theories and associated fields: philosophy, literature, cinema, architecture, design and other disciplines. In this framework, guest lecturers are invited to hold lecture series in the various fields.

Theoretical Studies

The theoretical studies are an integral part of the program and will be held at the Bezalel Campus on Mount Scopus, Jerusalem at the Department of History and Theory.

Exhibitions

Each participant presents his works at exhibitions during the course of the studies, including a final show/exhibition.  These exhibitions serve to critically evaluate the student art works; they are discussed by panels compiled of faculty and students.

Visiting Artists and Guest Lecturers

The program regularly invites a wide range of visiting curators and theoreticians from Israel and abroad to share their experience and vision with students and supplement the expertise of the faculty. Some of these guests have become an 'integral' part of the staff and conduct seminars once or twice a year which fosters an ongoing collaboration with the art community. 
In addition to guests invited by the program (see list below), efforts are made to respond to initiatives on the part of the program participants and to coordinate visits of guests chosen by the students.