Future Student
Shape your future here.
At the School of Art and Design you can make and achieve anything. We are a community committed to each individual’s success, because we thrive on the energy and excitement that students bring to the classroom and look for new ways to stretch and grow as creative scholars. Here you will have the platform for launching the creative future you design, supported by committed faculty, dedicated staff, and outstanding resources.
As part of our community you will gain knowledge and technical skills necessary to succeed art and design, learn to think critically, solve problems, and understand your ability to influence the changing world using a diverse and every-expanding creative tool box. You will work side-by-side with world class faculty, engaged peers, and renown scholars who are committed to the territory of art and design on the pathway that you chart. You will have unique experiences through relationships with the local and regional community across a variety of events, shows, lectures, and projects that will prepare you to both shape and succeed in the future you envision. Come join us!
Plan a Visit
The best way to determine if the School of Art and Design is right for you is to come visit our community. From our extensive facilities in Jenkins Fine Arts Center, to our engaged faculty, and supportive staff, we will welcome you and show you all that our School has to offer! Schedule a visit with us to get a tour focused on art and design.
Virtual Open House
Undergraduate Programs
Undergraduate Incoming Students Orientation
The BFA in Art is an umbrella degree that allows you to explore the School’s broad variety of disciplines, while focusing on an area of emphasis:
- animation/interactive design
- ceramics
- film and video production
- graphic design
- illustration
- metal design
- painting
- photography
- printmaking
- sculpture
- textile design
The BFA in Art Education prepares future K-12 arts educators by combining instruction in art and art history with professional educator training. In the BFA in Art Education program you get to explore the School’s many disciplines and develop your skills as a arts educator through hands-on learning experiences.
Graduate Programs
The MFA in Art is the professional terminal degree in studio art that prepares you for advanced practice in studio art as well as teaching in higher education. The MFA is interdisciplinary, where students build and expand upon existing knowledge alongside exploring, working, and making across a broad array of disciplines, tools, and technologies. Students can select coursework in art history, ceramics, glass, graphic design, metal design, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, textile design, and other areas to support their educational goals.
MFA students work independently in dedicated studios, with the guidance of faculty mentors as well as studio visits from a range of faculty. Group critique coursework is the core of the curriculum where first- and second-year students share work, engage in lively discussion, and address challenging topics in the visual arts. The curriculum includes a sequence of graduate seminars focused on practice and research in visual art, career pathways and professional skills, thesis preparation and writing, and art and design pedagogy. The program culminates in a solo thesis exhibition exhibited on campus or in the community.
Living Learning Community
For incoming undergraduate students, we offer a living learning community (LLC) housed directly next to Jenkins Fine Arts Center in Garrett residence hall. As a member of the community you will room with another art and design major, attend special programming focused on art and design, and instantly be part of a community of creative, passionate students and faculty. The Fall 2023 cohort will have an community arts focus! Come join the fun and be part of our LLC!