MFA Studio Art

The ASU School of Art’s highly ranked MFA program provides artists with both a formal and a conceptual foundation in contemporary art. Situated in the context of a public research university renowned for innovation, students work closely with our distinguished art faculty to develop the skills to produce culturally relevant work and sustain a lifelong creative practice. Students are encouraged to work across disciplines, and also select a focus from a range of media including animation, ceramics, intermedia, metals, painting and drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, and woods. 

In addition to our expansive curriculum, students benefit from our visiting artist and scholar lecture series, professionalization workshops, teaching opportunities and pedagogical training. Students also supplement their arts curriculum by taking advantage of the vast resources afforded by a “Research 1” university, engaging with world renowned researchers or taking courses in a variety of departments. The ASU Museum offers vital opportunities for students to learn from and connect with artists and curators. 

Graduate students are provided world class studio space at Grant Street Studios, located in the cultural hub of downtown Phoenix. This facility is also home to two galleries and enhanced resources including a common wood shop, printmaking presses, photography darkroom, ceramics kilns, computer lab and 3D print lab. Students also have access to the vibrant community of museums, galleries, businesses, and cultural organizations in Phoenix as well as in nearby Los Angeles, Santa Fe and Denver.

The MFA program culminates in a solo thesis exhibition in one of the School of Art’s galleries (Step Gallery, Northlight Gallery, Harry Wood Gallery). In addition to offering one of the most affordable MFA programs nationally, students benefit from various funding opportunities, including teaching assistantships as well as scholarships and awards supporting student travel and research. Current special initiatives in the School of Art, including the Global Art School Futures and Arizona Artists’ Oral History Project, add dynamic opportunities for the professionalization, collaboration, and immersive learning essential to being an artist in the 21st century.

Current Faculty: Julie Anand, Susan Beiner, Margarita Cabrera, Sam Chung, Liz Cohen, Dan Collins, Angela Ellsworth, Heather Green, Rogelio Gutierrez. Erika Hanson, Hilary Harp, Heidi Hogden, Meredith Hoy, Mary Hood, Adriene Jenik, Mark Klett, Christine Lee, Muriel Magenta, Kathryn Maxwell, Ellen Meissinger, Wanesia Misquadace, Mary Neubauer, Anthony Pessler, Gregory Sale, Henry Schoebel, Stephen Marc, Forrest Solis, Kurt Weiser, Jim White