The University of Arkansas School of Art is a vibrant community of artists, designers, educators, and historians transforming the arts in Arkansas and beyond. At the School of Art, we are committed to ensuring a welcoming and inclusive climate aimed at fostering collaboration, community, and open diaglogue, while embraching the background, identities, and perspectives of all students, faculty, and staff.
The School of Art is seeking artists, designers, and educators with diverse backgrounds and experience to learn more and apply to the Master of Arts in Art Education, Master of Design, and Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art graduate programs.
All students accepted into the graduate programs at the University of Arkansas School of Art will receive funding support during their years of study.
Master of Arts in Art Education
The Master of Arts degree program is a two-year residency and seeks to attract artist educators, teaching artists and museum educators working in schools, museums and the community.
This research-oriented program will emphasize theoretical studies and research inquiries in art education. It will provide an in-depth study into the diverse practice of art education and provoke critical thinking in how art education is taught.
Because of its commitment to theories and practices of art learning and teaching across a range of educational sites, the program will provide educational opportunities for both experienced art educators and those who are interested in the study and practice of art education but may not yet have established an extensive and lengthy teaching record.
The program is designed to prepare students as culturally responsive art educators who are dedicated to developing interdisciplinary and collaborative teaching and research approaches and practices that address issues in the field of art education.
Learn more click here and apply online here.
Master of Design
The Master of Design program focused in the area of communication design will prepare students to build a better world through design that strengthens their community. The program will accept students with diverse educational and professional experience, offering three-year and two-year degree plan options.
Through applied and speculative studio-based work, students will learn how emerging roles in the field can play in involving communities in participatory design processes that generate equitable and sustainable solutions to design problems.
The curriculum also addresses a research-led professional context increasingly defined by information, product and service ecologies in which digital technologies are primary means of delivery and venues for citizen and consumer experiences.
Learn more and meet graphic design faculty at an information session January 18, to register for the session visit here and apply online here.
Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art
The Studio Art Master of Fine Arts is an accredited, three-year, 60 credit-hour, in-residence studio program that combines contemporary critical engagement with technical proficiency.
Students enter the program through one of six media areas (ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking or sculpture) and work closely with faculty and graduate students from those areas while in the program. Though it is expected students have a strong background in their chosen medium, they are encouraged to work across disciplines and across media. The curriculum is designed to support a variety of approaches to art making, coupled with rigorous theoretical inquiry, research, and social awareness.
Propelled by transformational gifts received from the Walton Family Support Foundation and Windgate Charitable Foundation, there are ample opportunities for MFA graduate-specific travel and research grants, assistantships and fellowships, and established partnerships with artist residencies and craft centers nationally. Furthermore, the School of Art will soon open a new 145,000 square foot studio art complex to house MFA studios, art and design classrooms and studios, shared-use labs, and galleries.
