The School of Art offers graduate programs in Art Education, Graphic Design, and Studio Art, and is launching the new Master of Arts in Art History program. All programs offer graduate students financial support throughout their years of study, access to world-class resources and facilities, and internationally and nationally renowned faculty.
Overview
Graduate programs are expanding at the University of Arkansas School of Art.
Thanks to a generous gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation in 2017, all graduate students accepted into School of Art graduate programs will receive funding support during their years study.
Art Education is offering a Master of Arts degree, the first graduate-level art education program in Arkansas. The program will be accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year in the fall.
Graphic Design is offering a Master of Design degree with a focus on graphic design and communication design. The program will be accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year in the fall.
Art History is offering a Master of Arts in Art History, specializing in the arts of Americas, in partnership with Crystal Bridges. The program will be accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year in the fall.
The established Studio Art Master of Fine Arts degree program continus to thrive and will be accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year in the fall.
Applications for all graduate programs are now open. Apply by Jan. 15.
Visit Campus
Graduate students are encouraged to visit the school firsthand or to speak with the faculty about their interest in the program before applying. Graduate students can also schedule tours through the office of admissions.
To learn more about the School of Art graduate programs and/or set up a tour of the School of Art, please contact Jody Thompson, jtt005@uark.edu , Director of Graduate Studies or Donna Jones donnas@uark.edu, Director of Recruitment and Outreach.
The School of Art hosts an active Visiting Artists and Scholars Lecture Series, with a distinguished guest virtually every week during the regular spring and fall semesters. Visitors during the last five years include:
Ward Andrews
Radcliffe Bailey
Brett Baker
Taylor Baldwin
Ed Bernstein
Katherine Bradford
Andy Brayman
David Brooks
Diane Burko
Kendell Carter
Enrique Martinez Celaya
Michael Ray Charles
Nicole Cherubini
Uchay Joel Chima
Petah Coyne
Lesley Dill
Mark Dion
Craig Drennen
Leonardo Drew
Terry Evans
Daniel Feinberg
Leslie Friedman
Adam Frelin
Chie Fueki
Dr. Elizabeth Garber
Trenton Doyle Hancock
Adriane Herman
Scott Hilton
Lauren Kalman
Nina Katchadorian
Mary Reid Kelley
Amos Kennedy
Peter Kruty
Susan Lichtman
Dr. Adam Larner
Dr. Peju Layiwola
Kristin Lucas
Margaret Meehan
Joseph D’Uva
Thomas Lyon Mills
Kristin Morgin
Osamu James Nakagawa
Yoonmi Nam
Kenda North
Corey Oberlander
Dr. Vibeke Olson
Dennis O’Neill
Dr. Andrea Pearson
Sara Greenberger Rafferty
Mariah Robertson
Dr. Kate Rudy
Eric Sall
Paula Scher
Claire Sherman
Dr. Patricia Simons
Dr. Jenni Sorkin
Dr. Peg Spears
Jennifer Steinkamp
Jessica Stockholder
Dr. Mary Stockrocki
Jason Stopa
Mary Temple
Whiting Tennis
Hank Willis Thomas
Alex Webb
Dr. Jason Weems
Jill Wissmiller
Amanda Wojick
Jason Yi
Dr. Bernard Young
Molly Zuckerman-Hartung
Community
We are fortunate to be in partnership with the world-class Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The School of Art has a close cooperative relationship with CBMAA, with numerous opportunities for student interaction.
Being immersed in the Northwest Arkansas community is important to our mission as a School of Art. Student-run sUgAR Gallery is located on Fayetteville’s downtown square and participates in Fayetteville’s enormously popular First Thursday events. Every semester, the M.F.A. students present their work to the community in public exhibitions. Graduate students are also actively involved in collaboration with local organizations and galleries including Fayetteville Art Ventures, Community Creative Center, Fenix Arts Gallery, Joy Pratt Markham Gallery at the Walton Arts Center, Pond Gallery, and MIXD Gallery.
Student Organizations
The University of Arkansas School of Art has several art-focused registered student organizations that help enrich campus culture. These organizations typically host workshops, exhibitions, and events throughout the academic year to promote artistic expression and build community among creative students. You can learn more about each RSO on our program area pages.
Art in the Region
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange (CACHE) and The Medium
Why Bentonville Arkansas is America's Next Great Art Destination
Hyperallergic: America’s Newest Art Pilgrimage, Bentonville, Arkansas
Ozarks
Located in the beautiful Arkansas Ozarks, Fayetteville frequently receives accolades as one of America’s best places to live, by such publications as Forbes, Kiplingers and Business Week. The area is home to an active local arts community, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and 21C Museum, and continues to grow as a destination for art and a hub for artists.
For more information visit: Experience Fayetteville
Fayetteville has an extensive trail network for walking and biking that links the center of town with parks, shopping, and the regional trail network, the Razorback Greenway, which extends all the way to Bentonville and beyond. If you like outdoor recreation, the Ozarks are a hub for activities such as hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, and fishing.