Graduate Programs

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.

Apply Now

 

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. Graduate studios and sUgAR Gallery are located on Fayetteville’s downtown square and participate in Fayetteville’s enormously popular First Thursday events. Every semester, the M.F.A.’s present their work to the community in open studios. Graduate students are also actively involved in collaboration with local organizations and galleries including Fayetteville Art Ventures, Walker-Stone House, LaLaLand Gallery, Backspace Gallery, the Shed Gallery and Stage Eighteen.

Student Organizations

AGSA, the Association of Graduate Students in Art, is the organization specifically dedicated to the M.F.A.’s.  Its role is to provide an outlet to bring in visiting artists for the art community at the University of Arkansas School of Art and to create and engage a fruitful and diverse community through events and discussions about contemporary and historical art practices.

There are also registered student organizations for individual media areas.

Art in the Region

Art Ventures

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville

The Momentary, Bentonville

21C Museum Hotel, Bentonville

Walton Arts Center Gallery

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: About 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.

 

Quick Info

Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Art Education

Master of Arts in Art History

Master of Design 

Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art


Applications now open. Apply by Jan. 15

Apply Now


Schedule a Tour

Donna Jones, donnas@uark.edu Director of Recruitment and Outreach

Learn More

Jody Thompson, jtt005@uark.edu
Director of Graduate Studies


Contact Us
(479) 575-5202