The University of Louisville offers an exceptional opportunity for students pursuing an MFA in Studio Art and Design. With generous scholarships, access to top-notch facilities, renowned faculty members, and private studios, students have the support they need to grow as artists in a vibrant and creative community.
The MFA program is a rigorous 60-credit program that allows students to explore interdisciplinary practices or focus on a specific medium such as ceramics, drawing, glass, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, design, new media, or installation. The program is housed in a newly renovated warehouse in the art district of Portland in Louisville, Kentucky, providing state-of-the-art studios, lab spaces, a seminar room, and a gallery dedicated solely to the MFA program.
In addition to the MFA program, the Hite Institute also offers a 31-credit-hour MA in Art History or Curatorial Studies. Students can choose to concentrate in Art History or Curatorial Studies, which combines critical theory, contemporary art, and exhibition history with practical experience to prepare graduates for careers in contemporary exhibition development and art writing.
Established in 1946, the Department of Art + Design at the University of Louisville has a long history of producing world-renowned artists and designers. The faculty consists of professional artists, scholars, and designers who promote a multidisciplinary approach to challenge students to enhance their technical skills while engaging with social and critical issues.
The graduate program is selective, with small cohorts for both MFA and MA students to ensure individualized attention and support for creative work, research, and travel opportunities. Students benefit from the institute’s resources, including six galleries, award-winning facilities for glass and additive manufacturing, partnerships with local art museums and galleries, a strong alumni network, and a speaker series featuring internationally recognized artists, curators, and gallery directors.
In addition to guaranteed scholarships, graduate students may also be eligible for awards, internships, and teaching assistantships that support the program and foster collaborations with local and regional museums and cultural institutions.
Applications for admission for the Fall 2026 semester are due by February 15, 2026. To learn more about the MFA in Studio Art and Design program at the University of Louisville, visit art.louisville.edu.
