The University of Arkansas School of Art, located within the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, offers a unique opportunity for artists through its Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Art program. Accepted students are granted three tuition-waived years to focus on developing their artistic practice in a community that values experimentation, critical inquiry, and collaboration.
Each student in the program receives a full tuition waiver for fall and spring semesters, along with an annual stipend and additional funding to cover fees, through a graduate assistantship. These assistantships provide valuable professional experience in various areas such as teaching, gallery management, curatorial work, and program coordination, preparing students for the diverse aspects of the art world.
MFA candidates have access to state-of-the-art facilities in the Windgate Art and Design District, including wood and metal shops, darkrooms, print and ceramics studios, fabrication labs, and on-campus galleries. Students work within a core area such as ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture and experimental media, with the opportunity to explore across disciplines.
The program’s graduate faculty encourages an interdisciplinary approach to artmaking in the 21st century, fostering collaboration and experimentation. The School of Art maintains a dual emphasis on both historic and technologically advanced techniques, reflecting the region’s history of artisanal skill and its growing creative and tech industries.
Partnerships with institutions like Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Momentary, and Art Bridges, as well as local galleries and artist-run spaces, provide students with direct connections to the art ecosystem. These partnerships offer unique opportunities for collaboration, exhibition, and professional development.
Support from foundations like the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation and the Windgate Foundation funds travel grants, summer assistantships, and research fellowships, enhancing the program’s resources and opportunities for students.
The MFA in Studio Art program aims to give artists the time, resources, and critical dialogue they need to push their work to new heights. By providing robust support and resources, students are encouraged to take risks in their practice, preparing them to make innovative contributions to the field of art.
Applications to the program require a portfolio of recent works, artist and personal statements, a CV, transcripts, and letters of recommendation submitted via SlideRoom. The application deadline for the upcoming academic year is January 15, 2026.
For more information about the MFA in Studio Art program at the University of Arkansas School of Art, visit art.uark.edu or contact graduate program director Jody Travis Thompson at jtt005@uark.edu.
