The University of Arkansas School of Art is now accepting applications for its graduate programs for the 2026–2027 academic year. Located within the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the school offers tuition-free programs in art education, art history, graphic design, and studio art. Students accepted into these programs are provided with various forms of financial support, including graduate assistantships, fellowships, and research and travel grants. Informational sessions for each program can be found on the school’s YouTube page.
Thanks to a generous gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation in 2017, the University of Arkansas School of Art has been able to expand its graduate program offerings with unprecedented levels of financial support. This has led to the introduction of the two-year MA in art education and M.Des. graduate programs in 2022, as well as the MA in art history program in 2023.
The MA in Art Education program is designed for students looking to deepen their knowledge of theory and practice in art education. It aims to train art educators to be culturally responsive and utilize interdisciplinary, collaborative teaching and research methods to address current and future challenges.
On the other hand, the M.Des. in Graphic Design program focuses on communication and participatory design, preparing students for a field that engages communities in participatory processes to create equitable and sustainable design solutions.
The MA in Art History program, launched last spring, celebrates its first cohort’s graduation in partnership with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Specializing in the study of the arts of the Americas, this program offers students a unique curriculum that includes hands-on learning with art objects, travel opportunities, and internship experiences to prepare graduates for careers in the arts.
These graduate programs complement the existing Studio Art MFA program, offering a three-year, in-residence program that supports various approaches to art making, coupled with theoretical inquiry, research, and social awareness.
To learn more about these programs and to apply, visit art.uark.edu.
