University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The programme combines sustained studio practice with critical inquiry and professional development. Core components typically include studio seminars, individual critiques, research methods, contemporary theory in visual culture, and a sequence of courses supporting the development of a major art project. Students work in a range of media depending on their focus—painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, new media and installation are all supported.

• Studio practice and critiques – regular one-to-one mentoring and group critiques to develop a coherent body of work.
• Theory and context – seminars in contemporary art theory, aesthetics, and critical writing that situate practice within wider discourses, including Pacific and Asian art histories.
• Professional practice – courses and workshops on exhibition design, curating, grant writing, documentation, and portfolio development.
• Research and thesis – an independent research project that culminates in a written component and a public MFA exhibition or equivalent final presentation.
• Technical specialties – access to dedicated facilities for ceramics, sculpture fabrication, printmaking, analogue and digital photography, and digital media production.

The degree is structured so that the first year typically emphasises coursework and foundational seminars while subsequent years concentrate on sustained studio development, research, teaching practice and the preparation of the final thesis exhibition.

Entry requirements

Applicants are usually expected to hold a bachelor's degree in fine art or a related field, or to demonstrate equivalent practical experience. Admissions decisions are based on a combination of portfolio review, academic transcripts, a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation.

• Portfolio – a curated selection of recent work showing technical skill, conceptual development and potential for graduate-level practice.
• Statement of purpose – an explanation of research interests, artistic goals and how the programme will support them.
• References – academic or professional letters that speak to the applicant’s creative ability and capacity for graduate study.
• Academic transcripts – undergraduate degree documentation or equivalent evidence of prior learning.
• English proficiency – required for applicants whose first language is not English; acceptable tests and minimum scores follow university policy.

Specific departmental requirements and any portfolio guidelines are provided by the Department of Art and Art History; prospective applicants should consult the department for detailed submission instructions. Financial support through assistantships or fellowships is competitive and often requires a separate application or faculty nomination.

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme pursue a wide range of careers that draw on advanced studio skills, critical thinking and professional experience. Typical paths include:

• Professional artist – exhibiting in galleries, museums and public art projects, or working as an independent studio practitioner.
• Teaching – positions in art education at community colleges, art schools and K–12 settings; the MFA is widely recognised as the terminal degree for studio teaching in many institutions.
• Museums and galleries – curatorial, collections, education and exhibition roles within museums, galleries and cultural organisations.
• Arts administration and community arts – project management, public programming, residencies and community-engaged arts initiatives.
• Creative industries – roles in design, media production, and visual communications where advanced studio practice and conceptual skills are valued.

Artists may also combine practice with freelancing, residencies, grant-funded projects and collaborative initiatives across the Asia–Pacific region.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

The Department of Art and Art History at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers a distinctive environment shaped by its location at the crossroads of the Pacific. The programme emphasises engagement with Pacific and Asian artistic traditions as well as global contemporary practice, providing opportunities for research that draws on Indigenous, diasporic and transnational perspectives.

• Specialised facilities – studios and technical workshops supporting ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, photography and digital media.
• Regional and institutional partnerships – collaborative links with local museums, cultural organisations and community programmes that support exhibition, research and public engagement opportunities.
• Faculty expertise – a faculty whose research and practice spans studio production, critical theory and Pacific-focused scholarship, augmented by visiting artists and critics.
• Creative community – a diverse student body and a culturally rich setting that encourages experimentation, site-responsive work and community engagement.

Students benefit from the university’s broader arts resources and the chance to develop work that responds to the unique cultural and ecological contexts of Hawaiʻi while preparing for careers in an international art world.