University of Memphis

What you'll study

The MFA in Studio Art is a studio-centred programme combining sustained practical work with critical study and professional development. Students concentrate in one or more studio areas such as painting/drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography/digital media, or interdisciplinary/new media practice.

• Studio Practice: Extended independent studio work under faculty supervision, regular critiques, and collaborative projects to develop a coherent body of work.
• Graduate Seminar and Art Theory: Seminars in contemporary art theory, research methods, and contextual studies that inform and challenge studio practice.
• Professional Practices: Workshops and modules on grant writing, exhibition planning, portfolio development, curating, and arts entrepreneurship.
• Technical Workshops: Advanced technical instruction in specialist facilities—print studios, ceramics workshops, foundry or metal shop, photography labs, and digital fabrication/digital media labs—depending on area of focus.
• Teaching Experience: Opportunities for teaching assistantships or pedagogy seminars for those considering academic careers.
• Thesis and Exhibition: The degree culminates in a written artist’s statement or thesis and a public final exhibition or installation that demonstrates the candidate’s artistic and conceptual development.

Entry requirements

Applicants are typically expected to hold a recognised undergraduate degree, often a Bachelor of Fine Arts or a related discipline. The programme admits students who demonstrate strong artistic potential and capacity for independent research and practice.

• Academic background: A bachelor’s degree in art or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Portfolio: A curated portfolio of recent work is required; quantity and format requirements are set by the department and should show technical skill and conceptual development.
• Statement of Purpose: A personal statement outlining artistic goals, research interests and reasons for pursuing the MFA.
• References: Academic or professional references attesting to the applicant’s readiness for graduate study.
• English language: International applicants must meet the university’s English proficiency requirements.
• Other considerations: Departmental interviews or visits may be part of the selection process; applicants with non-art undergraduate degrees are assessed on portfolio strength and potential for graduate-level studio work.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MFA in Studio Art pursue a range of professional pathways that combine creative practice with teaching, curation and arts leadership.

• Professional artist: Developing a career exhibiting and selling work through galleries, art fairs, public commissions and residencies.
• Teaching and academia: The MFA is a common qualification for studio teaching at community colleges, art schools and for those pursuing doctoral study or university-level teaching positions.
• Curatorial and museum work: Positions in galleries, museums and alternative exhibition spaces as curators, registrars or programme managers.
• Arts administration and entrepreneurship: Roles in arts organisations, cultural programming, community arts projects and running artist-led initiatives or studios.
• Related creative industries: Opportunities in design, digital media, public art, conservation (with additional training), and creative consultancy.

Why study at University of Memphis

The University of Memphis situates the MFA within a dynamic regional arts ecology. The programme offers access to well-equipped studios, technical workshops and faculty with active professional practices, providing mentorship alongside hands-on training.

• Resources and facilities: Dedicated studio spaces, specialised labs for ceramics, printmaking and digital media, and on-campus exhibition venues that support installation and show development.
• Memphis arts scene: Students benefit from proximity to a lively cultural landscape—galleries, artist-run spaces, museums and public art projects—which supports networking, exhibition opportunities and collaborative projects.
• Professional connections: Strong links with local museums, cultural organisations and community partners that create internship and exhibition possibilities.
• Support for emerging artists: Emphasis on professional practice, grant and proposal preparation, and opportunities to present work publicly through juried shows and visiting-artist programmes.

Taken together, the University of Memphis MFA in Studio Art aims to prepare artists for sustained creative careers by combining disciplined studio work, critical inquiry and engagement with the broader cultural sector.