Master of Fine Arts in Art
Application Deadline February 1st
Application Fees Waived for Fall 2023
Graduate School
About the Program
Whether you are a student looking for the next level of creative study or a working artist, attending graduate school is an act of self-investment. Our program is a 60 credit 3-year Masters of Fine Art in studio art that offers the freedom for both specialization and interdisciplinary experimentation. Supported by excellent faculty and facilities in Ceramics, Sculpture, Photography, Printmaking + Book Arts, Painting/Drawing and Design, our MFA is designed to encourage independent research and creative risk-taking.
Students are provided with private or semi-private studios and 24/7 year-round access.
Our small program size of 12 - 15 graduates offers a high faculty to student ratio
and individualized attention with visiting artists, lecturers and critics. Graduate
Assistantships are awarded to each student, travel and workshop funding is available,
and our curriculum provides an opportunity for students to teach as an Instructor
of Record in a range of discipline-specific studio classes.
We are a 682-acre mountain campus located in Cullowhee, NC, 50 miles west of Asheville,
and situated within the ancestral homelands of the Cherokee people, 20 miles from present-day Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian communities of the Qualla
Boundary. Our piece of Central Appalachia is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.
For more information, please contact:
Tom Ashcraft, MFA Director, tdashcraft@wcu.edu or 828.227.7210
Highlights
- Inter-disciplinary + Traditional Study
- Studio Space with 24-hour Access
- Assistantships and Financial Aid
- National Visiting Artist Program
- Well-Equipped Facilities
- Beautiful Location
Visiting Artist Program
Recent visiting artists have included:
Ann Hamilton
Mark Mothersbaugh
Trenton Doyle Hancock
Clare Twomey
Kevin Snipes
Selena Kimball
Conor McGrady
Lee Walton
Chakaia Booker
Raven Chacon
Georgia Deal
Michael "BirdCap" Roy
Lucian Perkins
Hoss Haley
Del Harrow
Beverly McIver
Program Overview
Cullowhee - WCU Main Campus
Full-Time, Residential
12 Candidate Cohort
3-year, 60-credits
App Deadline: February 1st
National Visiting Artist Program
Virtual Open House
Tuesday, August 8: 5-6pm
Join us at one of our upcoming virtual Graduate School Open House events on Zoom! You'll have the opportunity to learn more about Western Carolina University, understand the Graduate School application process, and meet key program representatives.
Visit / Contact
Applicants may arrange to visit the department for individual tours and any time during the academic year (September – May).
Please contact Tom Ashcraft, MFA Directortdashcraft@wcu.edu
School of Art and Design
828.227.7210