The Department of Art and Design, endowed as the Hite Institute of Art and Design, offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Art and Design with a 60 credit hour curriculum, structured according to guidelines established by the College Art Association of America (CAA), that is professionally compliant with rigorous evaluation standards, quality and variety of courses, and a faculty mentoring structure that will ensure students accomplish the program objectives and graduate prepared to function effectively and meaningfully in a multicultural and global economy.
The program is selective to allow students generous access to faculty who will give them individual attention, respect their direction, and challenge them to explore new avenues of artistic discovery. Courses are offered in ceramics, drawing, fibers, glass, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, and new media, and, under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students may choose to focus in one medium or to explore and combine a variety of media. The program also encourages a multidisciplinary approach that challenges students to develop their creative practice in relation to cultural, social, philosophical, and ethical concerns while providing a broad perspective on art and social roles.
Students in the program benefit from the Hite Institute's substantial resources, including multiple galleries on campus and in downtown Louisville, partnerships with local art museums and galleries, and an active speaker and colloquia schedule featuring internationally recognized artists, prominent curators, and gallery directors. Students will interact with the wider arts community by participating in the university's collaboration with local and regional museums and cultural institutions. Joint projects and internship programs with these organizations strengthen ties between the university and the community and give students unique opportunities to participate in civic life.
All MFA students receive a scholarship or a teaching assistantship.
