MFA in Studio Art, MA in Art History, & MA in Art Education

The Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design, of the College of the Arts at Georgia State University, features an internationally active faculty and a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for professional careers in art and design. The program fosters critical thinking and dynamic artistic production within an interdisciplinary environment. The school offers an MA in Art History, MA in Art Education, MAT and MAEd in Art Education, and an MFA in Studio Art with concentrations in Ceramics, Drawing and Painting, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Textiles.

–MFA degree that is NASAD accredited
–All MFA students receive full tuition waivers and monthly stipends as part of assistantships and numerous MA/MAEd research assistantships are granted with equal benefits
–Graduate assistantships are available for students in the MFA Studio programs, MA in Art History, and MAEd programs. 
–Eligible for competitive fellowships including the premium Welch Fellowships. The fellowships fund students for the entire three years of study, in addition to the student’s regular stipend and full tuition waiver.

Welch visiting artist and scholar lecture series 
The year-round calendar of lectures provides students with access to a diverse mix of renowned artists and scholars encouraging artistic discourse, and leading studio critiques and workshops. 

Third year opportunities 
As a signature, professional experience, third year MFA candidates are exposed to international art fairs, given the opportunity to travel, and exhibit. Last year, students exhibited at Aqua Art Miami during Basel week. This year, third year MFAs attended a two-week summer artist residency in Burren, Ireland, fully funded. Other students have had the opportunity to go to Europe for the Venice Bienniale, Documenta 14, and the Münster Skulptur Projekte and the Art & Education program hosts a recurring summer semester in China.These unique opportunities yield career-building experience from curator and collector networking, to professional practice, and offer experiences from focused art making and exposure to the greater, international, contemporary art scene.

Partnerships, conferences, and community events
In the past few years, the school has partnered with influential art organizations such as the Mid-South Sculpture Alliance, the Southern Graphics Council International Conference, BURNAWAY, Art Papers, CENCIA, Atlanta Celebrates Photography, the Temporary Art Center, and the High Museum of Art. Each semester the school also hosts a  large, multi-disciplinary MFA Open Studio party that highlights the graduate work and program during which the local art community can engage the spaces and learn more about the MFAs’ practices. 

Thesis exhibitions and art venues
The Welch Galleries support the curriculum by curating regional, national, and international art exhibitions throughout the year, while providing a venue for thesis exhibitions. The galleries host presentations and panel discussions, providing students with personal access to professional artists and scholars.

Urban location
Georgia State University is located in downtown Atlanta within a diverse and vibrant urban setting. The campus is in proximity to prestigious art institutions such as the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Contemporary, MOCA GA, and a solid network of commercial galleries, alternative spaces, and grassroots artist organizations. Alumni, faculty, and students are very involved in the expanding and ever-evolving scene of the international hub, having founded a number of artist-run organizations, nonprofits, and creative publications.

24-hour access & studio spaces
MFA Studio majors are provided with 24-hour access to private & semi-private studio space, which allow for creative exploration and research in their area of study. Our Welch facilities and resources include the Creative Media Center for renting technology; the Edgewood Sculpture Studio, complete with a metal shop, wood shop, laser cutters, and a foundry; and the Visual Resource Center, which is one of only eleven institutions worldwide that houses the Skowhegan Lecture Archive. Students also have access to resources at the Creative Media Industry Institute and the makers space, EXLAB.

Nationally notable alumni
Christie Blizzard, Bethany Collins, Susannah Darrow, Chris Hood, Yanique Norman, Krista Clark, Paul Stephen Benjamin, and Wassan Al-Khudhairi

Acclaimed faculty 
Darien Arikoski-Johnson, Jeffrey Boortz, Kimberly Cleveland, Ryan Crooks, Melanie Davenport, Craig Dongoski, Craig Drennen, Tim Flowers, Jill Frank, Ralph Gilbert, Maria Gindhart, Glenn Gunhouse, Ryan Rasmussen, Jeremy Bolen, Grace Harpster, Dawn Haynie, Kevin Hsieh, Jess Jones, Pam Longobardi, Jennifer Siegler, Joseph Peragine, Serena Perrone, Susan Richmond, Jason Snape, Ruth Stanford, Christina West, and Michael White

For information and to apply
Please visit artdesign.gsu.edu or contact Graduate Coordinator, Wesley Harvey: T 404 413 5256, wharvey [​at​] gsu.edu