The University of Missouri SVS Art Program offers an excellent faculty and the space, time, and support for students to push their work to its fullest potential. Many graduate students work in the nearly 8000 square feet of newly renovated studio space on campus. Located in Columbia, Missouri - halfway between two major cultural centers, Kansas City and St. Louis - our three-year MFA program gives developing artists the breathing room to create strong, competitive projects that engage a range of issues in the contemporary discourse.

All qualifying MFA students receive teaching or technician assistantships and full tuition waivers. These benefits, combined with our geographical location, help qualified candidates avoid a heavy student-loan burden. The cost of living in Columbia is uniquely affordable given its diverse and progressive cultural advantages. Columbia is home to three colleges, a dynamic live-music scene, numerous cafes and bars, the annual True/False documentary film festival. Additionally, students often take advantage of easy access to two major urban art centers and a network of riverside biking trails that stretches across the community and state.

For more information, contact Joe Pintz (pintzj@missouri.edu), Director of Graduate Studies.

Financial Aid

Teaching Assistantships
In exchange for a full-tuition waiver and stipend, MFA candidates work 0.5 FTE (two, 10 hour per week assistantship appointments each semester). Most GTAs typically serve as instructors of record in one of our foundations or introductory-level studio courses or as a teaching assistant in our large lecture class, Intro to Visual Studies. Our GRAs provide support to SVS as studio lab techs in several media areas or as a Gallery Assistant.

Scholarships
Scholarships are also available through the SVS Art Program: see Scholarships on our website.

Scholarships and fellowships are available through the Graduate School.