The Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design, part 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 school’s NASAD-accredited programs include an MAT in Art Education and an MFA in Studio Art with concentrations in Ceramics, Drawing and Painting, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography & Expanded Media, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Textiles. These full-time degree programs encourage excellence through experimentation, cross-disciplinary pursuits, and critical analysis of existing ideas about art, pedagogy, and art history.
Tuition Waivers & Funding
We provide one of the most affordable art educations in the Southeastern United States. We are proud to offer a range of funding opportunities to our MFA candidates, with the majority of students receiving scholarships or full funding. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community of artists, and we work diligently to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder the pursuit of creative excellence. Students may also apply twice a year for extra internal grant funding for research, travel, and materials.
Location & Gallery
The downtown Atlanta location of our school encourages connections with local art institutions such as the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Contemporary, and MOCA GA, as well as a solid network of commercial galleries, alternative spaces, and grassroots organizations. Alumni, faculty, and students are integral to this expanding and ever-evolving arts hub, having founded a number of local artist-run organizations, nonprofits, and creative publications.
The Welch School Galleries support the curriculum by showcasing regional, national, and international art exhibitions throughout the year while providing students access to professional artists and scholars. Each MFA experience culminates with a solo exhibition in these galleries.
Welch Visiting Artist & Scholar Lecture Series
This year-round calendar of visiting art lectures provides students with intellectual access to a diverse group of acclaimed artists, art historians, educators, curators, and scholars. Our guests conduct on-campus talks about their art, research, and careers, adding to the pedagogical discourse of contemporary art in the classroom and studio.
Studios & Resources
MFA students have personal studio spaces and 24-hour access to discipline-specific studios. The school has its own woodshop, metal shop, iron furnace, and aluminum foundry; computer labs and audio/visual equipment rentals; exclusive access to the Skowhegan Lecture Archive; and a dedicated College of the Arts Librarian. Students also have access to the Georgia State Maker Space and the Creative Media Industries Institute, featuring VR capabilities, green screen rooms, and other digital technologies for interdisciplinary work.
Third-Year Opportunities
As a signature professional experience, third-year graduates are exposed to international art fairs and conferences, given the opportunity to travel and exhibit in major cities, and visit research-specific destinations.
The deadline to apply is February 1, 2025.
For more information, visit artdesign.gsu.edu or contact the graduate art office at artgrad@gsu.edu.
