Memphis College of Art

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Memphis College of Art is dedicated to teaching the practice, history, and appreciation of visual art and design while challenging all students to reach their highest individual potential. We prepare graduates to succeed in their careers and change the world through their creativity. A 10-to-1 student/faculty ratio ensures an abundance of personal interaction with professors, providing hands-on instruction and guidance, nurturing talent, and encouraging students to take creative risks to grow as artists. MCA's rigorous curriculum is integrated with Professional Practices, a unique program of classes and experiences that hone business and entrepreneurial skills.
Community Education classes for youth and adults are offered year-round, including a Summer Art Camp accredited by the American Camp Association for children and young artists of all ages. The College additionally offers free gallery exhibitions and artist lectures, which are open to the public throughout the year. Set in Overton Park—a lush 342-acre park in Midtown Memphis containing the Memphis Brooks Museum, Memphis Zoo, and Levitt Shell—MCA is a unique, generative environment where artists thrive. The College celebrated 80 years of operation in 2016 and is poised for many more years of doing artwork.
Memphis College of Art is dedicated to teaching the practice, history, and appreciation of visual art and design while challenging all students to reach their highest individual potential. We prepare graduates to succeed in their careers and change the world through their creativity.
One of Hollywood's most enduring and endearing movies is "It is a Wonderful Life," where George Bailey, the protagonist in Frank Capraís 1946 film, and the film's audience are given a backward tour of the harsh landscape that would have existed had George never been born. On the flip side, George and the audience are allowed to see the richness of his life, the big and small ways he impacted others' lives, the beauty that exists because he was indeed born.
A similar theme applies to MCA, which enriches the creative landscape, not only here in Memphis, but also in the other communities where MCA graduates have established professions. MCA students, faculty, and alumni manifest their talents in many ways to make the world a more prosperous and better place.
MCA is pleased to cultivate artistic talent and creative expression as an institution. The worldview and civility such an education imparts have never been more critical than it is now. We thank you for your interest in MCA and hope you will decide to become part of the MCA artists' thriving community who make a difference in this country and worldwide.
At the core of the College are its rigorous academic programs. Whether studying at the undergraduate or graduate level, each student is guided through the intellectual and technical aspects of art-making and discourse. To provide the best experience for learning, small classes (typical studio class size is 12–15) are prepared and offered by a faculty of artists and scholars, all dedicated to each student's personal growth and development.
Guide professional development and application experiences for students that promote independent learning and create career connections to increase meaningful employment and post-graduate opportunities.
Students are unique individuals who have various experiences, skills, and attributes to offer in their professional or personal endeavors. The Career Development staff works with students throughout their four years to focus on career opportunities and skill development significant to each student's needs and goals. Career Development has assembled the most critical resources for students to explore the many options available to artists easily and research those careers.
Career Development offers frequent workshops on the essential things you need to know to get your career plans jump-started. Most are just an hour long and held during lunch to fit perfectly into your active academic schedule.
Students learn and make their best decisions when they have relevant experiences and information that lets them see professionals up close and personal. Find out how to enhance your academic endeavors with essential experiences outside the classroom, like internships.
MCA is a place where creative challenges are met with curiosity and the capacity to solve design or aesthetic problems and innovate, collaborate, and support students along their paths to becoming professionals in art and design. Connect with our students and see how "We Make Art Work." MCACC is the students' job! Register with MCA Career Connections to submit applications for part-time, full-time, and freelance opportunities and register for the annual Career Fair.
All of our artists' lectures and exhibitions are free and open to the public. Many of the children attending our Saturday School and Summer Art Camp are awarded merit-based tuition scholarships. Individual staff and faculty members contribute their time and artwork to worthy community endeavors such as the annual public television art and antique auction. In a vital partnership with ArtsMemphis, MCA helps facilitate the Arts in the Schools program where practicing artists hold free workshops for students in the local public schools. The College offers a year-long Advanced Placement class for exceptionally gifted high school artists at no cost.

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