Cincinnati,
OH,
United States
Type
Public
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree
MFA in Art in Cincinnati United States | University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
|
Cincinnati United States
Visit institution website
for more information
Qualification
Masters Degree
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
USD
24,966
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
24 months
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program in the School of Art is a rigorous two-year studio-based curriculum that embraces diverse contemporary art forms and research methodologies. Our faculty specialize in various disciplines, spanning traditional mediums like painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and ceramics to digital arts including photography, video, animation, and web-based creation. Additionally, many instructors bring expertise in conceptual art, performance, sound art, social practice, public art, and critical writing.
MFA candidates frequently leverage university-wide resources to cultivate interdisciplinary approaches, utilizing specialized equipment and knowledge across departments. The program's core objectives focus on fostering innovative studio practices tailored to each student's vision, establishing creative research methodologies, and refining both conceptual thinking and technical abilities. Students also gain valuable teaching experience and establish professional networks within the local and regional arts community.
Graduate students enjoy exceptional facilities featuring private workspaces in a dedicated building. The adjacent College of DAAP provides specialized studios for printmaking, ceramics, metalwork, sculpture, woodworking, digital fabrication (including CNC milling, 3D printing, and laser technologies), photography (both digital and traditional darkroom), electronic media, sound production, and painting.
The university's 1819 Innovation Hub features a cutting-edge Makerspace Microfactory equipped with industrial-grade 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, and waterjet systems. The Digital Futures complex offers specialized resources including motion capture technology, experimental media labs, research sensing facilities, and NFT development spaces. Multiple exhibition venues affiliated with the school and college regularly feature student, faculty, and visiting artist work, while many students engage with Cincinnati's vibrant gallery scene through exhibitions, curatorial projects, and internships.
Financial support options include scholarships, assistantships, travel awards, and research funding. The School of Art maintains a robust visiting artist series and offers supplementary coursework in critical theory, art history, museum studies, art education, public art initiatives, and professional development. Cincinnati's thriving arts ecosystem, including institutions like the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Wave Pool Gallery, provides abundant opportunities for student engagement and growth.
Destination of Study
Subjects of Study
Language Requirements
English
IELTS 6.5
Qualification Requirements
The admission confirmation fee is $500 and will be credited to your tuition bill when you register for classes in your first semester of attendance. The confirmation deadline is April 15th.
Unofficial transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended. Note: Official transcripts are not required during the admissions process, and only unofficial transcripts are required for the application. Applicants should not send official transcripts until they are admitted. See the full transcript policy on the Graduate Admissions webpage.
Resume or CV
3 letters of recommendation. Recommenders should be people familiar with your academic and professional abilities and not those with whom you have a personal or family connection. The recommenders you list in your online application will receive information via email about submitting their recommendation letter online. Please ask them to provide the following information:
who they are and their relationship to you
why they think you will succeed in the graduate Fine Arts program at the University of Cincinnati
the reservations, if any, they may have about your application
the potential they see for you to teach within our program, and in what capacity (foundations, 2D, 3D, photo, or new media)
Artist's Statement. Include a statement (up to 500 words) describing the long-term goal to be met by your graduate study. Include the following:
a general introduction to the work in your portfolio
how you would like to creatively develop in graduate school
your professional interests (e.g., exhibitions, teaching, writing, curating)
your media of choice
why you are interested in the Fine Arts program at the University of Cincinnati
the Fine Arts faculty youd like to work with and why. Please name at least two. Please view our faculty directory.
Portfolio: Your portfolio should contain 20 works as a single pdf file.
Which images to submit:
For digital media (animation, coding, digital imaging, game design, interactive, net.art, sound, video, or other new media art forms), submit a combination of 14 images as a pdf portfolio plus links to 3-6 online examples. Those online examples must comprise one file no longer than 10 minutes. Post your online examples to Vimeo or YouTube and provide the link in your pdf portfolio. Before submitting, test the links to make sure they are working.
For all other art media (ceramics, drawing, fibers, installation, painting, photography, sculpture, etc.), submit your 20 works as one pdf portfolio.
How to size your images:
Your images should be no more than 3 MB each, at 96 ppi
To downsize your images to less than 3 MB/96 ppi, make your images 96 ppi and no more than 1500 pixels on the shorter side.
Convert these resized images into a single pdf by first assembling them into one document using PowerPoint, Keynote, or MSWord and then exporting the file.
Powerpointexport to pdf
Keynoteexport to pdf
MSWordprint'save as pdf
How to label your images:
Label your images in the pdf with the title, date, materials, and dimensions
In a separate pdf provide a list of your images with title, date, materials, and dimensions and a brief statement about each work.
If you have a website for your studio practice provide the URL in your image list and at the start of the pdf portfolio
Only work in which the applicant has played a major role in the project should be submitted. With collaborative work, include an explanation of your role in making the piece.
The following exams and minimum scores are accepted as proof of English proficiency -
TOEFL minimum score of 80 iBT
In-person and at-home online exam scores accepted TOEFL Essentials and My Best Test scores are not accepted.
IELTS minimum score of 6.5 overall band.
In-person and at-home online exam scores accepted.
PTE minimum score of 54.
Unofficial transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended. Note: Official transcripts are not required during the admissions process, and only unofficial transcripts are required for the application. Applicants should not send official transcripts until they are admitted. See the full transcript policy on the Graduate Admissions webpage.
Resume or CV
3 letters of recommendation. Recommenders should be people familiar with your academic and professional abilities and not those with whom you have a personal or family connection. The recommenders you list in your online application will receive information via email about submitting their recommendation letter online. Please ask them to provide the following information:
who they are and their relationship to you
why they think you will succeed in the graduate Fine Arts program at the University of Cincinnati
the reservations, if any, they may have about your application
the potential they see for you to teach within our program, and in what capacity (foundations, 2D, 3D, photo, or new media)
Artist's Statement. Include a statement (up to 500 words) describing the long-term goal to be met by your graduate study. Include the following:
a general introduction to the work in your portfolio
how you would like to creatively develop in graduate school
your professional interests (e.g., exhibitions, teaching, writing, curating)
your media of choice
why you are interested in the Fine Arts program at the University of Cincinnati
the Fine Arts faculty youd like to work with and why. Please name at least two. Please view our faculty directory.
Portfolio: Your portfolio should contain 20 works as a single pdf file.
Which images to submit:
For digital media (animation, coding, digital imaging, game design, interactive, net.art, sound, video, or other new media art forms), submit a combination of 14 images as a pdf portfolio plus links to 3-6 online examples. Those online examples must comprise one file no longer than 10 minutes. Post your online examples to Vimeo or YouTube and provide the link in your pdf portfolio. Before submitting, test the links to make sure they are working.
For all other art media (ceramics, drawing, fibers, installation, painting, photography, sculpture, etc.), submit your 20 works as one pdf portfolio.
How to size your images:
Your images should be no more than 3 MB each, at 96 ppi
To downsize your images to less than 3 MB/96 ppi, make your images 96 ppi and no more than 1500 pixels on the shorter side.
Convert these resized images into a single pdf by first assembling them into one document using PowerPoint, Keynote, or MSWord and then exporting the file.
Powerpointexport to pdf
Keynoteexport to pdf
MSWordprint'save as pdf
How to label your images:
Label your images in the pdf with the title, date, materials, and dimensions
In a separate pdf provide a list of your images with title, date, materials, and dimensions and a brief statement about each work.
If you have a website for your studio practice provide the URL in your image list and at the start of the pdf portfolio
Only work in which the applicant has played a major role in the project should be submitted. With collaborative work, include an explanation of your role in making the piece.
The following exams and minimum scores are accepted as proof of English proficiency -
TOEFL minimum score of 80 iBT
In-person and at-home online exam scores accepted TOEFL Essentials and My Best Test scores are not accepted.
IELTS minimum score of 6.5 overall band.
In-person and at-home online exam scores accepted.
PTE minimum score of 54.
Tuition
USD
24,966