Program Overview

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Introduction to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's MFA Program

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville's MFA program is a nationally recognized, rigorous three-year studio experience designed for artists seeking to deepen their practice and build sustainable, impactful careers. Ranked 22nd in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, with Printmaking ranked 3rd among public universities, UT's School of Art provides exceptional opportunities for focused creative development and professional growth.

Program Overview

Graduate students choose UT for its strong combination of individualized mentorship, self-directed, cross-disciplinary exploration, and professional preparation. The program offers concentrations in:

• Sculpture
• Time-Based Art
• Ceramics
• Painting + Drawing
• Printmaking as well as a 12-credit certificate in Cinema Studies, featuring close mentorship with a faculty of renowned artists, scholars, and educators who are active on the national and international stage.

Curriculum and Goals

The curriculum encourages rigorous studio work while also supporting conceptual, material, and interdisciplinary experimentation. Students are encouraged to push the boundaries of their practice, explore new subjects and methods, and develop a resilient, dynamic approach to making and thinking. The three-year format allows time for deep research, technical growth, and sustained engagement with contemporary discourse.

Program Requirements and Milestones

Graduate students in our program will achieve these goals by meeting the milestones outlined in the UTK SOA Graduate Handbook, including:

• A public final exhibition, screening, or performance reflecting the culmination of their practice
• Verbal defense
• Written component
• Extensive documentation

Funding and Resources

The University of Tennessee MFA Studio Art program is nationally recognized and respected. Applicants are considered for Graduate Teaching Assistantships with a full tuition waiver, stipend, and health benefits. Outstanding applicants are nominated for additional fellowships.

Application and Admission

Applications for Fall 2026 open on August 1. The deadline for funding consideration is January 15, 2026.

Concentrations

The program offers the following concentrations:

• MFA, Ceramics Concentration
• MFA, Painting & Drawing Concentration
• MFA, Printmaking Concentration
• MFA, Sculpture Concentration
• MFA, Time-Based Art Concentration

Program Features

Rankings

• MFA Program ranked 22nd among public universities
• Printmaking Program ranked 3rd among public universities

Funding & Resources

• Funding for Graduate Teaching Assistants/Associates
• Studio space for each student
• City with a thriving arts district near the Smoky Mountains

Academics

• Major gallery program
• 22 full-time faculty
• Faculty Research + Creative Activity
• Visiting Artists and Scholars Lecture Series
• Artist-in-Residence Program

Faculty Representatives

• Ceramics // Sally Brogden
• Painting + Drawing // Rubens Ghenov
• Printmaking // Beauvais Lyons
• Sculpture // John Powers
• Time-Based Art // John Kelley

Student Work

Exhibition Catalogs

• 2025 Exhibition Catalog
• 2024 Exhibition Catalog
• 2023 Exhibition Catalog
• 2022 Exhibition Catalog
• 2021 Exhibition Catalog
• 2020 Exhibition Catalog
• 2019 Exhibition Catalog
• 2018 Exhibition Catalog
• 2017 Exhibition Catalog

Notable Alumni

• Eleanor Aldrich
• Carlos Ancalmo
• Sarah Ancalmo
• Jeff Baxter
• John Bissonette
• Brenna Board
• Mike Calway-Fagen
• Alex Cline
• Sam Cockrell
• Brandon Donahue
• Amy Green
• Wade Guyton
• Mark Hosford
• Pamela Jorden
• Kevin Kao
• Jessica Kreutter
• Shaurya Kumar
• Rob Matthews
• Wardell Milan
• Alison Moffett
• Ashley Nason
• Marlo Pascual
• Julian Rogers
• Josh Smith
• Simon Sok
• Meredyth Sparks
• Joel Trussell
• Crystal Wagner
• Kelly Walker
• Ericka Walker
• Hilary Dana Walrod
• Anthony Watkins
• Mitchell Wright

Alumni Databases

• Ceramics Alumni
• Painting and Drawing Alumni
• Printmaking Alumni
• Sculpture Alumni

Areas of Study

• Art History
• Ceramics
• Cinema Studies
• Painting & Drawing
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Sculpture
• Time-Based Art

Resources

• Media Pool
• smART Lab
• Wood Shop
• Letterpress Lab

Opportunities

• Study Abroad
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Graduate Assistantships & Aid
• Artist Residencies + Internships

Art at UT

• Ewing Gallery
• Downtown Gallery
• Gallery 1010
• Local Exhibit Spaces
• MFA Exhibition Catalogs
• Faculty Work
• ArtBox: Limited Edition Prints
• School of Art
• College of Arts and Sciences
• 1715 Volunteer Blvd
• 213 Art + Architecture
• Knoxville, TN 37996

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
The flagship campus of the University of Tennessee System and partner in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway.