angled shot of two large canvases

Graduate Program in Painting

The painting graduate program draws upon contemporary practices and discourse in the field to prepare students for a life in the arts. 

Students are encouraged to work across disciplines and techniques in order to develop a body of work that reflects their independent investigations in painting. Studio practice is supplemented with art history seminars, visiting artist lectures, summer workshops, and travel study programs to New York City, culminating in a solo M.A. or M.F.A. thesis exhibition.

The School of Art offers both the Master of Arts degree in Studio Art and the Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting. Working in close consultation with a major advisor, graduate students pursue a sequence of course work that encourages the development of an independent, critical approach to artistry in the discipline. Studio space on campus is available on a limited basis for full-time resident students.

Program Highlights
  • Dedicated studio space for M.F.A. graduate students
  • Graduate Assistantships for M.F.A. students that offer tuition remission and a stipend
  • Working with a range of graduate faculty
  • Renowned visiting artist program
  • Kent Blossom Art Intensives - two-week summer studio intensives with visiting artists
  • Access to state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and tools
  • Travel study opportunities every semester to New York City, plus other domestic and international trips offered
  • Access to world-class museums and research libraries
  • School-wide digital fabrication lab (ARTech Studio)
Application Information

Our graduate application deadline for Fall 2025 admission has passed and we are no longer accepting applications with funding.  If you have questions about an unfunded M.A. degree, please contact the Graduate Coordinator of the School of Art, Professor Shawn Powell at spowel31@kent.edu. The Fall 2026 application cycle will open in September.

Degree Offerings

Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s top graduate programs in the visual arts, the School of Art at Kent State University provides abundant opportunities for graduate students to advance their skills in all areas of studio art. We offer the only MFA program in northeast Ohio, and the only program in the state of Ohio to offer this breadth of studio specialties.

Learn about our M.F.A. in Studio Art

Learn about our M.A. in Studio Art

Visiting Artists Program

Each month throughout the school year, visiting artists in all studio art disciplines are invited to campus for public lectures, studio visits and demonstrations. Around ten visiting artists and scholars visit Kent State every year. Artists exhibiting in nearby Akron and Cleveland are also invited conduct studio visits with MFA students when available.

Students also have opportunities to meet artists and curators on travel study trips to New York City as well as day trips to museums and galleries in nearby Akron, Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus, and Pittsburgh.

Additionally, during the summer Kent Blossom Art Intensives, the School of Art has as many as fourteen visiting artists come to campus. Artists give talks open to all disciplines and the public, and work with participants in their related field. 

CONTACT US:

For more information or to schedule a visit, contact Gianna Commito, Professor in Painting at gcommito@kent.edu or 330-672-7536 or Associate Professor in Painting Shawn Powell at spowel31@kent.edu or 330-672-9728.

Student Work

painting of two women shown from behind in vibrant blue paint
black and white squares layered over eachother on painting
painting of abstract, organic, brightly colored shapes with patterns mixed in.
cut wooden shapes layered into abstract shapes with paint
Painting of fish sitting next to a knife on a cutting board.
large, brightly colored canvas tapestry hanging on wall
painting of abstract orange and pink shape
abstract canvas tapestry
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