M.F.A. in Drawing

Our graduate program in Drawing encourages students to pursue drawing as an expanded medium, and to think conceptually and experimentally across disciplines while developing an independent and critical approach to artistry in their work.

The mentorship of a faculty advisor guides students toward course work that explores contemporary practices and discourse in the field to prepare students for a life in the arts. 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 Master of Fine Arts degree in Drawing.

See Our Drawing Facilities

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

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR FALL 2025:

Feb. 1, 2025

*All applications should be submitted by the deadline including the application fees. Fees may vary by degree type– check out the graduate FAQ section to learn more.

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Due to the high volume of applicants, we are unable to provide specific and detailed reasoning to each applicant who is not accepted to our program. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

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 professor Darice Polo at dpolo@kent.edu or 330-672-2249.