Georgia State University’s Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design Is Now Accepting Graduate Applications

The Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design, part of the College of the Arts at Georgia State University, features an internationally active faculty and a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for professional careers in art and design. The school is NASAD accredited and offers an MA in Art History, MAT and MA Ed. in Art Education, and an MFA in Studio Art with concentrations in Ceramics, Drawing and Painting, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Textiles. These full-time degree programs encourage excellence through experimentation, cross-disciplinary pursuits, and critical analyses of existing ideas about art, art teaching, and art history. The school fosters critical thinking and dynamic artistic production within an interdisciplinary environment.

Tuition Waivers & Funding
All MFA students receive full tuition waivers and monthly stipends as part of assistantships; numerous MA/MA Ed. research assistantships are granted with equal benefits. Graduate assistantships are available for all students in the MFA Studio programs, MA in Art History, and MA Ed. programs. Students are eligible for competitive fellowships, including the premium Welch Fellowships, which fund students for the entire three years of study, in addition to the student’s regular stipend and full tuition waiver. Students may also apply for extra, internal grant funding for research, travel, and materials twice a year

Urban Location
The downtown location encourages connections with local art networks, such as the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Contemporary, MOCA GA, and a solid network of commercial galleries, alternative spaces, and grassroots artist organizations. Alumni, faculty, and students are very involved in the expanding and ever-evolving scene of the international hub, having founded a number of artist-run organizations, nonprofits, and creative publications.

Gallery
The Welch School Galleries support the curriculum by curating regional, national, and international art exhibitions throughout the year while providing a venue for thesis exhibitions. The galleries host presentations and panel discussions, providing students with access to professional artists and scholars.

Programs
The Visiting Artist & Scholar Lecture Series offers a year-round calendar of lectures that provides students with access to a diverse mix of renowned artists and scholars, which encourages artistic discourse and leads to studio critiques and workshops.

Studios & Resources
MFAs are given personal studio spaces and 24-hour access to shared studio equipment, which allows for creative exploration and research in their area of study.

Third-Year Opportunities
Third-year students are given a signature professional experience or funding. Examples of prior offerings include exposure to international art fairs, opportunities to travel, supplemental funding, writing workshops with art publications, or opportunities to research and exhibit. These unique opportunities yield career-building experiences, such as networking with curators and collectors, exposure to the greater, international, contemporary art scene, and professional application.

To learn more and apply, visit artdesign.gsu.edu or contact Graduate Coordinator, Wesley Harvey, at [email protected] or (404) 413-5256.

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