Overview

Recognized nationally and internationally for an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to visual arts education since 1886, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) offers pre-college programs, bachelor’s and master's degrees, and continuing education classes for all ages.

Home to 750 students, MCAD's campus is located just south of downtown Minneapolis and comprises eight buildings and three acres of lawn and gardens. College facilities contain the latest in technology with multiple studios and labs open 24/7.

MCAD students are carefully selected for their creative talents and intellectual abilities, and they are some of the most talented young artists and designers in the country. Students focus on their careers early while learning technical and professional skills and developing creative, intellectual, and leadership capabilities. Students may choose to major in:

MCAD alumni are setting new standards across the broadest range of creative careers and include Oscar-winning animators, Emmy-winning directors, Whitney Biennial artists, and Guggenheim Fellows. They're starting companies, pioneering new industries, and fueling the economy throughout Minnesota, across the country, and around the world.

World-class art and design education begins with world-class educators. Working artists and designers who are respected in their fields, MCAD’s faculty members are renowned for their ingenuity, expertise, and commitment as instructors. Each year, they inspire new generations of creative thinkers to make the successful transition from students into professional artists and designers.

Founded in 1886, MCAD was one of the first colleges to offer the BFA degree. The college has earned the highest accreditation possible and has the highest four-year graduation rate of all Midwestern visual arts colleges. The Princeton Review has included MCAD on its annual Best Midwestern Colleges list since 2005—a rarity for a visual arts college.

The MCAD community is a close and supportive environment that transforms the world through creativity and purpose.

Related Listings

Participant Reviews

Write a Review

This program hasn't been reviewed yet. Write the first review!

Testimonials

I really like the instructors here. Our faculty members are working in the field and they know what's going on in it.

- Nich Thomas, Photography - July 22, 2015

MCAD has some of the hardest working students in the world. I swear to you. People at MCAD work so hard, and that pays off so much, because nothing in the real world is going to be harder than what we do here.

- Norah Stone, Graphic Design - June 14, 2014

You’re given so much information and you’re taught to judge, critique, and question everything. So when you go to make your work, you apply that knowledge to yourself. In that way, MCAD really challenges you to be the best version of yourself.

- Allison Wightman, Print Paper Book - March 1, 2015

MCAD is a gallery, constantly in flux. As you walk around the school you're exposed to different things that you would never have previously seen. If you don't have time to seek out art, you still find influence in the halls here.

- Brennan Gasser, Furniture Design - Aug. 20, 2014

There's no weird at MCAD. Even if you were the super weird one back in high school, you'll find someone here who was also the weird one in high school.

- Jaafar Alnabi, Filmmaking - Feb. 4, 2016

I really like all the parks here. I bike a lot during my free time, and I'm always swimming in the lakes because they're so accessible. I'm taken with the scenery and nature here in Minneapolis.

- Jesse Nagamatsu, Sculpture - April 26, 2015

Participant Reviews

Write a Review

This program hasn't been reviewed yet. Write the first review!

Testimonials

I really like the instructors here. Our faculty members are working in the field and they know what's going on in it.

- Nich Thomas, Photography - July 22, 2015

MCAD has some of the hardest working students in the world. I swear to you. People at MCAD work so hard, and that pays off so much, because nothing in the real world is going to be harder than what we do here.

- Norah Stone, Graphic Design - June 14, 2014

You’re given so much information and you’re taught to judge, critique, and question everything. So when you go to make your work, you apply that knowledge to yourself. In that way, MCAD really challenges you to be the best version of yourself.

- Allison Wightman, Print Paper Book - March 1, 2015

MCAD is a gallery, constantly in flux. As you walk around the school you're exposed to different things that you would never have previously seen. If you don't have time to seek out art, you still find influence in the halls here.

- Brennan Gasser, Furniture Design - Aug. 20, 2014

There's no weird at MCAD. Even if you were the super weird one back in high school, you'll find someone here who was also the weird one in high school.

- Jaafar Alnabi, Filmmaking - Feb. 4, 2016

I really like all the parks here. I bike a lot during my free time, and I'm always swimming in the lakes because they're so accessible. I'm taken with the scenery and nature here in Minneapolis.

- Jesse Nagamatsu, Sculpture - April 26, 2015

Request More Information

Close Icon

Want More Information about Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD)?

Your request will be sent directly to Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

I am a:
 
By submitting this form I confirm that I am at least 13 years of age and give my consent to be contacted by Minneapolis College of Art and Design by email as well as by phone and/or mail (if provided).