The University of Iowa

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

School of Art, Art History, and Design

Where creativity meets expression

Find your voice. Develop your creative skills. Build your knowledge in art.

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Why Iowa?

Nestled in the heart of Iowa's beautiful arts campus, on the banks of the Iowa River, generations of artists and art historians have launched their careers and artistic journeys here. Join them.

art history students looking at scrolls

Create a foundation

Study art, art history, and design with leading artists in state-of-the-art spaces.

Create a foundation

art student with her jewerly work

Advance your work

Be part of an immersive and transformative arts experience under the guidance of expert faculty.

Advance your work

Monica Correia teaching 3D design in a gallery of work

Learn from experts

For more than 100 years, our faculty have been leaders in their disciplines who exhibit internationally and publish widely.

Learn from experts

You belong here

Be part of a legacy of excellence—and the birthplace of the MFA. Learn from faculty who are leading artists, designers, and scholars. Create and learn in facilities that are architectural masterpieces.

portrait of Alexis Williams

"During instruction periods you are able to work closely with the faculty, and get really helpful individual critical feedback from your peers because of the small class size. Because of how the classes are set up, not only do you learn a lot but we’re able to foster a really tightly knit community."

- Alexis Williams, 3D Design

Create your story

When you make art at Iowa—or explore the ways that art shapes and reflects culture—you'll blaze a unique artistic journey. Make Iowa your artistic and academic home. Join us.

printmaking class

Birthplace of the MFA

The first university to accept creative works as graduate theses

Our program also pioneered the practice of bringing established artists to the faculty.

MFA student with work

# 7

National Ranking: Printmaking

U.S. News & World Report, 2020

student painting a large canvas

# 23

National Ranking: Best Fine Arts Programs

U.S. News & World Report, 2020

Events

Student exhibitions

Glass Coffin - Jack G. Taylor MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design promotional image

Glass Coffin - Jack G. Taylor MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Visual Arts Building

On accidents: storm sewer, primary heating water supply & exit - Elise Dahan MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design promotional image

On accidents: storm sewer, primary heating water supply & exit - Elise Dahan MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Visual Arts Building

Incarnation: A Vision of Design from Its Origin - Siyun Xue MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design promotional image

Incarnation: A Vision of Design from Its Origin - Siyun Xue MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Art Building West

Alondra Michelle Escorcia Herrera's Especial - BFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design promotional image

Alondra Michelle Escorcia Herrera's Especial - BFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Visual Arts Building

FIZ - Ellie Anderson BFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design promotional image

FIZ - Ellie Anderson BFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Visual Arts Building

Late Afternoon in the Garden With a Dagger and Ewe - Kaitlin Smrcina MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design promotional image

Late Afternoon in the Garden With a Dagger and Ewe - Kaitlin Smrcina MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Monday, April 6, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Visual Arts Building

Rough work, soft touch - Kurt Tomerlin MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design promotional image

Rough work, soft touch - Kurt Tomerlin MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Monday, April 6, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Visual Arts Building

VESTIBULAR TENSION - Embry Valentino O'Leary MA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design promotional image

VESTIBULAR TENSION - Embry Valentino O'Leary MA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Monday, April 6, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Visual Arts Building

Per Unit - Mahsa Fallah MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design promotional image

Per Unit - Mahsa Fallah MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Monday, April 13, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Visual Arts Building

Body Field - Jenna Davis MA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design promotional image

Body Field - Jenna Davis MA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Monday, April 13, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Visual Arts Building

View More Exhibitions

Visiting artists and scholars

Joel Whitaker, Visiting Artist in Photography promotional image

Joel Whitaker, Visiting Artist in Photography

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 6:00pm

Visual Arts Building

Join the University of Iowa photography area in welcoming Joel Whitaker, artist and Professor at the University of Dayton.

Bio: Joel Whitaker is an artist and educator living in Dayton, Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Art in Art from the University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama and a Master of Fine Art in Studio Art from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. In 1990 he was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, and in 1993 he joined the faculty...

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MFA virtual exhibitions

Faye Hadfield - MFA Exhibition (Ceramics)
March 2 - March 6, 2026

Heather Steckler - MFA Exhibition (Printmaking)
March 1 - March 7, 2026

Cara Krippner - MFA Exhibition (Painting and Drawing)
February 23 - February 27, 2026

Anna Roemerman - MFA Exhibition (3D Design)
April 14, 2025 - April 18, 2025

Reynold Tawiah-Quashie - MFA Exhibition (3D Design)
April 14, 2025 - April 18, 2025

Katie Freeman - MFA Exhibition (3D Design)
April 7, 2025 - April 11, 2025

Charlie Pott - MFA Exhibition (Photography)
April 7, 2025 - April 11, 2025

Antonia Baafi - MFA Exhibition (Jewelry and Metal Arts)
March 31, 2025 - April 4, 2025

Lya Finston - MFA Exhibition (Printmaking)
March 24, 2025 - March 28, 2025

Amanda Shepard - MFA Exhibition (Jewelry and Metal Arts)
March 24, 2025 - March 28, 2025

View Past Exhibitions

All Events

News and announcements

School of Art, Art History, and Design April 2026 Newsletter

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Read the University of Iowa School of Art, Art History, and Design April 2026 Newsletter.

Spotlight Exhibition & Betty Braverman Award: Celebrating 10 Years of Arts & Minds

Monday, March 30, 2026

You’re invited to join us for a special celebration of creativity and student achievement on Friday, May 15 in Art Building West.

One Day for Iowa is Wednesday, March 25

Thursday, March 12, 2026

One Day for Iowa, the University of Iowa's 24-hour online giving day, is Wednesday, March 25. Hawkeyes can show support by donating to the Art and Art History Gift Fund at 1dayforiowa.org/saahd26.