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.

Create a foundation

Advance your work

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.

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

Horizons: Above, Below & Beyond - Lexie Doerr MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design promotional image

Horizons: Above, Below & Beyond - Lexie Doerr MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Thursday, March 12, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm
Art Building West

Closing Reception: Friday, March 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

A Lived Naturism - Nicholas Goergen MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design promotional image

A Lived Naturism - Nicholas Goergen MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Thursday, March 12, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm
Visual Arts Building

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...

News and announcements

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.

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

Monday, March 2, 2026
Read the University of Iowa School of Art, Art History, and Design March 2026 Newsletter.

SAAHD welcomes Dr. Max Boersma, Assistant Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art

Tuesday, February 24, 2026
The School of Art, Art History, and Design is excited to welcome new Assistant Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art, Dr. Maxwell Boersma, to the faculty beginning in Fall 2026.