School of Art, Art History, and Design

Where creativity meets expression

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

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.

Study Here

Create a foundation

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

Create a foundation

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.

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"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.

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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.

# 7

National Ranking: Printmaking

U.S. News & World Report, 2020

# 23

National Ranking: Best Fine Arts Programs

U.S. News & World Report, 2020

Events

Student exhibitions

Labor of Care - Rebecca Oehler MFA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Monday, March 23, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Visual Arts Building

Good Girls Play Dead - Jasmine Pizano MA Exhibition - School of Art, Art History, and Design

Monday, March 23, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Art Building West

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

Monday, March 30, 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

Monday, March 30, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Visual Arts Building

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

Monday, March 30, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm

Visual Arts Building

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Visiting artists and scholars

Kalaija Mallery, Visiting Curator in Sculpture & Intermedia

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Art Building West

Sculpture & Intermedia is pleased to welcome visiting curator Kalaija Mallery to the School of Art, Art History, and Design this week. She will be giving a public lecture on her curatorial practice on Wednesday, March 25, 5:30-6:30pm, in ABW 240. Everyone is warmly welcome!

Kalaija Mallery is an artist, leader, and the Executive and Artistic Director of The Luminary, a mid-sized non-profit art center in St. Louis, MO. She stewards The Luminary’s artistic programs and projects, including...

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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