MFA EXPERIENCE
Discover a graduate program like no other—where innovation, mentorship, and world-class resources set you apart and push your practice forward.
EXPLORE THE OFFERINGS OF GRADUATE SCHOOL
Experience a graduate program like no other, where innovation, mentorship, and world-class resources converge to help you reach your full creative potential.
At the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, our MFA program empowers artists and designers to transform ideas into meaningful, original creations.
Through deep inquiry, rigorous exploration, and mentorship, we cultivate the ability to challenge conventions, innovate new ways of seeing the world, and amplify diverse voices and forms of expression.
Our three-year MFA program offers concentrations in Painting, Sculpture, Photography/Digital Media, Graphic Design, and Interdisciplinary Practices and Emerging Forms, with flexibility to tailor your journey through interdisciplinary mentorship and access to the vast resources of a Tier 1 research institution. Students work closely with faculty mentors, whose expertise spans a broad range of practices and methodologies, while engaging with visiting artists, designers, curators, and critics who bring fresh perspectives from local, national, and international art communities.
Graduate students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities at the Elgin Street Studios, featuring private studios, wood and metal shops, a digital lab, and dedicated exhibition spaces. Located in Houston’s dynamic Arts District, the School of Art connects students with world-class cultural institutions, alternative art spaces, and galleries in the nation’s fourth-largest and most diverse city, turning Houston into an extended campus filled with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
We welcome candidates from varied backgrounds, whether they hold traditional art degrees, come from interdisciplinary fields, or are re-entering academia after time away. If you are self-driven, ready to refine your unique practice, and eager to immerse yourself in a critical, pluralistic, and supportive environment, we invite you to join our vibrant community of artists and designers.
GRADUATE STUDIOS
As a graduate student in the MFA program, you'll enjoy the unique and invaluable experience of having your own private studio space at the new Elgin Street Studios. Nestled in the vibrant Arts District, just a short walk from the William R. Jenkins Architecture, Design & Art Library and the Fine Arts Building, this state-of-the-art facility is more than just a workspace—it's a creative haven.
Elgin Street Studios is designed to inspire and support artistic growth with private studios that allow you to fully immerse yourself in your craft throughout your graduate journey. The building also features open classrooms, fully equipped wood and metal shops, a digital lab, expansive covered outdoor workspaces, exhibition galleries, and welcoming common areas both indoors and outdoors. This dynamic environment fosters collaboration, experimentation, and community, making your graduate experience truly one of a kind.
MFA THESIS SHOW AT BLAFFER
Each spring, the Blaffer Art Museum and the University of Houston School of Art proudly present a professional, museum-level exhibition celebrating the creative achievements of MFA candidates.
This distinguished showcase features work from the School of Art’s five studio programs: Graphic Design, Interdisciplinary Practices and Emerging Forms, Painting, Photography/Digital Media, and Sculpture. Held in the inspiring setting of the Blaffer Art Museum, the exhibition offers graduate students a rare opportunity to present their work in a real museum environment, providing invaluable insight into the professional art world.
The event begins with a lively opening reception, drawing the university and arts community together to honor the artists’ accomplishments. Highlighting the depth and range of talent cultivated over the three-year program, the exhibition is complemented by a professionally designed and printed Catalog, ensuring each artist’s work is documented and celebrated beyond the museum walls.
The MFA Thesis Show is a defining moment in a graduate student’s artistic journey, bringing their creative vision to life and marking a significant step toward their future in the art world.
ELGIN STreet STUDIO's GALLERIES
As a graduate student at the School of Art, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your work in two exceptional gallery spaces at Elgin Street Studios.
Elgin Gallery 1, a 300-square-foot space equipped with state-of-the-art projection and sound, is primarily dedicated to graduate student exhibitions and occasional shows featuring the broader School of Art community.
Meanwhile, Elgin Gallery 2, a 500-square-foot space, is devoted to experimental projects initiated by individuals or collaborative groups. Both galleries are programmed in collaboration with graduate students and the School of Art Exhibitions Committee, providing a dynamic platform to share your creative vision and engage with the art community.
MFA SUMMER INTENSIVE
Created and led by School of Art MFA alumni, the Summer Intensive is a residency-like experience for graduate students that fosters community and productivity during the summer months. Students meet regularly creating a supportive and generative environment. As a group, they engage in workshops, demonstrations, field trips, lectures, and critique. Invited guests conduct artist talks and studio visits. The intensive culminates with a group exhibition in the Elgin Street Galleries and a corresponding catalog is published.