Private art college in Minneapolis specializing in visual arts, design, and creative practice since 1886.
MCAD offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees with majors in Animation, Comic Art, Creative Writing, Fine Arts (with concentrations in Drawing and Painting, Sculpture and Expanded Media, and Print Paper Book Arts), Graphic Design, Illustration, Media Arts (with concentrations in Art and Technology, Filmmaking, and Photography), and Product and Furniture Design. Graduate programs include Master of Fine Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Creative Leadership, Graphic and Web Design, and Sustainable Design. The college also offers numerous minors, certificates, and continuing education courses for pre-college students and lifelong learners.
The campus consists of eight buildings with three acres of lawns and gardens on a 10-acre urban site. MCAD offers shared, furnished student apartments for on-campus living with floor plans for two, four, or six person occupancy. The college operates multiple gallery spaces including a main gallery, concourse gallery, outdoor sculpture garden, and student-run Gallery 148 that host contemporary art exhibitions, artist talks, and public events. Students have access to dining, health and wellness services, fitness center, library, media center, and technology labs.
MCAD admits students of any race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or marital status. The college offers pathways for first-year, transfer, military/veterans, and international students. More than 97% of MCAD students receive some kind of financial aid. The student body includes more than 800 students from 46 states, DC, and 19 countries.
Founded in 1886 by the trustees of the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts, MCAD began with 28 students in a rented downtown apartment. The school moved to its present location in 1915 on land donated by banker Clinton Morrison. In 1970, it was renamed to reflect the broadening of its fine arts and liberal arts curricula. MCAD became fully independent in 1988. The college is committed to offering transformative education that prepares creative leaders for an evolving world.