Mindful of
the past, We contemplate
and create a better future

We inspire rigorous paths of study through individual expression and collaboration across many disciplines of art, art history, and design. Through education and encouragement of broad dialogue within arts, we promote positive and sustainable change in our global community.

Art and Design at MSU

Undergraduate

graduate

community

Majors

women with blue eyeliner and blue lipstick, wearing a blue veil
APPAREL & TEXTILE DESIGN
canvas covered in paint with paint brushes lying on top
ART EDUCATION
museum with paintings in intricate gold frames
ART HISTORY & VISUAL CULTURE
cluttered desk up against a wall covered in graphics and typography
Graphic Design
Abstract ergonomic sculpture mounted on a wall
STUDio ART

Minors

A light blue background with a dark strip down the center, two colorful angular polygons are on either side of the strip
ART HISTORY & VISUAL CULTURE
a camera with a purple reflection in the lense

Art photograhy

a collection of layered comic books
Comic Art & Graphic Novels
A colorful page spread
Graphic Design

Master of Fine Arts

Our MFA program seeks to expand our empathic understanding, cultivate the voices of underserved populations and ideas, and mitigate and critique damage done to ecologies, marginalized cultures, and the environment brought about by several centuries of colonialist pursuits. 

woman in art exhibit speaking to interviewer

new program studies race through art

We have established a Critical Race Studies Residency Program that will bring an Artist-in-Residence and a Designer-in-Residence to campus to enrich the life of student experiences and the greater community by facilitating practices of inclusion through art and design as part of the Department of Art, Art History, and Design.

SPARTAN'S JOURNEY OF DETERMINATION

Born with no hands and missing her big toe along with the supporting bones on each foot, Kathryn Bailey, a 24-year-old Studio Art graduating senior hasn’t allowed her quadrilateral limb deficiency to keep her from living a “normal” life and now is about to graduate with a degree in Studio Art and a concentration in Painting and Graphic Design.

Woman in art studio painting on canvas
Woman with glasses and brown hair placing a glass cylinder over an unseen object, against a colorful background

MFA in Art, Art History, and Design

The Master of Fine Art program seeks highly motivated students who have the artistic and scholarly vision to guide us into equitable, sustainable, and creative futures. We encourage new and rigorous forms of artistic expression and design innovation that transcend typical constraints to make meaningful contributions to the world. A 100% funded program, your able to customize your student experience at one of the leading research institutions in the world.

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“I knew design was what I loved doing. It wasn’t until I started job searching that I found there were so many possibilities to use the skills I learned in my degree. I love working for American Girl because I get to work on such a diverse range of projects.”

Rebecca dekuiper

Apparel and Textile Design Alumna
Lead Designer, American Girl

featured News

A man in a blue L.L. Bean hoodie stands in front of a wall filled with assorted notes and photos, conveying a creative and thoughtful atmosphere.

Why This Emerging Artist Isn’t Worried About AI Replacing Human Creativity

As an emerging artist, Alex Vlasov isn’t afraid of artificial intelligence. While some futurists predict AI could replace human-created art and writing, Vlasov disagrees. “Photography didn’t replace paintings. Ever since the first photographs in 1826, paintings are still created,” Vlasov said. He further explained that human-created art will continue to provide opportunities for people to see connections, find themes, and experience the emotions conveyed through an artist’s work.

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People gather in a hallway for the Day of Design. A student with pink hair explains her graphic design project displayed on the wall to an alum wearing a scarf.

MSU Graphic Design Students, Faculty, and Alumni Celebrate 10 Years of the BFA Program

This spring, faculty, students, and alumni celebrated 10 years of the Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) program at Michigan State University. The Graphic Design B.F.A. major and the minor launched in 2016 to meet MSU student interest and align with industry expectations. Before 2016, Graphic Design was a concentration within the Studio Art B.F.A. major. Robert A. McCann, Interim Chair of the MSU Department of Art, Art History, Design (AAHD), credits a diverse group of faculty members with building an industry informed and philosophically engaged Graphic Design program that prepares students for careers that will continue to

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Spartans Make Public Art Shine in East Lansing

On a cool afternoon in April, about a dozen Girl Scouts in Troop 30418 are crossing the street toward the alley next to the Charles Street Parking Garage in downtown East Lansing, skipping and laughing as they go. When they enter the alley, a few of them stop. Others put their hands to their mouths, eyes open wide, as they begin inspecting a new mural that is nearly finished — one that they helped design. Collaborating with undergraduates from Michigan State University’s art and design fraternity Gamma Epsilon Tau and the city of East Lansing, the troop helped brainstorm

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Events

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