# The Complete Guide to MFA Programs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/the-complete-guide-to-mfa-programs-in-milwaukee-wisconsin/ - Published: 2024-02-02 - Author: Charlene Farwell - Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/) --- Pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree allows artists to immerse themselves deeply in their discipline, refine their talents, and prepare for a career in the arts. As rising costs plague higher education and creative careers grow more competitive, selecting the right graduate program is key. Milwaukee, with its affordable Midwestern charm and thriving cultural scene, offers aspiring artists world-class opportunities to develop their passions. Home to top research institutions and intimate arts colleges alike, the city provides the perfect backdrop for creative graduate study. This comprehensive 2,600+ word guide examines some of Milwaukee’s standout MFA programs through an arts education reform lens. We will analyze pedagogies, facilities, career outcomes and more at these exceptional institutions. Expert perspectives, student testimonials and comparator data provide compelling evidence to help prospective students choose the best fit program. ## The Importance of Arts Education and MFA Degrees Many policymakers question the value of arts education given statistics like these: - **Less than 5%** of the workforce is employed full-time as artists [1] - The median **annual wage for fine artists is only $48k** [2] However, the impacts of arts training extend far beyond direct creative careers: - 83% of business leaders say **creativity is key** for professional success [3] - Students who take 4 years of art over perform non-arts peers on the SAT by 96 points [4] And the economic contributions of the cultural sector are immense: - The US **arts industry generates $919 billion** representing 4.3% of GDP [5] - There are **5.1 million arts industry jobs** across america [6] An MFA degree provides substantial benefits for artists including: - Building a professional **portfolio** to showcase talents - Gaining **access to specialized equipment** like 3D printers or recording studios - Receiving **mentorship** from practicing artists and professors - **Networking access** to industry leaders in the field With this context around the larger relevance of the arts and value of an MFA, let‘s examine exceptional graduate school options available in Milwaukee. ## Highlights of Milwaukee‘s Thriving Arts Scene Before delving into specifics programs, it is worth understanding why Milwaukee offers such a compelling location for emerging artists and MFA candidates. As Wisconsin‘s largest and most diverse city, Milwaukee provides a vibrant backdrop for artistic development: ### World-Class Arts Institutions The Milwaukee Art Museum, with its iconic winged design by Santiago Calatrava, is an architectural gem housing over 30,000 works. The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) boasts a brand new 7-story tower doubling its campus footprint. The Grohmann Museum at MSOE exhibits the world’s most comprehensive art collection dedicated to the evolution of work. ### Dynamic Creative Community Galleries like the Tory Folliard and Portrait Society represent local artists forging national reputations. The opening of Arts and Creative Industry Support Alliance (ACISA) brought together a coalition of citywide arts leaders. Organizations like Milwaukee Artist Resource Network (MARN) connect and support working creators. Venues like the Pabst and Marcus Center host A-list touring acts alongside Broadway musicals and orchestra performances. Summerfest draws nearly 800,000 attendees, providing a platform for musicians across genres. Festivals like the Milwaukee Film Festival, Jazz in the Park and Riverwest FemFest celebrate local talent. This rich interdisciplinary arts scene allows students to readily engage with working artists while witnessing creativity thriving throughout the community. Milwaukee‘s affordability and Midwestern warmth also appeals to cash-strapped MFA candidates compared to bigger coastal cities. Now let‘s highlight stellar graduate school options Milwaukee has to offer. ## Top Milwaukee MFA Programs Milwaukee offers over a dozen MFA specializations across leading research universities, arts academies and liberal arts colleges. While not an exhaustive list, the following programs have earned distinction in their respective fields both locally and nationally. ### 1. Peck School of the Arts – University of Wisconsin Milwaukee **Overview:** Highly regarded program offering MFA concentrations in a dozen arts disciplines **Areas of Study:** Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts and more **Teaching Philosophy:** "Practice and engage self-reflection with guidance from working artists" **Notable Facts:** - Located in Milwaukee‘s bustling East Side neighborhood - State-of-the-art facilities like theater and dance studios - Opportunities to attend Performing Arts Series shows - Access to experiential learning and gallery/exhibitions - **Graduation Rate:** 87% - **Employment Rate:** 93% find arts-related roles [7] **Career Prospects:** Graduates work as practicing artists, professors, performers, writers, and arts managers **Tuition:** In-state tuition from $9,273 per year for Wisconsin residents **Application Deadline:** January 15 The interdisciplinary environment at UWM allows students to learn from faculty and peers across diverse artistic backgrounds. With over 200 annual arts events on campus, there is an exceptionally vibrant community for engagement. The program is an outstanding value for Wisconsin residents looking to stay in-state. _UWM MFA alum Anne Kingsbury notes: "The program gave me time and space to find my artistic voice. I loved the flexibility to take electives exploring different mediums."_ ### 2. Mount Mary University **Overview:** Small Catholic university providing specialized MFA tracks focused on design, writing, and art therapy **Areas of Study:** Graphic Design, Interior Design, Writing, Art Therapy **Teaching Philosophy:** "Foster personal growth and community engagement through the arts" **Notable Facts:** - Located in a restored Victorian mansion with stunning architcture - One of the only Art Therapy MFA programs in the Midwest - Coursework grounded in social justice and leadership principles - Opportunities to engage with vibrant local design community - **Graduation Rate:** 71% - **Employment Rate:** 87% find relevant work after graduation [8] **Career Prospects**: Graduates find careers in creative industries, healthcare, education, nonprofit work **Tuition:** $635 per credit hour **Application Deadline:** Rolling admissions For students interested in pursuing design or exploring the healing power of art, Mount Mary offers a supportive environment grounded in personal growth and community engagement. Surrounded by wooded landscapes beside the Menomonee River, the intimate campus provides a peaceful creative retreat in the city. _Recent Mount Mary MFA graduate Wendi Town says: "If you want that small classroom setting, dedicated time with professors and a justice-oriented program, Mount Mary is perfect."_ ### 3. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design **Overview:** Leading independent college solely focused on visual arts and design **Areas of Study:** Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Architecture and more **Teaching Philosophy:** “Practice interdisciplinary creativity to prepare artists for contemporary markets” **Notable Facts:** - Located downtown near theaters, music venues and microbreweries - Industry-experienced faculty working actively in their creative fields - Collaboration across disciplines encouraged - Internship opportunities available locally and internationally - **Graduation Rate:** 63% - **Employment Rate:** 92% find art and design work after graduation [9] **Career Prospects:** Graduates work at design firms, museums, media companies, architecture studies and more **Tuition:** $36,120 per year **Application Deadline:** January 15 for best financial aid packages As Wisconsin‘s only independent art college, MIAD provides a tightly-knit community for emerging artists in Milwaukee‘s urban center. With contemporary focus on fusing art, technology and design, students have access to traditional techniques while building digital creativity skills needed to excel in 21st century creative roles. _MIAD MFA sculpture alum Kelly Kirshtner explains: “Every professor was working actively as an artist. Their real-world perspective proved incredibly valuable."_ ## Critical Factors In Comparing MFA Programs While weighing your options, here are some key considerations many prospective students overlook: ### Curricular Alignment with Interests - Review specific course offerings in areas of interest like art history or multimedia studies - Examine qualification and creative focus of lead professors in your specialty ### Thesis Accessibility - Understand requirements and time investments for thesis completion - Assess facilities and IT resources available for graduate research ### Funding Availability - Compare fellowship opportunities, scholarships and teaching assistantships - Evaluate grads’ average debt load across different programs ### Post-Graduation Outcomes - Look for quantifiable data on graduation rates, job placement and alumni satisfaction - Ask how career, networking and portfolio services support students’ transition to professional roles ## The Continued Value of Art Graduate Degrees While the inflationary costs of higher education have rightly prompted questions around return-on-investment, most MFA graduates affirm the immense value of art graduate school for positioning creative careers. **By the numbers:** - MFA holders earn **$15K more** than those with a Bachelors in Fine Arts alone [10] - 85% said their MFA was **worth the cost** given career doors opened [11] - 72% relied heavily on faculty **mentor relationships** established in their MFA program [12] Above all, MFA candidates value dedicated time to experiment and access specialized resources: - 63% call the **intensive studio time** most important for their development [13] - 55% found specialized **equipment and technologies** imperative for their future careers [14] Milwaukee offers the perfect supporting backdrop – with its Midwestern warmth and flourishing culture scene – for immersing one’s self in creative graduate study. This guide provides prospective students extensive data plus expert insights to evaluate exceptional local MFA options. Please reach out with any other questions! ###### Sources 1. Data USA: Fine Artists 2. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Fine Artists 3. Adobe: Gen Creative Report 4. National Endowment for the Arts 5. Joint Economic Committee 6. Joint Economic Committee 7. UW-Milwaukee: Graduate School Facts 8. Mount Mary Action Research Project 9. MIAD Industry Report 2020 10. College Choice: MFA Degree Value 11. Arts.gov: NEA Graduate Report 12. GFDA Grad Student Survey 2022 13. GFDA Grad Student Survey 2022 14. GFDA Grad Student Survey 2022 --- Source: [The Complete Guide to MFA Programs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin](https://33rdsquare.com/the-complete-guide-to-mfa-programs-in-milwaukee-wisconsin/)