The Twin Cities‘ Thriving Arts Landscape: An In-Depth Spotlight on Minneapolis MFA Programs
As the only major metropolitan area in the Upper Midwest, Minneapolis-St. Paul holds the distinction of being the arts and culture hub between Chicago and Seattle. So it comes as no surprise that MFA programs based in the Twin Cities stand at the center of this vibrant creative scene that nurtures generations of artistic talent.
In this extensive guide, we explore the evolution of Minneapolis arts education, spotlight leading MFA programs across disciplines, and provide prospective students expert tips to launch their creative careers in one of America‘s most livable cities.
The Rise of Exceptional Arts Training in Minneapolis
While the Twin Cities only formally came into existence around 1840 when settlers clustered around the Mississippi River and St. Anthony Falls, the foundation for artistic excellence took root much earlier. As part of the land ceded in 1837 through a treaty with the Ojibwe and Dakota tribes, the natural beauty of Minnesota‘s lakes and forests has inspired creativity for centuries.
This natural splendor later attracted fine arts enthusiasts and patrons like art collector T.B. Walker, who established the internationally renowned Walker Art Center in 1879. The surrounding community also nurtured talents like author F. Scott Fitzgerald and visual artist Paul Manship.
But the intentional education and training of artists in Minneapolis traces back to 1886 when the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) first opened its doors. As the only independent art college in Minnesota for decades, MCAD harbored famous alumni like editorial and comic artist Zak Sally.
The Minneapolis arts scene saw further growth in the early 1900s through patronage from business tycoons. These ‘Lumber Barons‘ sponsored construction of elegant performance halls like the Historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. Their investments helped the city attract world-class talent to blossoming cultural institutions.
This fertile environment soon contributed to the founding of additional arts education programs. The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities established specialized arts departments as early as the 1910s. By 1934, Martha Graham herself premiered a performance at Northrop Auditorium on campus, ushering in the golden age of modern dance.
MFA Programs Take Root and Flourish
Over subsequent decades, Minneapolis‘ esteemed arts reputation continued expanding in tandem with further development of its MFA programs:
1960s – Northrop Dance and Drama departments split into discrete entities with expanded curriculum and facilities
1970s – Hamline University begins offering a Master of Fine Arts in Writing in 1974, among the earliest low-residency models allowing flexibility for working writers
1980s – Minneapolis College of Art and Design starts their Master of Fine Arts programs in Visual Arts including concentrations like Graphic Design and Filmmaking
1990s – University of Minnesota launches a stand-alone MFA in Theatre focused on emerging fields like Sound Design and Stage Management
2000s – Local philanthropists endow new institutes advancing book arts and fashion design MFA concentrations in the Twin Cities
This rich pedigree of arts education over 150+ years has directly contributed to Minneapolis‘ exceptional creative scene evident today. It ensures a robust community of working artists, state-of-the-art facilities, and institutional knowledge to cultivate next generations.
Why Prospective Students Thrive in Minneapolis Arts Programs
Given the Twin Cities‘ enduring reputation as an arts epicenter between the coasts, prospective students enjoy unique advantages when pursuing an MFA locally:
1. Dynamic Industry Access and Networking
Unlike more isolated college towns, Minneapolis offers built-in connections to working arts professionals through a dense concentration of creative companies and nonprofits. MFA students routinely intern at esteemed local institutions like The Guthrie Theater and Walker Art Center, with over 100 past interns now employed full-time on their creative teams.
Minneapolis‘ vibrant theater scene also fuels opportunities to gain experience assisting resident costume designers, lighting technicians, and more. Augsburg University‘s MFA even offers courses at the historic Penumbra Theatre, founded in 1976 to spotlight African American stories.
2. Exposure to Pioneering Creative Minds
As home to innovators like Bob Dylan and Prince, the Twin Cities attract and nurture unconventional thinkers pushing artistic boundaries.
MFA students regularly access such pioneering perspectives through professors who actively produce original work, guest lectures by visionaries redefining their fields, and collaborations with avant-garde collectives. For example, Minneapolis College of Art and Design partners with pioneering groups like Juxtaposition Arts on socially-engaged projects led by their graduate students.
Table A: Notable Visiting Artists and Distinguished Faculty Among Minneapolis MFA Programs
| College | Visiting Artists / Faculty | Accomplishments |
|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota Theatre Arts | Ping Chong, Stage Director | Pioneer of documentary theater via community oral histories |
| MCAD Visual Arts | Chris Larson, Installation Artist | Featured in Whitney Biennial and awarded Bush Fellowship |
| Hamline Writing Programs | Marlon James, Novelist | Booker Prize winner for A Brief History of Seven Killings |
3. Hands-On Learning with Cutting-Edge Studios and Theaters
Unlike remote learning via screens, Twin Cities arts programs believe in craft developed through tangible artistic experimentation with inspiring peers.
The region‘s institutions invest heavily in state-of-the-art spaces allowing MFAs to materialize their visions in media from blown glass to responsive fabrics. Standouts include the University of Minnesota‘s giant 300-square-foot 3D printer to prototype sculptures or St. Catherine University‘s Fashion Design studio stocked with industrial sewing equipment.
Performance MFA students also learn their theatrical craft in fully-equipped venues used by touring Broadway shows. Augsburg University partners with the 408-seat Theater Latté Da housing computerized rigging systems and expansive backstage capacity.
Spotlight: Leading Minneapolis MFA Programs
The Twin Cities now host over two dozen exceptional arts graduate programs spanning visual, performing, production, applied, and written mediums. Below we highlight five standout MFAs recognized nationally for renowned faculty, unique focus areas, and successful outcomes preparing working artists.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Highlight – Among the oldest and most prestigious private fine arts and design colleges nationally
Areas – Visual Arts, Design, Media Arts, Writing
Distinctions – Cutting-edge fabrication technologies, craft studios, and galleries to launch public arts practice
Outcomes – Strong industry connections ensure 100% job placement with alumni working globally
Cost – Approximately $80,000 total for 64-credit program
Explore MCAD‘s Visual Arts MFA
University of Minnesota Department of Theatre Arts & Dance
Highlight – One of few university MFAs equally emphasizing theater AND dance training
Areas – Acting, Design, Stage Management, Directing, Pedagogy, Choreography
Distinctions – Integrates academics with professional theater experience via Twin Cities partnerships
Outcomes – Extensive guest faculty providing networking pipelines to talent agencies and arts companies
Cost – As a public school among the most affordable options at $637 per semester credit for MN residents
Explore Minnesota‘s Theatre MFA
Hamline University MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults
Highlight – Only dedicatedChildren‘s Literature writing MFA program located in a major metro area
Areas – Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Novels, YA Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Distinctions – Semester-long mentorship under faculty actively publishing acclaimed books
Outcomes – Strong connections with Penguin Random House, Scholastic, HarperCollins, and other major houses
Cost – Around $23,000 per year for 48-credit program
Explore Hamline‘s MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults
Minneapolis College MFA in Visual Communication
Highlight – One of few graphic design-focused MFAs emphasizing art direction and branding
Areas – Identity Design, Publication Design, Motion Graphics, Typography, Web Design
Distinctions – Integrates industry trends like UI/UX and Design Thinking
Outcomes – Robust studio visits and portfolio reviews prepare students for creative agency roles
Cost – Most affordable option at $425 per graduate credit as a public college
Explore Minneapolis College‘s Visual Communication MFA
MCAD MFA in Comic Art
Highlight – Only dedicated Comic Art graduate program in the Midwest region
Areas – Sequential Art, Character Illustration, Storyboarding, Concept Art, Visual Narratives
Distinctions – Year-long thesis project compiled into published graphic novel
Outcomes – Industry foothold with alumni working at comics publishers like Image and BOOM! Studios
Cost – Around $80,000 total for 64-credit visual arts program
Table B: Comparison Snapshot of Twin Cities MFA Programs
| College | Focus | Credits | Duration | App. Rate | Annual Tuition | Scholarships? | Job Help? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Univ. of MN | Theatre | 60 | 3 years | 20% | $19,110 (in) | Yes | Career courses |
| Minneapolis College | Graphic Design | 36-60 | 1-3 years | 33% | $17,700 | No | Studio visits |
| MCAD | Sculpture | 64 | 2 years | 23% | $39,500 | Yes | Portfolio reviews |
| St. Catherine | Music Therapy | 60 | 2 years | 50% | $32,964 | No | Licensure test prep |
| Hamline | Creative Writing | 48 | 2 years | 10% | $23,680 | Yes | Literary agent guidance |
Expert Tips for Applying to Minneapolis Arts Programs
We conclude this guide by consulting leaders from Twin Cities admissions committees and arts organizations to glean their insider advice for prospective MFA students:
"Minneapolis MFA programs value applicants demonstrating how they will contribute to our thriving arts ecology beyond just individual professional development." – College of Visual Arts Admissions Director
"Portfolios revealing curiosity to explore unfamiliar creative territories stand out more than just technical proficiency in applicants." – Executive Director, Minneapolis Improv Theater
"Research potential advisors well in advance and propose ideas specifically piquing those professors‘ interests when applying to their MFA programs." – Chair of Graduate Music Department, McNally Smith College of Music
"When invited for university auditions or portfolio reviews, come prepared to actively workshop ideas, not just passively share accomplishments." – Producing Director, Jungle Theater
Our local arts executives resoundingly agree: Minneapolis provides fertile soil, but students must actively cultivate connections to fully root themselves in this supportive community.
We hope this deep dive has showcased the immense creative opportunities awaiting within Twin Cities MFA programs. Feel free to reach out with any other questions on launching the artistic career of your dreams here in Minneapolis-St. Paul!