History
- 1883: The Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts is formed to raise interest in the fine arts through teaching and exhibitions.
- 1915: The Society of Fine Arts raises funds to build the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, which opens its doors.
- 1988: the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts become autonomous organizations.
Education
- Majors
- Minors
- Liberal Arts
- Foundation Studies
- Master of Fine Arts
- Master of Arts
Career
MCAD alumni are part of a vibrant and active community all over the world. The college regularly offers opportunities for alumni to reconnect with each other and the college, enjoy special benefits, and share their stories.
Distance Learning Courses
Arts, Design & Architecture (2)
- M.A. Sustainable Design
Business & Management (1)
- M.A. Creative Leadership
Computer Science & IT (1)
Housing services
As an MCAD student you can opt to live in our on-campus apartments or you can live off campus.
- MCAD offers private and shared apartments—not crowded dorms—that contain full kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, and storage space. Living on campus puts you right in the center of our college community, where you’ll have easy access to student events and campus facilities, most of which are open 24/7.
All apartments include:
- broadband internet access
- shower curtain
- window blinds
- telephone
- refrigerator
- oven and stovetop
Library services
Seek knowledge as well as a peaceful place to relax in the MCAD Library.
- 50,000 volumes (ranging from academic to fiction)
- 1,700 CDs and DVDs
- 145,000 image slides
- Hundreds of magazine subscriptions
- Records and record players
- Quiet, comfortable study spaces
- Sunlamps
- Rotating exhibitions
ICT services
All apartments include:
- broadband internet access
- telephone
Computer Labs offer the use of:
- Mac computer labs and stations
- Wacom tablets and pens
- Sony projectors
- Epson scanners
Campus life
MCAD's three-acre campus, which shares a block with the Minneapolis Institute of Art, comprises classrooms, professional facilities, galleries, student housing complexes, artist studios, and a sculpture garden. The modernist Main Building is one of the only buildings in the United States designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Kenzo Tange, and the historical Julia Morrison Memorial Building is more than a century old.
Sports facilities
On-Campus YogaSpa/Health Days
Fitness Center:- Treadmill
- Ellipticals
- Recumbent bike
- Weights and bench
- Exercise balls
- Punching bag
- Life Fitness Multi-Gym
Student clubs
Dance Club anyone? Or Zombie Appreciation Club? Or how about Meditation Homework Club? MCAD is home to an endless list of student clubs, allowing you to get a break from your regular schedule, meet new people, and maybe even learn a few things, too. Oh, and if none of our existing clubs spark your interest, you can always start your own.
MCAD is accredited by associations that review higher education institutions to ensure they meet critical standards:
- The National Association of Schools of Art and Design is an organization of schools, colleges, and universities with 248 accredited institutional members. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials.
- The Higher Learning Commission reviews the colleges and universities of a nineteen-state region. It is one of seven regional accrediting organizations in the country.