Minneapolis College of Art and Design

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) stands as a beacon of creative education, fostering artistic talent since its founding in 1886. This private institution, led by President Gwendolyn Freed and serving approximately 800 students, boasts an endowment of $0.1 billion, supporting a vibrant and dynamic learning environment for aspiring artists and designers.

MCAD's rich history began as the Minneapolis School of Fine Arts, with its inaugural class held in a rented downtown apartment. Under the early leadership of figures like Douglas Volk and later Robert Koehler, who developed much of the curriculum known today as art education, the school quickly evolved. By 1910, its focus broadened to applied arts, prompting a name change to the Minneapolis School of Art. This continuous adaptation to the evolving landscape of art and design education is a hallmark of MCAD's enduring legacy.

The college's physical home has grown as dramatically as its curriculum. After several moves, including sharing space with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MCAD moved into its own dedicated Julia Morrison Memorial Building in 1916. Recognizing its expanded offerings in both fine and liberal arts, the school was renamed the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1970. Further emphasizing its commitment to contemporary education, MCAD expanded into a building designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning modernist architect Kenzo Tange in 1974, providing state-of-the-art facilities for its burgeoning student body.

Becoming a wholly independent institution in 1988, MCAD solidified its unique identity and mission. Today, it remains a forward-thinking hub for creativity, where students can explore diverse disciplines and prepare for impactful careers in the arts. With an engaged academic community, including a faculty unionized in 2016, MCAD continues to shape the future of art and design.