Memphis College of Art

Memphis College of Art was a private college of art and design in Memphis, Tennessee, with a history that began in 1936. The institution operated in Overton Park and served students seeking undergraduate and graduate education in studio art, design, and art education. Its academic offerings included Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees, a Master of Fine Arts program, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and graduate work in art education, giving it a role that extended from professional studio training to teacher preparation.

The college’s work centered on specialized arts instruction and public cultural engagement in the Memphis region. Its programs included majors such as animation, graphic design, illustration, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and filmmaking, reflecting a broad commitment to visual arts practice and design disciplines. Memphis College of Art also maintained galleries and presented exhibitions and events that connected student and faculty work with the wider community.