Maryland Institute College of Art
MICA has become the leader in the education of artists and designers by fostering a community of talented, creative individuals committed to redefining the boundaries of art and design and to expanding their own vision and perspective through rigorous study. Founded in 1826, MICA is the oldest continuously degree-granting college of art in the nation, and ranked in the top 10 of MFA programs in the visual arts by US News & World Report. Our innovative curriculum, state of the art campus, and world-class faculty all have a single purpose: to provide the experiences and resources needed to prepare the creative visionaries who will lead in the 21st century.
Accepts first-year applicationsMid-AtlanticPrivateUrbanSmall (2,000 and under)Co-Ed
Academic programs
- Design
- Education
- Art & Design
- Visual Arts
Student experience
- Co-op/Internship Opportunities
- Disability Services
- On-Campus Housing
- Study Abroad
Application information
First-year
MICA’s innovative curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities and world-class faculty come together to support a single purpose: provide a no-holds-barred education and experience that will prepare you to be a creative leader in the 21st century. Visit our Undergraduate Admission page for up to date information on deadlines and requirements.
Transfer
We welcome transfer students from all backgrounds and are committed to helping you make a smooth transition into the MICA community. If you have graduated from high school (or earned your GED) and earned at least 12 or up to 60 credits in post-high school college courses at a regionally accredited two-year community college or four-year college or university, you'll apply to MICA as a transfer student. Visit our Transfer Admission page for more information on deadlines and requirements.
Image gallery
Visit us
Virtual tours and events, online portfolio reviews and meetings, as well as on campus tours – we have multiple ways for you to learn more about MICA! Visit our Events Page to register.
MICA’s urban campus, located in Baltimore’s historic Bolton Hill neighborhood, has been thoughtfully designed to support your need to experiment, create, and seek change. Located at the heart of the city’s cultural district, MICA encompasses over one million square feet of academic, residential, and exhibition spaces—all supported by multi-use performance theaters, cafes, green sanctuaries, independent studios, and every kind of maker space imaginable. A mix of both award-winning new construction and repurposed historic buildings, these spaces ultimately form a connected, holistic creative environment that will empower you as an artist or designer.
MICA’s urban campus, located in Baltimore’s historic Bolton Hill neighborhood, has been thoughtfully designed to support your need to experiment, create, and seek change. Located at the heart of the city’s cultural district, MICA encompasses over one million square feet of academic, residential, and exhibition spaces—all supported by multi-use performance theaters, cafes, green sanctuaries, independent studios, and every kind of maker space imaginable. A mix of both award-winning new construction and repurposed historic buildings, these spaces ultimately form a connected, holistic creative environment that will empower you as an artist or designer.
MICA’s flexibility and vast amount of programming has ultimately shaped me into the poly-disciplinary artist I am today. It’s a place where I felt seen as a working, emerging artist, not just a student. A school that prioritized not only my studio practice, but also my interiority, wellbeing, and dreams.