Student Opportunities

Engage with other artists

Life as an art and design student is what you make of it. From student organizations to internship and education abroad opportunities, you'll have endless possibilities.

  • Art and Design students in Pisa, Italy

  • Art Education students at Frijoles Canyon in Bandolier National Monument, NM

  • Clayworks Raku demonstration at Japanese Fall Festival, 2017

  • Education Abroad students at Gyeongbokgung Palace, South Korea

  • Art and Design in Florence, at San Miniato al Monte

The Department of Art and Design sponsors a wealth of opportunities for students who want to gain hands-on experience and to explore the breadth of their fields, including
  • Internships
  • Exhibitions of art and research
  • Service-Learning courses
  • Volunteer and Docent programs affiliated with local museums
  • Public presentations
  • Intercollegiate symposia
  • Participation in professional conferences
  • Publication in the University's journal of undergraduate research

Please see a major advisor in your area for more information.

Education Abroad opportunities

Exhibition venues

Virtual Juried Exhibition for High School Students prospectus

Student organizations

Engage, interact and make a difference during your time in the art and design department.

  • Arts in Motion “aims” to provide a creative commune for students interested in the art and production of animation to network, learn new skills, and wind down.
  • Clayworks: Love ceramics? Interested in joining a group of students who love ceramics too? Please, sign up to know more about Clayworks! (our student-led ceramics organization). You’ll learn about meetings and opportunities to sell your work, go to this year’s NCECA conference, and more. 
  • American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA): The goal of AIGA is to get students involved in the local design community, create a community of their own and help them build leadership skills that will be valuable as they move into the professional world. Missouri State’s AIGA student group is affiliated with the national AIGA organization, and works directly with the St. Louis and Kansas City AIGA Chapters. 
  • Missouri State University Graduate Students in Visual Studies is a dedicated organization to students currently enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts in Visual Studies program, and alumni of the Master of Fine Arts in Visual Studies program. The organization aims to create a space for a creative community through collaboration, group experiences, and community outreach. 
  • The goal of the Jewelry Students Association is to encourage a greater awareness of historical context and contemporary developments in the field of jewelry and metals among Missouri State University art students. It is also our intention to facilitate members' involvement in the metals field and to demonstrate our abilities and achievements to the Springfield community, thereby enriching lives with art.
  • Museum Studies and Art History Club: It is the goal of this organization to increase the knowledge and understanding of Museum Studies and Art History within both the university and the community. 
  • National Art Education Association: We are the Missouri State University Chapter of the NAEA, open to current Art and Design students. We help with networking and the development of skills for future Art Educators.
  • Sculpture Club: A place to gather sculpture students so they can learn and discuss the process. 
  • Students in Design (SiD) was created in order to enhance the education of Graphic Design and Illustration students, as well as instill values of teamwork, community involvement, and self-improvement in its members. Through field trips, visiting artists, exhibitions, workshops, department-wide activities, and fund-raisers, we hope to increase the awareness and involvement of our members in their education, in their future profession, and in the global visual culture. We also hope to contribute positively to the visual culture directly through service work for the community and our public exhibitions.