The MFA Painting program is a contemporary painting program that encourages an intensive studio practice, experimentation, risk taking & an understanding of current & historic art practices & cultural dialogues. Students work to find connections between painting and the larger questions and issues prevalent in the world today. Critical creative research and interdisciplinarity are encouraged alongside deep understanding of the painting medium. Our program is housed within a top public research university, which allows our students access to the widest variety of scholars in disciplines across campus. In addition, graduate students in the Painting area directly engage with the local and regional art community. Students are exposed to museums, galleries, and artist studios in Denver and the surrounding region.<br>Working closely with this community allows for feedback and creative engagement that foster the highest level of creative growth. Most students in the MFA program in painting are given first-hand experience teaching at the University level. This provides them with the skills needed to apply for teaching positions in academia.<br><br>As a terminal degree in the field, our graduates leave with a sense of direction for their practice and all the skills necessary to thrive in professional art fields.