Stamps School of Art & Design—University of Michigan

The Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan

The Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan is a tight-knit community situated within a tier-one research university. We are global citizens, collaborators, and innovators. We apply our creative skills in service of the greater good. And we're so happy you're here.

Who we are—and why
The Stamps School is strongly positioned to deliver a research-based, transdisciplinary curriculum with diversity, equity, and inclusion at the heart of who we are and what we do. Skilled makers, we create work about a world that we seek to understand deeply with nuance and complexity. We reimagine the role of creative practice in research. We collaborate across academic disciplines and with community groups outside of the university. Grounded in engaged practice, we are committed to work that makes a difference in our communities and our world. We are agents of change—shaping culture and shifting the future.

Leaders in curriculum innovation
Stamps was one of the first art and design schools in the world to institute a transdisciplinary curriculum of self-directed study for undergraduate students. Our curriculum builds both conceptual and technical skills that allow students to move freely among media and leave them better-equipped for fast-changing labor markets. Undergraduate students work with their academic advisors, faculty mentors, and the Stamps Curriculum Designer to curate a customized collection of studio classes to support their unique creative vision. Stamps undergraduate students are well-versed in a wide variety of creation methods—with many opportunities to dive deep into academic pursuits that fuel and inform their creative work. There are no media-specific majors in the undergraduate program. Career preparation, engaged practice coursework, and required study abroad credits are vital hallmarks of the Stamps undergraduate experience.

Programs at Stamps
Employers in the 21^st century need smart, creative people who see beyond traditional boundaries. Art and design are at their best when concept and media work hand-in-hand. That’s why we offer an art and design education that will prepare you for anything. While many schools still focus majors around specific media, we have one comprehensive major for Stamps undergraduate students: Art and Design. The creative dexterity offered by the curriculum and the academic rigor of a U-M education is your competitive edge. The School offers four innovative undergraduate degree programs with this unique approach: BFA, BA, BFA in Interarts Performance, and Dual/Joint Degree. U-M students may also choose to minor in Art & Design.