Art and Design

The College of Fine and Applied Arts is home to 580 graduate students pursuing master and doctoral degrees in the arts. We are honored to have them here learning, teaching, researching, AND building, dancing, and making among us. Happy Graduate Student Appreciation Week!

The Humanities Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has awarded its annual Faculty and Graduate Student Fellowships to seven faculty members and seven graduate students from the campus for the 2025–26 academic year, including two faculty members from FAA and one graduate student.

Aditi Khandelwal, an Art student at the University of Illinois, shares her experience from the opening night of Krannert Art Museum’s latest exhibition, “Making Place for the Arts at Home: Performance and Midcentury Modern Architecture.” As she explores the exhibition, she reflects on the intersection of art, architecture, dance and music - highlighting the holistic approach of The College of Fine and Applied Arts- and how she felt a sense of community and representation as an artist. "As an art student, I feel an undeniable sense of connection to the community this exhibition created. The exhibition is a space where people from all backgrounds and all artistic disciplines come together, proving that art is not just something we create, but something we share."  Read more in The Illinois News Bureau

The Krannert Art Museum is currently featuring an exhibition that showcases the woven artworks of Dot Replinger. Replinger's pieces are known for their intricate patterns and vibrant colors, reflecting her deep engagement with textile art. The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to explore the depth and creativity of Replinger's woven works, highlighting her contributions to contemporary art. A recent article written by Krannert Art Museum Director, Jon Seydl, explores Replinger's work more thoroughly: "Her monumental weavings stand among the most significant sculptural textiles from the mid- to late 20th century in the U.S., and her custom clothing remains widespread in our community." Read More in The News Gazette "Making Place for the Arts at Home: Performance and Midcentury Modern Architecture" is on view through July 12, 2025. Part of the exhibition is available online at kam.illinois.edu/midcentury. View architectural sketches and detailed plans, historical photographs of area homes and studios, plus beautiful reproductions of 150 pages from Dot Replinger’s sketchbooks. Krannert Art Museum is open Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Thursday until 8 p.m., when classes are in session.

The Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute (IHSI) announced the awarded projects for their 2025 Summer Community-Academic Scholars Program. Three projects will be led by FAA staff and faculty.

Dimension 2024, the College of Fine and Applied Arts' annual magazine, was released this month and mailed out to over 37,000 college alumni and friends.

October is National Arts and Humanities Month, a celebration that recognizes the vital role the arts and humanities play in enriching our lives and communities. This month, we’re excited to highlight the exceptional work of our faculty, whose creativity, research, and dedication inspire students and elevate the cultural landscape. Today we celebrate Catalina Alzate, a professor of graphic design in the School of Art and Design!

Two students from the Fine and Applied College have been appointed to Illinois Homecoming Court. Andres Vazquez is pursuing a degree in Urban Studies and Planning with a minor in Environmental Economics and Law. Jasmin Aquino is studying Studio Art with a concentration in Fashion, in the College of Fine and Applied Arts.

Read more here.

The School of Art and Design is seeking funding for a significant renovation and facilities expansion project that will improve student and faculty experience.