The Art + Design Department is the largest and one of the most varied publicly funded departments of art and design in Missouri.

The Department is dedicated to providing appropriate curricular and extra-curricular experiences to prepare individuals for professional careers in art, design, art education, and art history. Additionally, the department is dedicated to enhancing student and community understanding of, and engagement with, the visual dimensions of culture for the university and the broader community through the Art + Design Department Gallery, other public venues and collaborative service activities.

The Art + Design Department supports Missouri State University’s overarching mission of producing educated persons through a statewide mission in public affairs with a particular focus on the creative arts as central to that overall mission.