From Artists to Professionals, From Creative to Career
Transform your passion into purpose in Nashville's creative community.
Learn from experienced faculty with incredible industry experience and professional connections while you create work that matters in state-of-the-art facilities. Here, small class sizes mean individualized attention — faculty know your name and your work.
Explore multiple disciplines, complete multiple internships and develop your artistic voice alongside practicing artists, designers and scholars. We instill an entrepreneurial mindset through real-world experiences, intentional programming and a close-knit community that challenges you to be your best.
Watkins College of Art
By the Numbers
Find Your Fit
Study what you love while you build the career you dream of. Here, you'll get the chance to explore the intersections of all your interests with the flexibility to customize your path.
Explore by Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) | Bachelor of Arts (BA) | Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Art That Transforms
Alumni Spotlight: Anna Ramsey, Watkins alumna, earned Campaign's inaugural Spark Award, recognizing emerging creative talent making an impact in the industry.
National Recognition
Watkins College of Art is a top design school in the U.S., according to GDUSA. Our illustration program was ranked No. 1 in Tennessee and in the top 50 in the U.S., according to Animation Career Review.
Our design department brings home ADDY Awards every year at the local, regional and national levels. Most recently, our design students won first place at the Design it Forward 2025 competition. Nine students were honored through the prestigious Graphis New Talent Annual 2025, and several photography students were selected for international exhibitions.
These rankings reflect our students' incredible success professionally and in national and international competitions.
We encourage students to think boldly, design smart and create with meaning.
Professional Success
Our professors' industry experience and connections set our programs apart, opening doors to exceptional internship placements and endless study abroad opportunities. Through thesis and senior exhibitions, community outreach and real-world projects, you'll build an industry-ready portfolio that leads to our high job placement rates. We also provide scholarship opportunities for students to earn seed funding to launch their creative ventures.
From first place at Design it Forward 2025 to recognition in Graphis New Talent Annual and international photography exhibitions, our students' work commands attention nationwide.
Our high job placement rate reflects the professional preparation, industry connections and entrepreneurial mindset we cultivate in every student.
At Watkins, you learn about art and design from professionals who live it. Their connections open doors to internship opportunities and real-world projects that prepare you for your career.
More Than a College — It's a Community
At Watkins, creativity, character and community go hand in hand. Our close-knit environment provides the individualized attention and support you need to push your boundaries.
Marina Ibrahim
Illustration
"Watkins helped me build the courage to push the boundaries of my art. I am creating things that I would have never imagined myself creating even just a year or two ago. I am no longer afraid to try something new or even absurd."
Abby Connolly
Experiential Design
Designer at Ramsey Solutions
"I'd describe Watkins as warm, authentic and creative. There's encouragement to ask questions and a willingness to help from both peers and professors. It's exciting to be around — there's so much momentum happening at Belmont. The school exposes you to all types of creatives and doesn't put a cap on that creativity."
Step into Watkins College of Art's annual Art Crawl, where Belmont University students take center stage to showcase their creativity and artistic vision.
Join Emily Henegar, a Belmont University Entrepreneurship alumna and Nashville-based cookie designer, as she shares her journey from a young girl with a sweet tooth to a thriving entrepreneur.
An exclusive Belmont University experience away from Nashville, Belmont USA allows you to continue academic coursework for your undergraduate degree while gaining hands-on experience in a variety of cities across the United States.
Stories from Watkins College
Take the next steps with us
Your journey at the Watkins College of Art begins here.