Join a vibrant art community, in the midst of an inspiring outdoor paradise
Art is not just important to us here at UNM, it’s part of us. We teach it, create it, and embrace it. It shapes our identity and even drives our economy.
Whether it’s cast or woven, printed or painted, disruptive, experimental, theoretical or visionary, we have an insatiable love and deep respect for the artist and their practice—and if you do too, we should really talk.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Art & Ecology
Art Education
Art History
Ceramics
Experimental Art & Technology
Painting & Drawing
Photography
Printmaking
Sculpture
AREAS OF
CONCENTRATION:
Animation
Film History & Criticism
Film Production
Gaming
AREAS OF STUDY:
Conducting
Collaborative Piano
Jazz Studies
Music Education
Music Prep School
Musicology
Performance
String Pedagogy
Theory & Composition
Violin Making
AREAS OF STUDY:
Dance
Design & Technology for Performance
Dramatic Writing
Theatre
Stories from the HeART of the Arts in New Mexico
MFA Photography Alumni, Anna Rotty and Brianna Tadeo, Selected for “FORECAST 2025” at SF Camerawork
The Department of Art is thrilled to congratulate MFA Photography alumni Anna Rotty and Brianna Tadeo on the selection of their work for “FORECAST 2025” at SF Camerawork!
What the land knows: the Radical Art ▽ Ecology Lab (RAVEL) in and around Los Alamos
The UNM Department of Art’s RAVEL Lab was featured in a recent e-flux journal article by Brian Karl. Published on June 13, 2025, as part of e-flux Education’s mid-June focus on U.S. institutions across the South and Southwest, the feature spotlights the RAVEL Lab within Art & Ecology program at The University of New Mexico.
Covington-Rhode Senior Prize Winners: Viola Murphy and Josiah Garza
The UNM Department of Art is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Covington-Rhode Senior Prize.
THE STRATEGIC PLAN
FOR THE UNM COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
THE HEART OF THE ARTS IN NEW MEXICO
Explore the guiding vision, mission, values, goals.
objectives and tactics that inform the work we do.
Explore The Arts!
Stay up-to-date with upcoming events in art, film & digital arts, music, and theatre & dance via the CFA Events Calendar! In addition to our scholarly pursuits, the College of Fine Arts is also a dynamic visual & performing arts center for the burgeoning arts community of Albuquerque.
Produced by our creative students and faculty, the College of Fine Arts proudly presents over 300 public performances, exhibitions, installations & art discussions annually.
CFA by the Numbers
• Top 8 in the nation in Photography
• The only place in the US to earn a concentration in Flamenco
• The only college at UNM with a fund dedicated to studying abroad
• 64% of CFA grads find jobs before or within 4 months of graduation
• 100% Music Education job placement
• Best American cities for creatives – Thrillist
• Diverse culture – 94% of students had a conversation with people different from themselves
• The top state for fine artists
• The #3 State for actors
• The #15 State for Musicians
—NEA Ranks
Undergraduate Degrees
Full-Time Faculty
%
of Students Receive Financial Aid
Days of Sunshine Per Year
A Message From The Dean
“I am honored and excited to serve as the Dean for the College of Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico, it is my goal to work with the talented faculty, staff and students of the CFA to positively impact the region, and empower all underrepresented people of the state. Additionally, I am looking forward to the CFA being an active partner in supporting the success of President Stokes’ Grand Challenge Initiative, helping make our school a destination university.
—Harris D. Smith, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Professor, Dept. of Theatre & Dance
UNM College of Fine Arts’ Statement of Solidarity and Anti-Racism
How to Apply
• All students must be admitted to the University, whether as an incoming freshman, transfer student, or non-degree student. Apply online through the Admissions Department at UNM
•After meeting all CFA admission requirements, students must apply to become a declared major.
Academic Advisement
The College of Fine Arts Student Success & Advisement Center is committed to serve the UNM community with compassion, guidance, and respect as we promote academic excellence.
To speak with a CFA advisor, please call (505) 277-4817.