The Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) is a 16-acre, park-like, city campus situated between the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, in vibrant midtown Kansas City, Missouri. Our expansive studios provide the perfect playground for material exploration and a safe environment to take artistic risks. Students are supported by our dedicated faculty of practicing artists and scholars, who will guide you in bringing your ideas to life. Founded in 1885, KCAI offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 13 majors. Students can choose from 11 studio majors, art history, and creative writing, along with two minors in Entrepreneurial Studies and Social Practice and a certificate program in Asian Studies.

At KCAI you will find a collaborative environment that facilitates multidisciplinary experiences and challenges preconceived ideas. You will also have full access to a state-of-the-art fabrication lab; which allows us to provide instruction on the most innovative processes in art and design, advancing our students’ making capabilities. We seek ambitious students who are interested in pushing the technical and conceptual boundaries of what they do, while simultaneously invigorating the development of work that is sound both in craft and in content. We welcome you to apply and invite you to visit campus, meet our students and faculty, and discover the spirit of community and collaboration that exists at KCAI.