Did the walls of Minneapolis College of Art and Design always hum with creative energy? Standing here, before this urban campus, it’s easy to feel the current of artistic innovation. Minneapolis College of Art and Design, or MCAD as it’s affectionately known, began its life in 1886. It was then known as the Minneapolis School of Fine Arts. The first classes, with twenty-six of the twenty-eight students being women, were held in a rented downtown apartment. Imagine those early days, filled with the promise of artistic expression.
By 1889, the school found a home on the top floor of the Minneapolis Public Library. This marked a step towards permanence and growth. A few years later, Robert Koehler became president. He shaped the curriculum. He laid the foundation for what we recognize today as art education. The school evolved, adding night classes and a summer term, reaching out to the community. The name changed to the Minneapolis School of Art in 1910. This reflected a growing focus on applied arts.
The Minneapolis College of Art and Design moved to its current location in 1915. The campus sits on land that was once the Villa Rosa estate. This estate belonged to Dorilus Morrison, the first mayor of Minneapolis. The college initially shared space with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. However, in 1916, MCAD moved into its own building. This was the Julia Morrison Memorial Building, designed by the architect Edwin Hawley Hewitt. The building provided dedicated studio spaces, skylights flooding the rooms with natural light, and workshops for hands-on learning.
MCAD continued to expand. In 1974, it moved into a new building. This one was designed by the renowned architect Kenzo Tange. The college’s name officially changed to Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1970. This reflected the broadening scope of the curriculum. MCAD became fully independent in 1988, separating from the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts. This marked a significant milestone in its history. Even in recent times, MCAD has seen changes. In 2016, the faculty unionized. Minneapolis College of Art and Design remains a vibrant center for artistic exploration. It offers a variety of programs. It nurtures the creativity of its 800 students. It stands as a testament to the power of art and design.