# Missouri Fine Arts Academy The Missouri Fine Arts Academy (MFAA) is a two-week summer residential program for highly motivated high school student artists, held on the Springfield campus of Missouri State University — May 31–June 13 in 2026. Over 100 student artists from high schools throughout Missouri train in five discipline areas: visual arts/mixed media, theatre, dance, creative writing, and music (instrumental and vocal). Tuition for MFAA 2026 was free, covered by the State of Missouri together with privately supported scholarships. ## What You'll Do - Study your primary discipline with academy faculty in an immersive residential setting - Collaborate across art forms in the academy's interdisciplinary curriculum - Create and share new work with a statewide community of student artists - Live on the Missouri State campus for two weeks ## Who Should Apply Current high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors serious about growing as artists. The application includes an essay of about 500 words on how the arts impact your life, an evaluation from a teacher, counselor, or other school official, and a digital portfolio (visual artists and writers) or video performance (theatre, dance, and music students) demonstrating technical skill and artistic expression. Applications are accepted annually from October through January. ## Outcomes Participants complete an intensive, interdisciplinary arts residency at no tuition cost, leave with new portfolio or performance work and a statewide peer network, and gain experience working with college arts faculty on a university campus.