Maryland Institute College of Art

Acknowledged nationally as a premier leader in art and design education, MICA is deliberately cultivating a new generation of artist – one that is capable of seamlessly integrating innovation, entrepreneurship and creative citizenship with contemporary approaches to art, design and media.

MICA is redefining the role of the artists and designers as creative, solutions-oriented makers and thinkers who will drive social, cultural, and economic advancement for our future.

As the oldest continuously degree-granting college of art and design in the nation, MICA is located in Baltimore, deeply connected to the community. It is a leading contributor to the creative economy regionally and a top producer of nationally and internationally recognized professional artists and designers.

Our vision is audacious. Our mission is bold.

Our Mission and Vision statements and our Tenets are an authentic reflection of MICA as we are today and what we aspire to be going forward.

A Thoughtful Process

MICA's new Mission, Vision, and Tenets were approved by the Board of Trustees on May 22, 2017.

The entire MICA community—alumni, faculty, parents, staff, students, and trustees—were engaged in rearticulating our Mission and Vision Statements, and generating the philosophy underpinning them and the new Tenets. The inclusive process involved convenings, small group discussions, open surveys, and individual conversations. We also sought input from external stakeholders in various fields. The steering committee was co-led by the president and chair of the Faculty Executive Committee. This full engagement has ensured that the outcomes are thoughtful and, importantly, an authentic reflection of MICA as we are today and what we aspire to be going forward.

The Mission statement expresses MICA's fundamental rationale for existence. Our Vision describes the long-range change that inspires our Mission. And our Tenets undergird MICA's culture, personality, and actions.