Application Process
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
- Have completed at least a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have demonstrable focus and motivation through a portfolio of work
- Be able to commit to full-time program in Seattle for the duration of the program - we are not, at this time, able to sponsor student or work visas for foreign applicants
Atelier students will be selected by our faculty, who will evaluate candidates based on a holistic assessment of their portfolio, written statements, and interviews. The Masters Atelier is committed to building a diverse cohort of students that represents a range of identities, experiences, and perspectives. It is the policy of the Masters Atelier not to discriminate against individuals based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership, pregnancy, age, religion or belief, national origin, or disability in the administration of its admissions policies, educational policies, employment practices, scholarship programs, and other Academy-related activities.
Please note that at this time, our 3-story building is not equipped with an elevator and our atelier program is located on the second floor. If you have a disability that does not allow for the navigation of stairs, our facility limitations will currently not allow us to accommodate you.
Application Materials
A complete application consists of:
- A portfolio of 5-10 examples of your best representational drawings or paintings from the past 2-3 years. Submit high-quality digital images (up to 3MB each)
- Artist statement giving a brief description of any previous educational experience, as well as what you hope to achieve through your study at the Masters Atelier
- Two letters of recommendation from previous teachers or mentors
Timeline and Deadlines
Applications for the 2025-2026 inaugural drawing and painting programs must be received on or before March 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm PST. Late or incomplete submissions will be put on a wait list. Applications will be reviewed by our artistic committee. Applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview either in person or via Zoom. Interviews must be scheduled and completed before April 20. 2025. Notice of final acceptance or denial will be sent by April 25, 2025. Accepted students must sign and return their official offer by May 1, 2025, or their position may be forfeit and offered to another applicant. Students are expected to be in the studios ready for the first day of the trimester on October 6, 2025. A studio tour will be offered for those who wish to attend on October 1, 2025 and a welcome party will be held the night of Friday, October 3 for all incoming students.
Application Deadline - March 31, 2025
In order to be accepted into our Painting Program, artists must have either graduated through our first-year Drawing Program or some other atelier drawing program, or display through their work a strong foundational understanding of drawing principles.
Drawing Program Application: APPLY NOW
Painting Program Application: APPLY NOW
The admissions timeline is as follows:
- January 1, 2025: Applications are open
- March 31, 2025: Application deadline
- April 1-15, 2025: Applicants will be contacted to schedule an in-person or Zoom interview. Interviews must be completed before April 20, 2025
- April 25, 2025 - Applicants will be notified via email of their denial or acceptance
- May 1, 2025: offer must be signed and returned to the MAA
- October 1, 2025: Studio tour
- October 3, 2025: Opening Reception Party for incoming students
- October 6, 2025: Atelier begins
There are a limited number of spaces available, and enrollment is competitive. Therefore, we encourage all students to apply before the stated deadlines. Late applications will be held on a waitlist and considered based on space availability.
2025-26 Academic School Year Calendar
- Fall trimester: October 6 - December 12, 2025 (11 weeks)
- Break - December 13, 2025 - January 4, 2026 (3 weeks)
- Winter Trimester: January 5 - March 20, 2026 (11 weeks)
- Break - March 21 - 29 (1 week)
- Spring trimester: March 30 - June 5, 2026 (11 weeks)
