From Artists to Professionals, From Creative to Career
Transform your passion into purpose in Nashville's creative community.
Learn from experienced faculty with incredible industry experience and professional connections while you create work that matters in state-of-the-art facilities. Here, small class sizes mean individualized attention — faculty know your name and your work.
Explore multiple disciplines, complete multiple internships and develop your artistic voice alongside practicing artists, designers and scholars. We instill an entrepreneurial mindset through real-world experiences, intentional programming and a close-knit community that challenges you to be your best.
National Recognition
Watkins College of Art is a top design school in the U.S., according to GDUSA. Our illustration program was ranked No. 1 in Tennessee and in the top 50 in the U.S., according to Animation Career Review.
Our design department brings home ADDY Awards every year at the local, regional and national levels. Most recently, our design students won first place at the Design it Forward 2025 competition. Nine students were honored through the prestigious Graphis New Talent Annual 2025, and several photography students were selected for international exhibitions.
These rankings reflect our students' incredible success professionally and in national and international competitions.
More Than a College — It's a Community
At Watkins, creativity, character and community go hand in hand. Our close-knit environment provides the individualized attention and support you need to push your boundaries.
Marina Ibrahim
Illustration
"Watkins helped me build the courage to push the boundaries of my art. I am creating things that I would have never imagined myself creating even just a year or two ago. I am no longer afraid to try something new or even absurd."
Abby Connolly
Experiential Design
Designer at Ramsey Solutions
"I'd describe Watkins as warm, authentic and creative. There's encouragement to ask questions and a willingness to help from both peers and professors. It's exciting to be around — there's so much momentum happening at Belmont. The school exposes you to all types of creatives and doesn't put a cap on that creativity."
Stories from Watkins College
Take the next steps with us
Your journey at the Watkins College of Art begins here.