In 1999, Pratt Institute and the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute (now, Munson) established what was originally known as PrattMWP College of Art and Design, and today is Pratt Munson. This collaboration offers students a unique art college experience that combines the strengths of two renowned institutions.
Munson, founded in 1919, was established by three generations of a philanthropic Utica family with the goal to establish a center for art, music, and community engagement. The Munson School of Art began in 1941, and in 1948, the state of New York Education Department granted Munson the authority to confer bachelor of fine arts degrees.
The School of Art at Munson always prioritized providing students with a strong foundation in visual arts, preparing them for further education at esteemed art schools nationwide. Recognizing the caliber of students emerging from Munson, Pratt Institute saw an opportunity to collaborate. With a guaranteed and seamless transition to Pratt's Brooklyn campus in their junior year, this partnership allows students a clear pathway to earn their BFA degree at one of the world's renowned art colleges.
The collaboration between Pratt and Munson is rooted in a shared commitment to foundational education and artistic excellence. In addition to benefiting from Pratt's renowned curriculum, students at Pratt Munson have access to the distinguished Munson Museum of Art and Performing Arts programs, further enriching their educational experience. This partnership provides students with a unique and comprehensive art education, bridging the legacy of two esteemed institutions.
