Nashville’s Academy of Make Up Arts (AMUA) was founded in 2008 to keep up with increasing demand for highly skilled makeup artists and wig designers as Hollywood moves more of its productions to the South. The school makes a year-round commitment to providing its students with a complete education in their chosen field. We focus on providing the hands-on learning opportunities and practical experience developing makeup artists require to hone their craft, along with guidance on how to navigate the pitfalls of working as a freelancer in the industry. The combination of an AMUA certification or diploma, portfolio and the connections students make through their time in our program help students get their foot in the door of a highly-competitive industry.

We offer instructional programs in beauty makeup, special effects, hair and wig design. Not only are our instructors State-approved, they’re composed of some of the entertainment industry’s top talent. They include an Emmy Award-winning special effects makeup artist, wig designers with decades of experience in live theatre and opera, and photographers whose work has appeared in the world’s top fashion magazines.

Our 6,000 square foot facility is located just ten minutes from downtown Nashville, and includes an SFX lab, Wig & Design lab, makeup shop, photography space, beauty studio, library and more. Visit Our Facilities page to a virtual tour of the campus and have a look around.

In addition to our core programming, we also offer continuing education courses and summer programs. AMUA’s various workshops throughout the year are also open to students, alumni and the public.