Launched in Fall 2019, Washington University in St. Louis’ MFA in Illustration and Visual Culture (IVC) program offers students a multidisciplinary illustration education that not only aims to develop their illustration practice but also the research and critical analysis skills necessary for academia. The IVC program required curriculum includes over studio courses and research seminars, as well two Special Collections courses taught by Washington University Libraries staff. As the program has developed, the Special Collections courses have adapted to better complement and connect to the rest of the IVC program. This paper will provide an overview of this curriculum development as well as the challenges and successes of this instruction from the perspective of the library faculty.