School of Visual Arts

White monkeys, illustrated, seated on branches draped in red fabric while snow falls in the foreground; An illustration of white monkeys setting on branches draped in red fabric;
A student dressed in black making a point while students sit in the foreground and background. A student dressed in black making a point while students sit in the foreground and background.
A young woman illustrated with white hair holding a staff with a crescent moon on the end, surrounded by trees and nature. A young woman with white hair holding a staff with a crescent moon on the end, surrounded by trees and nature.
A design for a new font done on paper, scribbled up with feedback in red ink. A design for a new font done on paper, scribbled up with feedback in red ink.
Two separate groups of three people inside of a print shop. One group is having a conversation around a table while the other is around a large print plotter. Two separate groups of three people inside of a print shop. One group is having a conversation around a table while the other is around a large print plotter.
The latin alphabet rendered in a 3 dimensional typeface. The latin alphabet rendered in a 3 dimensional typeface.
The earth, brightly illustrated, with a pink ring around it and a series of other wacky things happening around it. The earth, brightly illustrated, with a pink ring around it and a series of other wacky things happening around it.
A close up of a person adjusting an image inside of a physical photo enlarger. A close up of a person adjusting an image inside of a physical photo enlarger.

Accelerate Your Ingenuity

Accelerate Your Critical Thinking

Accelerate Your Artistic Awakening

Accelerate Your Professional Growth

Accelerate Your Collaboration Skills

Accelerate Your Inventiveness

Accelerate Your Creativity

Accelerate Your Creative Vision

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The 3rd Avenue and East 23rd Street Corner Signs with an official “SVA Way” sign underneath (Left); The 23rd Street building with two SVA NYC banners hanging above as students walk below.

Welcome to our urban campus, a slice of New York City life.

A subway station poster with an illustration of a pencil shaving and the words “Stay Sharp (left); Four different posters made by SVA Faculty over the years.

“Stay Sharp” (2024) poster by Riccardo Vecchio on a subway platform (left); more SVA subway posters by (clockwise from top right) Peter Hristoff, Marshall Arisman, Gary Panter and Carol Fabricatore.

Students reading at a round table with shelves of books around them (left); A student working on a painting on the wall while another works at a desk.

Interior of SVA Library (left); students working in a classroom facility.

A skyline showcasing differently sized buildings, some made of brick, others made of concrete.

New York City skyline as seen from the 23rd Street Residence, which exclusively houses first-year students.

An archival picture of students listening to a lecture (left); Two people observing a drawing at a desk.

An SVA drawing class circa 1960, courtesy of SVA Archives.

We are School of Visual Arts

SVA is a leader in the education of artists, designers and creative professionals.

By the Numbers

75+

Years Educating

Artists

56

Countries

Represented

46

States

Represented

30

Degree-Granting

Programs

1,544

Course 

Offerings

35

Extracurricular

Clubs

9:1

Student-to-Faculty

Ratio

43,000

Global Alumni

Community

SVA Subway Series Melinda Beck
02:31

SVA Subway Poster designer and faculty member Melinda Beck finds inspiration in graffiti and the worlds artists create. Beck is an award-winning illustrator, animator and graphic designer known for her vivid style and who has works in the Library of Congress’s permanent collection.

Spotlight
SVA Galleries
Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers
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Our Impact

There’s no place like SVA: an integral element of the Big Apple and the anchor point of a far-reaching global community.

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a group of people at a conference with orange screens behind them
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a dark cathedral-style room with a video installation projected on all three walls
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Two women stand next to each other on stage, the woman on the right is holding an award
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two photos of students at an exhibition opening posing in front of the wall text and pointing at an image of a window hung on the wall
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a 3d image of an ancient sculpture of a home with two floors and people in it

BFA Interior Design: Built Environments alumni Andreina Figueira (2018) and Christine Marsigliano (2019) were nominated by Interior Design Magazine for this year's top 30 interior designers under the age of 30. Last month, they celebrated their nominations at an event with other recognized 30 under 30 design professionals.

There is no creative culture of New York City without SVA.


LAURIE CUMBO

Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, New York City