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 Features Rebecca Sugar
04:31

Known for creating popular animation shows such as ‘Steven Universe,’ Rebecca Sugar (BFA 2009 Animation) has tapped into their musical side for a new career evolution.

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.

Item 1 of 5
An illustration of three individuals standing in a hallway lit with red lighting, each person is wearing a jail jumpsuit and looks surprised
Item 2 of 5
A photo of a white car with a firework sprinkling down around it from its roof
Item 3 of 5
a black and white watercolor style illustration of people and figures dancing
Item 4 of 5
A woman stands engulfed in a plastic American flag with holes in it raising her fist
Item 5 of 5
a digital illustration of a woman raising her fist and the word "vote" above her
Micah Sanders
@micah_ers

A still from BFA Animation student Micah Sanders’s thesis film Can I Please Have A Waffle?, which is now live on YouTube here. Sanders is featured in our interview with first-generation college students and graduates from the SVA community. Happy National First-Generation College Celebration Day! Via @micah_ers.

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


LAURIE CUMBO

Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, New York City