In celebration of the School of Visual Arts’ (SVA) landmark 75^th anniversary this year, a New York City Mayoral proclamation has been bestowed upon the College. NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo and SVA President David Rhodes delivered remarks at a private ceremony this week, paying tribute to its impact on Manhattan and the arts community at large since its founding in 1947. This significant honor is one of many ways SVA is recognizing its legacy as a leading arts institution for students from all over the world and local New Yorkers alike.

This fall saw the publishing of a special 75^th anniversary issue of the Visual Arts Journal, SVA’s biannual print publication highlighting its alumni community, which included features on the College’s past, present and future. Additionally, a commemorative poster for the anniversary by famed designer, SVA alumnus and former faculty member Paul Davis (1959 Illustration) graced train platforms across New York City as part of the College’s famous subway poster campaign series. An enlarged version of the poster adorns SVA’s building at 209 E 23^rd Street, and other anniversary banners have been placed on buildings across campus. Proclamations from other local City officials including Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, soon followed, boosting this milestone celebration.

“SVA has long been a destination for some of the world’s most creative minds, who come to the heart of New York City to fulfill their artistic dreams,” said David Rhodes. “We are grateful to the Mayor’s office for honoring the College’s rich cultural heritage and contribution to the city’s vibrant arts community.”

"New York City is a magnet for creative talent from around the globe, and educational institutions like SVA are critical for fostering the next generation of artists and designers," said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. "Congratulations to the School of Visual Arts on 75 years of educating students and serving as a continual source of new energy and ideas in our city's arts community. In recognition of your contributions to our city, I'm proud to join Mayor Adams in proclaiming Friday, December 16th, 2022, in the City of New York as School of Visual Arts Day!"

Founded by Silas Rhodes and Burne Hogarth as the Cartoonists and Illustrators School, the College was officially renamed School of Visual Arts in 1956. Since its inception, SVA has been known for its faculty of New York City-based professionals working in the arts. In addition to its seven academic buildings and four residence halls that stretch from Chelsea to Gramercy, the College also has three public galleries on its campus, including the SVA Chelsea Gallery in the landmark Starrett-Lehigh Building, which host exhibitions of work by students, alumni and renowned guest artists. The SVA Theatre on West 23rd Street in Chelsea serves the arts and entertainment industries and the community at large as a stage for the presentation of noteworthy films, talks and other presentations.

The College is also home to the Milton Glaser Design Study Center and Archives, a unique resource to study the work of the great designers, illustrators and art directors who have taught and studied at SVA. The collections allow visitors to examine the design process from conception to completion, through original sketches, artwork and photographs, as well as the final posters and publications, from more than 20 designers and artists, including Milton Glaser—SVA’s longtime acting chair, creator of the “I Heart NY” logo and faculty for nearly 50 years—Chermayeff & Geismar, George Tscherny, James McMullan and Seymour Chwast.

Comprising over 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students at its NYC campus—including an estimated 2,400 continuing education students—and over 41,000 alumni from 128 countries, SVA represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world.

Some of SVA’s notable alumni include fine artists Keith Haring and KAWS; Steven Universe creator and animator Rebecca Sugar; Marvel Entertainment’s former creative director Joe Quesada; author Pete Hamill; film directors Craig Gillespie and Michael Cuesta; photographers Lorna Simpson and Collier Schorr and designers Gail Anderson and Todd Radom. Exhibitions, guest lectures, symposiums and panels have welcomed such prestigious visitors as Muhammed Ali, Salvador Dali, Meryl Streep and David LaChapelle.

For information about the College’s 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, visit sva.edu.