Visit
Visiting SVA
Information on upcoming virtual events can be found below. Please note, at this time all in-person tours and on-campus events are suspended due to COVID-19.
Virtual Events
Open Houses
On three dates in the fall, prospective undergraduate students and their families have an opportunity to meet with the president of the College, the chair of each undergraduate department being showcased that day, current SVA students and members of the administrative staff.
*Prospective students who attend an SVA Open House event will receive an application fee waiver if they apply for Early Action by December 1.
Saturday, October 31, 2020 | Register
- Fine Arts
Saturday, November 7, 2020 | Register
- Cartooning
- Computer Art, Computer Animation & VFX
- Illustration
- Interior Design: Built Environments
- Visual & Critical Studies
Saturday, November 14, 2020 | Register
- Advertising
- Animation
- Design
- Film
- Photography and Video
Live Virtual Campus Tours
Prospective students are invited to join us for live virtual tours conducted by current SVA students. Each tour will present undergraduate department facilities and common spaces through a series of images, videos and YouVisit panoramas. Admissions Staff will also be available for a live Q&A with tour guests following the tour. Virtual tours are offered by department as outlined below:
Mondays @ 11:00am EST
BFA Film; BFA Photography and Video
Wednesdays @ 11:00am EST
Foundation Majors
(BFA Cartooning, BFA Design/BFA Advertising, BFA Illustration, BFA Fine Arts)
Wednesdays @ 3:00pm EST
BFA Interior Design: Built Environments; BFA Visual & Critical Studies
Fridays @ 11:00am EST
BFA Animation; BFA Computer Art, Computer Animation and VFX
Live Webinar: Info Session
Admissions Counselors present an overview of SVA’s 11 undergraduate programs and discuss application requirements. Following the presentation, current SVA students will provide insights on their application experience and life at SVA.
Event Schedule:
- Undergraduate Info Session by Admissions Counselor (45 minutes)
- Presentation topics:
- Overview of SVA's undergraduate programs
- Life at SVA
- SVA's professional community
- Application requirements
- Live Q&A with current SVA Students (15 minutes)
Thursdays @ 3pm EST
Live Webinar: Portfolio Tips
Admissions is pleased to offer unique webinars focused on portfolio development. During each presentation, Admissions Counselors will provide tips on developing a visual art, lens-based, or film focused portfolio. Join us to view successful portfolio samples and to hear directly from current SVA students.
Event Schedule:
- Portfolio Presentation by Admissions Counselor (30 minutes)
- Student Portfolio tips from current SVA Students (15 minutes)
- Live Q&A (15 minutes)
Fridays @ 3pm EST
Portfolio Reviews
Please consider visiting us at a virtual National Portfolio Day to receive a portfolio review. Prospective students are also encouraged to submit portfolio works online via the AICAD Portfolio Review Portal.
National Portfolio Day Events
SVA is an active participant in the Portfolio Days sponsored by the National Portfolio Day Association (NPDA). As a member of NPDA, representatives from SVA will join other National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) accredited colleges to review portfolios, offer helpful suggestions and provide information on specific programs and requirements.
This year all National Portfolio Day events will be held online, rather than in person. Events are free and open to the public. Students are encouraged to take digital photos of any physical pieces they wish to share with college representatives and gather 10-15 images into a multipage PDF in preparation for these events. More information will be available on the National Portfolio Day Association website.
You will find a schedule of events listed below for the 2020-21 season. All events are four hours long and take place from 12pm-4pm Eastern Standard Time (EDT).
Undergraduate Events
for High School students/graduates
Alabama – 9/19/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Alaska – 11/15/20 9am-1pm (Pacific)
Arizona – 10/10/20 10am-2pm (Mountain)
Arkansas – 9/19/20 11am-3pm (Central)
California – 11/15/20 9am-1pm (Pacific)
Colorado – 10/3/20 10am-2pm (Mountain)
Connecticut – 10/4/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
District of Columbia (DC) – 11/1/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Delaware – 11/1/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Florida – 12/5/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Georgia – 9/19/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Hawaii – 11/15/20 9am-1pm (Pacific)
Idaho 11/15/20 10am-2pm (Mountain)
Illinois – 10/18/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Indiana – 9/26/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Iowa – 9/26/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Kansas – 10/3/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Kentucky – 9/19/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Louisiana – 9/19/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Maine – 10/4/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Maryland – 11/1/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Massachusetts – 10/4/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Michigan – 11/8/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Minnesota – 10/3/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Mississippi – 9/19/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Missouri – 9/26/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Montana – 10/3/20 10am-2pm (Mountain)
Nebraska 10/3/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Nevada 11/15/20 9am-1pm (Pacific)
New Hampshire – 10/4/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
New Jersey – 10/24/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
New Mexico – 10/10/20 10am-2pm (Mountain)
New York – 10/24/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
North Carolina – 11/1/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
North Dakota – 10/3/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Ohio – 11/21/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Oklahoma – 9/26/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Oregon – 11/15/20 9am-1pm (Pacific)
Pennsylvania – 10/24/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Rhode Island – 10/24/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
South Carolina – 11/1/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
South Dakota 10/3/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Tennessee – 9/19/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Texas – 10/10/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Utah – 10/10/20 10am-2pm (Mountain)
Vermont – 10/4/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Virginia – 11/1/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Washington – 11/15/20 9am-1pm (Pacific)
West Virginia – 11/21/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Wisconsin – 10/18/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Wyoming – 10/3/20 10am-2pm (Mountain)
Canada – 10/24/20 (Eastern) and 11/15/20 10am-2pm (Pacific)
International (other)– 11/22/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Graduate Events
for Undergraduate students/graduates
California – 10/17/20 9am-1pm (Pacific)
Canada – 10/17/20 (Pacific) 10/25/20 (Eastern) and 10/31/20 10am-2pm (Central)
Illinois – 10/31/20 11am-3pm (Central)
Massachusetts – 10/25/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
New York – 10/25/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
International (other)– 11/22/20 noon-4pm (Eastern)
Visit the National Portfolio Day Association website for more information about Portfolio Day.
What to Have Prepared:
The SVA portfolio review is a great opportunity to receive helpful feedback on your work before you submit your official portfolio submission with your application. We will review finished work as well as works in progress or your sketchbook. We will give you an informative critique of your work, as well as discuss with you how your work aligns with various majors at SVA to help you edit and curate your portfolio for admission and scholarship consideration.
We will try and look at as much of your work as possible in the amount of time we have, however we recommend that you have your top 15-20 pieces tagged for easy access. We recommend showing us recent work or pieces that you feel best represent your technical and creative ability.
Even if you don’t feel like you have a full portfolio of work to show, you can still meet with an Admissions representative to ask questions and get info on our undergraduate programs.
Live Chat with SVA Students
Prospective Students are invited to join us live for an opportunity to speak with an SVA student and SVA Admissions staff member via Zoom. Presentations are not conducted during "Live Chats" but rather facilitate an open discussion about the SVA student experience.
Want to learn more about our 11 undergraduate programs and the application process? Please join us for an upcoming Info Session.
Tuesdays @ 3pm EST
Virtual Events
SVA hosts a variety of events and experiences to help prospective graduate students learn about our programs and the application process. We invite you to attend as many as you wish and we look forward to meeting you!
Graduate Admissions Preview Nights
Join us this fall to explore graduate study at SVA! Preview Nights give prospective graduate students an overview of graduate programs offered as well as tips about the application process. Come meet with Graduate Admissions staff and discuss your interests! Attendees will receive an $80 application fee waiver if they apply for Summer 2021 or Fall 2021 admission.
- Wednesday, October 21, 2020, 6-8pm EST Register
- Wednesday, November 18, 2020, 6-8pm EST Register
- Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 6-8pm EST Register
Graduate Application Q&A
SVA invites all prospective graduate students to join us this fall to learn about the graduate application process and meet Graduate Admissions staff. Get advice about application requirements and how to apply. Attendees will receive an $80 application fee waiver if they apply for Summer 2021 or Fall 2021 admission.
International Graduate Application Q&A
SVA invites all prospective international graduate students to join us this fall to learn about the graduate application process and meet staff from both the International Student Office and Graduate Admissions. Get advice about international application requirements, English Proficiency tests and how to apply. Attendees will receive an $80 application fee waiver if they apply for Summer 2021 or Fall 2021 admission.
- Friday, November 13, 2020, 10-11am EST Register
Graduate Alumni Panel
SVA invites all prospective graduate students to join us this fall to meet Graduate Admissions staff and hear from a panel of graduate alumni. Gain insight into what it’s like to be a graduate student and make the most of the Manhattan campus experience. Attendees will receive an $80 application fee waiver if they apply for Summer 2021 or Fall 2021 admission.
The list below each date indicates the programs that will be highlighted.
Wednesday, October 28, 2020, 6-8pm EST Register
- MA / MAT Art Education
- MPS Art Therapy
- MPS Branding
- MFA Design
- MFA Design for Social Innovation
- MFA Interaction Design
- MFA Products of Design
Wednesday, December 9, 2020, 6-8pm EST Register
- MFA Art Practice
- MFA Computer Arts
- MA Curatorial Practice
- MPS Digital Photography
- MPS Directing
- MFA Fine Arts
- MFA Illustration as Visual Essay
- MFA Photo, Video & Related Media
- MFA Visual Narrative
Graduate Department Information Sessions
Graduate Department Information Sessions usually take place throughout the fall. They provide a unique opportunity for prospective applicants to meet with the Chair, faculty, department staff, current students, and alumni.
MFA Computer Arts
- Wednesday, November 7, 2020, 1-2:30pm EST Register
- Saturday, November 14, 2020, 9-10:30am EST Register
- Saturday, December 5, 2020, 1-2:30pm EST Register
MFA Design
- Friday Virtual Tours every Friday 10-11am EST Register
- Information Session: Wednesday, November 11, 2020, 10-11:30am EST Register
- Information Session: Thursday, December 9, 2020 10-11:30am EST Register
- Information Session: Thursday, January 7, 2021 10-11:30am EST Register
MFA Design for Social Innovation
MFA Fine Arts - Thursday, November 12, 2020, 6:30-8pm EST Register
MFA Illustration as Visual Essay - Saturday, November 7, 2020, 10am-12pm EST Register
MFA Photography, Video and Related Media
MFA Products of Design - Wednesday, November 11, 2020 7-9pm EST Register
MFA Social Documentary Film
MFA Visual Narrative
- Information Session: Thursday, November 5,2020 8-9:30pm EST Register
- Alumni Panel: Thursday, November 19, 2020 8-9:30 pm EST Register
MFA Art Practice - Thursday, October 29, 2020 5:30-7pm EST Register
MA Curatorial Practice
- Saturday, November 7, 2020 10-11:30am EST Register
- Saturday, December 5, 2020 10-11:30am EST Register
MA Design Research, Writing and Criticism - Tuesday, October 27, 2020 6:30-8pm EST Register
MA/MAT Art Education
MPS Art Therapy - Wednesday, October 28, 2020, 5-6pm EST Register
MPS Digital Photography - Thursday, November 12, 2020, 7-8:30pm EST Register
MPS Directing - Tuesday, November 10, 2020, 6:30-8pm EST Register
MPS Fashion Photography
Please check back or contact each department directly for more information about other events and opportunities to visit throughout the year.
Graduate National Portfolio Days
SVA is an active participant in the Graduate National Portfolio Days sponsored by the National Portfolio Day Association (NPDA). As a member of NPDA, representatives from SVA will join other National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) accredited colleges to review portfolios, offer helpful suggestions and provide information on specific graduate programs and requirements.
This year all Graduate National Portfolio Day events will be held online, rather than in person.
Events are free and open to the public. Students are encouraged to take digital photos of any physical pieces they wish to share with college representatives and gather 10-15 images into a multipage PDF in preparation for these events. More information will be available on the National Portfolio Day Association website.
Please note that only the programs listed below each date will be present at each event:
October 17, 2020 (12-4pm EST)
- Graduate Admissions
- MA/MAT Art Education
- MFA Art Practice
- MPS Art Therapy
- MFA Computer Arts
- MFA Design for Social Innovation
- MPS Digital Photography
- MPS Directing
- MFA Fine Arts
- MFA Photography, Video and Related Media
- MFA Products of Design
- MFA Visual Narrative
October 25, 2020 (12-4pm EST)
- Graduate Admissions
- MA/MAT Art Education
- MFA Art Practice
- MPS Art Therapy
- MFA Computer Arts
- MFA Design for Social Innovation
- MPS Digital Photography
- MPS Directing
- MFA Fine Arts
- MFA Photography, Video and Related Media
- MFA Products of Design
- MFA Visual Narrative
October 31, 2020 (12-4pm EST)
- Graduate Admissions
- MA/MAT Art Education
- MFA Art Practice
- MPS Art Therapy
- MFA Computer Arts
- MFA Design
- MFA Design for Social Innovation
- MPS Digital Photography
- MFA Fine Arts
- MFA Photography, Video and Related Media
- MFA Visual Narrative
November 22, 2020 (12-4pm EST)
- Graduate Admissions
- MA/MAT Art Education
- MFA Art Practice
- MPS Art Therapy
- MFA Computer Arts
- MFA Design for Social Innovation
- MPS Digital Photography
- MPS Directing
- MFA Fine Arts
- MFA Photography, Video and Related Media
- MFA Visual Narrative
Visit the National Portfolio Day Association website for more information about Graduate National Portfolio Days.
What to Have Prepared:
The SVA portfolio review is a great opportunity to receive helpful feedback on your work before you submit your official portfolio submission with your application. We will review finished work as well as works in progress or your sketchbook. We will give you an informative critique of your work, as well as discuss with you how your work aligns with various majors at SVA to help you edit and curate your portfolio for admission and scholarship consideration.
We will try and look at as much of your work as possible in the amount of time we have, however we recommend that you have your top 15-20 pieces tagged for easy access. We recommend showing us recent work or pieces that you feel best represent your technical and creative ability.
Even if you don’t feel like you have a full portfolio of work to show, you can still meet with a Graduate Admissions representative to ask questions and get info on our graduate programs.
Graduate Department Contact Info
Please contact your chosen program directly to find out about other opportunities to visit or ask questions about the curriculum or faculty.
MA Design Research, Writing and Criticism
MFA Design for Social Innovation
MFA Illustration as Visual Essay
MFA Photography, Video and Related Media
New York City’s population is truly a microcosm of the globe. International students, no matter where they come from, can find a slice of their home culture somewhere in the streets and neighborhoods of NYC’s five boroughs. In this way, New York is unlike any other city in the world.
SVA is committed to maintaining a global perspective and community. In the 2018–2019 academic year, more than 1,900 students from over 63 countries studied at the College. To accommodate and serve SVA’s growing and diverse international population, the International Outreach Office, a subset of SVA Admissions, was created in 2013.
The International Outreach Office consists of artists and administrators who travel the world to build relationships with students, teachers, parents and professionals, visiting high schools, colleges, partner schools, art and design fairs, exhibitions and industry events. Team members discuss SVA’s offerings and new trends in art and design, and often conduct portfolio reviews with prospective undergraduate applicants.
International applicants have the opportunity to meet an SVA representative in person in their home country. Applicants receive one-on-one attention throughout the application process.
Staff
Don't hesitate to contact our multi-lingual staff with your inquiries.
Addresses inquiries in English
Addresses inquires in Spanish and Portuguese
Addresses inquires in Mandarin
Addresses inquiries from India
Special Information by Country
China
SVA has a year-round presence in China. Follow us on Weibo and WeChat using the QR codes below. Please contact Renyi Hu for more info at rhu@sva.edu.
QR code for following SVA on WeChat.
QR code for following SVA on Weibo.
South Korea
SVA has a year-round presence in Seoul. Please contact the SVA Seoul Office for more info about SVA in South Korea.
Andrew ChangDirector of Programs for International StudentsGeneral InquiriesEnglish/Korean
SVA Seoul Office/ Seocho Gallery
Gangnam-daero 89-gil 30 (suite B1) Seocho-gu,
Seoul, 06534, Korea
Tel: 02.742.9454 / Fax: 02.742.9454
