School of Visual Arts (SVA)

School of Visual Arts, located in the heart of New York City, has been a leader in the education of artists, designers and creative professionals for over seven decades. With a faculty of more than 1,100 distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprised of nearly 4,000 degree-seeking students at its Manhattan campus and 43,000+ alumni in 100+ countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world.

Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees are offered in 3D Animation and Visual Effects; Advertising; Animation; Comics; Design, Film; Fine Arts; Illustration; Interior Design: Built Environments; Photography and Video; and Visual & Critical Studies.

Master of Arts degrees are offered in Art Education; Curatorial Practice; and Design Research, Writing and Criticism.

Master of Fine Arts degrees are offered in Art Practice; Computer Arts; Design; Design for Social Innovation; Fine Arts; Illustration as Visual Essay; Interaction Design; Photography, Video and Related Media; Products of Design; and Visual Narrative.

Master of Professional Studies degrees are offered in Art Therapy; Branding; Digital Photography; Fashion Photography; and Film Directing.

A Master of Arts in Teaching degree is offered in Art Education.

SVA also offers workshops, continuing education classes, studio residencies, international student programs, summer programs abroad, and a pre-college program for high school students.

For more information on the College and its offerings, visit sva.edu.

SVA was established by co-founders Silas H. Rhodes and Burne Hogarth in 1947, as the Cartoonists and Illustrators School.

The school began with three teachers and 35 students, most of whom were World War II veterans who had a substantial part of their tuition underwritten by the G.I. Bill.

The college was renamed the School of Visual Arts in 1956. The first degrees were offered in 1972, and by 1983, the college had introduced its first graduate offering, a master of Fine Arts in painting, drawing and sculpture.

Total Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,255
Total Graduate Enrollment: 557
Foreign Countries Represented: 57

The Student Engagement and Leadership Office provides a diverse range of programming designed to enrich the SVA student's experience. Students are offered the opportunity to tap into a multitude of social, cultural, educational and recreational activities. Students are encouraged to take advantage of all New York City has to offer.

The Visual Arts Student Association (VASA), the student government, represents the students' point of view at SVA. Participating in VASA gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills by coordinating events and activities. VASA funds and supports a number of clubs and activities that are organized by students.