School of Visual Arts

Female student in wood working studio sanding a layered wood sculpture in the shape of a rabbit many cut out wood shapes beside herFemale student in wood working studio sanding a layered wood sculpture in the shape of a rabbit many cut out wood shapes beside her
stylized black and white graphite drawing of 5 people grouped as a family wearing period costumesstylized black and white graphite drawing of 5 people grouped as a family wearing period costumes
Four Students working at library table surrounded by colorful books on shelves. A green computer screen is in the backgroundFour Students working at library table surrounded by colorful books on shelves. A green computer screen is in the background
Close up detail of colorful abstract painting with vibrant orange yellow, blue and graphic black brush strokes Close up detail of colorful abstract painting with vibrant orange yellow, blue and graphic black brush strokes
Overhead view of two student's hands cutting elaborate shapes out of colored plaxiglass on a work surfaceOverhead view of two student's hands cutting elaborate shapes out of colored plaxiglass on a work surface
Large pink, purple and yellow soft sculpture in the shape of a fluffy spider on pale gray floor in the corner of a white roomLarge pink, purple and yellow soft sculpture in the shape of a fluffy spider on pale gray floor in the corner of a white room
Male student working beside an instructor in metal fabrication shop with tools and equipment on their desk Male student working beside an instructor in metal fabrication shop with tools and equipment on their desk
Allegorical tan, black and red drawing of birds with long beaks tasting a large red strawberryAllegorical tan, black and red drawing of birds with long beaks tasting a large red strawberry

Accelerate Your
Ingenuity

Accelerate Your
Creative Vision

Accelerate Your
Professional Growth

Accelerate Your
Inventiveness

Accelerate Your
Collaboration Skills

Accelerate Your
Creativity

Accelerate Your
Critical Thinking

Accelerate Your
Artistic Awakening

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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

1,500+

Course 

Offerings

35

Extracurricular

Clubs

9:1

Student-to-Faculty

Ratio

43,000

Global Alumni

Community

#1 - Best 2D Animation School In the World

The Rookies Global School Rankings 2023, 2024, 2025

#1 - Top 50 Illustration Colleges in the U.S.

Animation Career Review 2025 College Rankings

Best Fine Arts Programs

U.S. News & World Report Best Grad Schools Rankings

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Our Community

Major happenings from around the College, including news, events, exhibitions, and more.

A vibrant illustration of Mediterranean-style items on a warm pink background, featuring a blue jug, patterned dishes, a lighthouse stamp, and colorful fruits.A vibrant illustration of Mediterranean-style items on a warm pink background, featuring a blue jug, patterned dishes, a lighthouse stamp, and colorful fruits.

February 2026 Exhibitions and Events

A person with styled light hair and a goatee wears a velvet jacket and shirt, looking upward while holding a microphone stand against a light background.

Alumnus Frank Ockenfels 3 on Working With David Bowie

A person in a strapless dress joyfully holds a golden trophy. Behind her, a vibrant red and white heart-shaped light glows, adding a celebratory tone.

SVA Photographers in the Press

A hand holds a vintage photo in an ornate elevator. The photo features a person in a colorful, patterned outfit matching the elevator's stylish decor.

Steve Birnbaum Tracks Where The Band Was On Instagram

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Currently on View

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After SVA

Our alumni go on to have extraordinary careers across a wide range of creative fields.

Artist, “Comic Abstraction: Image-Breaking, Image-Making” and “The Compulsive Line: Etching 1900 to Now,” The Museum of Modern Art • Artist, “Greater New York,” MoMA PS1 • Permanent collection, Whitney Museum of American Art, Tate Modern, and Smithsonian American Art Museum
Inka Essenhigh • Fine Arts
Founder, Tak Toon Enterprise and Central Animation Studio • Supervising animator, MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch • Faculty, Graduate School of Advanced Imaging Science, Multimedia & Film, Chung-Ang University, and BFA Animation, SVA • Member, Board of Directors, SVA • President, Korean Alumni Association, SVA
Tak Hoon Kim • Computer Art
Recipient, inaugural Steven Heller Prize for Cultural Commentary, AIGA; and Silver Medal, Malofiej International Infographic Awards • Author, Mag Men: Fifty Years of Making Magazines • Co-host, Print Is Dead (Long Live Print!) podcast • Reporter, Quartz • Clients include CNN, Fast Company, and Architectural Digest
Anne Quito • Design Criticism
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There is no creative culture of New York City without SVA.


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LAURIE CUMBO

Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, New York City