School of Visual Arts

Female student looking into a vintage viewfinder in front of shelves of branding objects all painted whiteFemale student looking into a vintage viewfinder in front of shelves of branding objects all painted white
1960s psychedelic-style vivid painting featuring young female student surrounded by blooming flowers, bugs and mushrooms1960s psychedelic-style vivid painting featuring young female student surrounded by blooming flowers, bugs and mushrooms
Female artist working intently on a large-scale elaborate wire sculpture in her studioFemale artist working intently on a large-scale elaborate wire sculpture in her studio
Black and white ink drawing on tan-colored paper of people (and a pigeon) walking and scootering across the streets in NYCBlack and white ink drawing on tan-colored paper of people (and a pigeon) walking and scootering across the streets in NYC
Two female students in a library room surrounded by vibrant colorful design books and art objectsTwo female students in a library room surrounded by vibrant colorful design books and art objects
Elaborate black and white drawing crowded with space-aged gear including bikes, helmets and robots in front of a black starry skyElaborate black and white drawing crowded with space-aged gear including bikes, helmets and robots in front of a black starry sky
Six students in various locations of a large bright room with window, lounge furniture art objects on display. One student writes notes on a glass presentation panelSix students in various locations of a large bright room with window, lounge furniture art objects on display. One student writes notes on a glass presentation panel
Heavily painted canvas showing children dancing and playing musical instruments with many vivid shapes and and colorsHeavily painted canvas showing children dancing and playing musical instruments with many vivid shapes and and colors

Accelerate Your
Critical Thinking

Accelerate Your
Artistic Awakening

Accelerate Your
Ingenuity

Accelerate Your
Creative Vision

Accelerate Your
Professional Growth

Accelerate Your
Inventiveness

Accelerate Your
Collaboration Skills

Accelerate Your
Creativity

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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 stand 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

44,000

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 College Rankings 2023, 2024, 2025

Best Fine Arts Programs

U.S. News & World Report Best Grad Schools Rankings 2026

See More Rankings

Our Community

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

A person in glasses and a black sweater stands behind a white architectural model, with shelves of colorful paint bottles in the background.A person in glasses and a black sweater stands behind a white architectural model, with shelves of colorful paint bottles in the background.

Alumnus KAWS is SVA's 2026 Commencement Speaker

A giant red bug is on a chessboard, surrounded by armored knights and various chess pieces. The scene is chaotic, with some figures lying injured.

April 2026 Exhibitions and Events

A colorful illustration with diverse hands gripping subway poles, a pigeon perched on a pole, green vines, and a dog peeking. Tone is lively and hopeful.

SVA Alumni Reimagine the NYC Commute

A person with braided hair smiles confidently near a building adorned with two red "School of Visual Arts" flags. The urban street is bustling with people.

Andrew “Dru” Alvez, Sr. on NASPA’s 2026 Stellar 50

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After SVA

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

First Black artist, Batman series (Detective Comics) • Nominee, Will Eisner Comic Industry Award • Artist, Luke Cage Noir, Black Panther, and Captain America • Co-creator and artist, Thief of Thieves • Author, Red Hood: The Hill and How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling
Shawn Martinbrough • Illustration
Director, producer, editor, and writer, The Innkeepers, X, Pearl, and MaXXXine • Director, Kid Cudi music video “Neverland” and Justin Timberlake music video “No Angels” • Director, executive producer, editor, and writer, In a Valley of Violence and The Sacrament • Director, writer, and editor, The House of the Devil
Ti West • Film and Video
Curator and manager of curatorial affairs, Performa • Curatorial associate, Hammer Museum • Recipient, The Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant • Contributor, Afterimage: The Journal of Media Arts and Cultural Criticism, Carla, Artforum, and Mousse • Editorial board member, X-TRA • Curator, Art in Odd Places
Ikechukwu Onyewuenyi • Curatorial Practice
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There is no creative culture of New York City without SVA.


LAURIE CUMBO

Former Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, New York City