History
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.
Education
Our faculty are truly a who’s who of NYC's creative community. More than 1,000 artists, critics, curators, designers, filmmakers, photographers, writers, and other creative professionals teach our students and share their experience and insights every day.
Career
SVA Career Development supports students and alumni in building their professional networks while providing them with the information and resources they need to prosper as creative professionals.
Distance Learning Courses
Arts, Design & Architecture (1)
- M.F.A. Visual Narrative
Housing services
At SVA, we strive to support our students both inside and outside the classroom. Students living on campus join a unique community of artists in a safe, diverse, and supportive living environment.
We offer students several housing options to fit all living preferences and budgets. Ludlow Residence is a traditional style residence hall that offers single and double room options. The 23rd Street Residence, 24th Street Residence, and Gramercy Women's Residence Halls offer students apartment-style living.
Library services
Since 1978 the SVA Library has been located at 380 Second Avenue in the Gramercy section of Manhattan, and in 2018 the library’s first permanent branch, SVA Library West, was established to better serve our expanding campus. Both locations provide comfortable, accessible and attractive spaces on campus where the SVA community can relax, study and collaborate.
Medical services
SVA does not have any medical services or an infirmary. If a student is feeling sick, there are urgent walk-in clinics around the SVA area. Urgent walk-in clinics do not require an appointment.
Student clubs
- Asian American Student Union.
- Black Student Union.
- Cartoon Allies.
- Chinese Student Organization.
- Fiber Arts Club.
- Figure Drawing Club.
- Gamer Guild (GG)
- Horror Society.
The School of Visual Arts (SVA) been authorized by the New York State Board of Regents (www.highered.nysed.gov) to confer the degrees of Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Professional Studies (MPS). SVA is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (msche.org), and is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (nasad.arts-accredit.org). The BFA Interior Design program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (accredit-id.org)