School of Visual Arts

SVA 2025–26 Winter Recess

The School of Visual Arts will be closed for its 2025–26 winter recess from Thursday, December 18, through Sunday, January 4. Spring 2026 undergraduate and graduate classes will begin on Monday, January 12. Have a safe and happy holiday season!

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
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

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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 2024 Global School Rankings

#1 Best Illustration Schools in the U.S.

The Art Career Project 2024

Best Fine Arts Programs

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

See More Rankings

Our Community

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

A plateau mountain rises above colorful autumn trees under a sky filled with vibrant sunset clouds.A plateau mountain rises above colorful autumn trees under a sky filled with vibrant sunset clouds.

December 2025 Exhibitions and Events

An illustration of a person reclining in a home and drawing in a sketchbook. The drawing is composed from the person's point of view.

Introducing the Fall/Winter 2025-26 ‘Visual Arts Journal’

Photographic portrait of a person with dark hair and a deep blue shirt holding what appear to be oversized, illustrated die

Meet Alumni Scholarship Winner Héctor Ruiz

Orange and white checkered block with bulbous figure and greens on top

Q&A with David Ross on New Interdisciplinary Online Program

READ MORE FEATURES

Currently on View

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After SVA

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

Creator, executive producer, director, designer, animator, compositor, voice actor, and writer, Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss • Founder, Spindlehorse • Honoree, Webby Award, Video – Animation, Hazbin Hotel • Director and animator, “Vampire” segment, “Weird Al” Yankovic music video “Polkamania!” • Creator, ZooPhobia
VivziePop • Animation
Creative chairman, Deutsch LA • Chief creative officer, Arnold Worldwide • Recipient, multiple Cannes Lions, Emmy Awards (including one for the Truth campaign), Silver and Bronze Clios, D&AD Graphite and Wood Pencils, ADC Awards Bronze Cubes, and Bronze ANDYs
Peter Favat • Media Arts
Honoree, Zero Project Innovative Practice Award, United Nations; and inaugural class, Obama Fellow, Obama Foundation • Founder and director, Motion Light Lab, and co-director, Visual Language and Visual Learning Center, Gallaudet University • Founder and producer, Deaf Digits, Inc., developer of The ASL App
Melissa Malzkuhn • Visual Narrative
See More Alumni

There is no creative culture of New York City without SVA.


LAURIE CUMBO

Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, New York City