School of Visual Arts (SVA) next fall will welcome the inaugural class of a brand-new degree program, the Masters of Professional Studies in Data Visualization and Communication (MPS DV&C). Chaired by Jason Forrest—a practicing data professional, artist, and acclaimed editor—the 10-month program will offer a hybrid approach to interactive storytelling and data visualization tailored for a world overloaded with information. Enrollment is currently open and the first term will begin in September 2026. “Data visualization is magic: it transforms abstract statistics into stories that change how we see the world,” said Forrest. “Our groundbreaking curriculum brings together data skills, creativity, and empathy, equipping the next generation to break barriers, bridge disciplines, and rethink the future of information.” “Data is everywhere, but its meaning is what moves people, and we are excited to offer a program at the cross-section of art and science that explores this,” said Christopher J. Cyphers, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “SVA is the perfect home for this unique degree thanks to its deep design roots, and its long history of shaping future artists and innovators.” Unlike traditional masters programs that focus on business analytics or code, MPS DV&C will approach data communication with a strong core focus on design and a professional focus. Through a curriculum that values storytelling, empathy, and creativity as much as advanced data science and fluency, students will gain the technical skills to work with code, and the design instincts to shape its meaning. In a creative studio environment, coursework will include everything from UX design to programmatic drawing and the history of information, with guest lecturers from experts in journalism, fine art, comics, publishing, and civic technology, among others. The faculty of working professionals will bring a custom blend of the tactile and the technological, including AI tools, to expand conversation and drive action.