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Commencement

Five graduates wearing red commencement regalia pose for a photo; the middle person is holding a large bouquet of pink and red flowers.Three graduates wearing red commencement regalia pose for a photo; the right-most person is holding a large bouquet of pink and red flowers.
Five graduates wearing red commencement regalia pose for a photo; the middle person is holding a large bouquet of pink and red flowers.Three graduates wearing red commencement regalia pose for a photo; the right-most person is holding a large bouquet of pink and red flowers.
JOSEPH SINNOTT
A Joyous Celebration of Academic Achievements
Hats off to Our Graduating Class!

The School of Visual Arts’ milestone 50th annual Commencement Exercises were held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 1:00pm at Radio City Music Hall. The event can be viewed in its entirety on the SVA Commencement YouTube page.


Author, educator, designer, and Co-Founder and Chair Emeritus of the College’s MFA Design program Steven Heller delivered the keynote speech to graduates and attendees. For a recap of the festivities and event photography, please click the button below.

Past Commencement Ceremonies

Select Keynote Speakers

  1. Ellen Burstyn, 1983

  2. Louise Nevelson, 1986

  3. Tom Wolfe, 1987

  4. Vito Acconci, 1989

  1. Susan Sontag, 1990

  2. Dr. Cornel West, 1993

  3. John Lewis, 2014

  4. Gloria Steinem, 2017

  1. Maya Lin, 2018

  2. John Waters, 2020

  3. Marilyn Minter, 2021

  4. Roxane Gay, 2022

Keynote Speeches