Richard S. Stephens founded the Academy of Art University in 1929 when he established the institution as an Académie of Advertising Art. Being the Creative Director for a magazine and knowing the breadth of the arts, Stephens quickly expanded into other artistic disciplines.
The Academy of Art University has continued to be a private institution for the arts and design, and its leadership has remained within the family of its founder. Dr. Elisa Stephens, the founder’s granddaughter, is currently leading the university in new directions.
It began as a small private institute in San Francisco, California, and has expanded to become the largest private arts institution in the country. Additionally, some 70 gallery and art exhibitions are organized by its alumni and students each year in San Francisco. The Academy has produced some of the most well-known and accomplished students and alumni in just three generations.
One of these accomplishments was being the first art university to be given the distinction of presenting student work during New York Fashion Week. Other notable accomplishments include earning a Pulitzer Prize for Photography and an Emmy Award for visual effects, as well as developing a user interface for NASA that allows astronauts to control ground-based robots while they are in space.
Even though it is an art academy, the college has a vibrant sports culture. Additionally, it is the only university of the arts that provides NCAA programs. There are 16 intercollegiate teams at the academy, who compete under the name “Urban Knights.” Red and black are the designated colors.
In addition to pre-college and continuing education programs, the Academy of Art University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in more than 20 distinct areas of arts, fine arts, and design. Additionally, it expands study abroad options including summer semesters and scholarships solely given to the best students.
Its amenities include galleries like The Cannery and Atelier, as well as residences like The Commodore and the Coco Chanel “Women’s Empowerment” Hall. The academy also owns and manages the esteemed Academy of Art University Automobile Museum, which houses 200 classic cars. If you are thinking if they offer online programs, the answer is YES.
Faculties at the University
- Acting
- Advertising
- Animation & Visual Effects
- Architecture
- Art Education
- Art History
- Communications & Media Technologies
- Fashion
- Fine Art
- Game Development
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Industrial Design
- Interaction & UI/UX Design
- Interior Architecture & Design
- Jewelry & Metal Arts
- Landscape Architecture
- Motion Pictures & Television
- Music Production
- Photography
- Sound Design for Visual Media
- Visual Development
- Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media
Short-term Education
- Pre-College Art Experience
- Continuing Education
- Study Abroad
- Social Media Management Certificate
The institution is the first art college to receive an invitation to exhibit student work during New York Fashion Week, which takes place twice a year.
Admissions Requirements for Academy of Art University
What criteria does the Academy of Art University have for admission? Below are the important and mandatory requirements needed to gain admission into this university, there are:
- GPA specifications
- Test requirements, such as those for the SAT and ACT, and Application requirements
The acceptance rate for this university is extremely high which means you just have to do well with the requirements and you will be admitted.
For more information, you can visit the Academy of Art University
