School of Visual Arts

School of Visual Arts. Founded in 1947 by Silas H. Rhodes and Burne Hogarth, it has grown from a small cartooning school into a major force in art education located in the heart of Manhattan. The institution is renowned for its rigorous, professionally oriented programs that have produced generations of influential artists, designers, and filmmakers. Its faculty of working professionals and its deep connections to the creative industries of New York City provide a dynamic and immersive educational environment.

History

The institution was originally established as the Cartoonists and Illustrators School by co-founders Silas H. Rhodes, an educator, and Burne Hogarth, the renowned illustrator of the *Tarzan* comic strip. In 1956, the school was renamed to reflect its expanding curriculum beyond illustration into broader visual arts disciplines. Under the long leadership of Rhodes and later his son, David Rhodes, it steadily acquired property in the Gramercy Park and Flatiron District neighborhoods, transforming into a degree-granting college. Key milestones include receiving authority to grant a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1972 and a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1983, cementing its status within the landscape of higher education in the United States.

Academics

The college is organized into divisions offering undergraduate degrees such as the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Arts, alongside graduate programs culminating in the Master of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, and Master of Professional Studies. Its curriculum is highly specialized, with renowned departments in computer art, film and video, graphic design, illustration, photography, and animation. The MFA Design for Social Innovation and the MFA Photography, Video and Related Media programs are particularly noted. Instruction is heavily studio-based, emphasizing technical proficiency and conceptual development under the guidance of a faculty comprised of active practitioners from fields like advertising, publishing, and fine art.

Campus and facilities

The campus is primarily situated in the Gramercy Park and Flatiron District areas of Manhattan, comprising over a dozen buildings that house classrooms, studios, and administrative offices. Key facilities include the SVA Theatre on West 23rd Street, a major venue for film screenings and events like the annual Dust film festival. The Visual Arts Museum, located in the landmarked 209 East 23rd Street building, hosts exhibitions of work by students, faculty, and notable artists. Other significant resources are the SVA Library, modern computer labs, dedicated animation studios, and the SVA Flatiron Gallery in the bustling Pace University plaza.

Notable alumni and faculty

The alumni community includes a vast array of influential figures such as filmmakers Bryan Singer and Patti Smith, graphic designer Milton Glaser who created the I Love New York logo, and artists like Keith Haring and Elizabeth Murray. In comic book art, notable graduates are Bill Sienkiewicz and James Jean. Distinguished faculty have historically included luminaries such as photographer Larry Fink, illustrator Marshall Arisman, and animator John Canemaker. Contemporary faculty often include Guggenheim Fellowship recipients, Academy Award winners, and artists represented by major galleries like the Gagosian Gallery.

Student life and culture

Student life is deeply integrated with the cultural fabric of New York City, with organized visits to institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art. The student body publishes the Visual Arts Journal and runs WVAS, the campus radio station. Major annual events include the Dust film festival, the SVA Awards ceremony, and thesis exhibitions held in Chelsea galleries. Numerous student clubs and organizations cater to interests in areas from printmaking to entrepreneurship, while the Office of Student Affairs facilitates engagement with the broader arts community across Brooklyn and Queens.

Category:Art schools in New York City Category:Educational institutions established in 1947 Category:For-profit universities and colleges in the United States