Visual Arts

Founded in 1876 in conjunction with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the University's Visual Arts programs offer the strength of focus of a professional art school along with the advantages and opportunities of a true university.

The University of the Arts offers Visual Arts students an educational experience combining intensity and intimacy, focus and depth. Immersed in a supportive environment in their discipline of choice, students also have opportunities to collaborate across disciplines. They work one-on-one with a faculty of committed painters, illustrators, metalsmiths, jewelry makers, woodworkers, sculptors, ceramicists, printmakers and photographers eager to share their knowledge with the next generation of creative individuals. Students absorb a top-level visual arts training regimen and gain a breadth and depth of understanding that provides context for their work, and for their lives.

Crafts

With roots that go back 125 years, the University of the Arts provides one of the country’s most comprehensive Crafts curricula.

Haunted Hallway by Sam Schechter '12 (Illustration)

Illustration

US News & World Report rates the Illustration program at the University of the Arts as one of the top three in the country.

Multidisciplinary Fine Arts

This program draws from a variety of media, including painting, drawing, animation, printmaking, book arts, sculpture, photography, film/video and crafts.

Painting/Drawing

Balancing technique and personal expression, students in Painting/Drawing build a professional portfolio of work.

Photography

Photography students work in both digital and traditional formats, enjoying extensive access to darkroom-based and alternative processing facilities.

Printmaking/Book Arts

Students can take advantage of fully equipped studios to master etching, lithography, letterpress, screen printing, monotype and non-silver photographic printmaking.

Sculpture

The Sculpture program at the University of the Arts immerses students in the fundamentals of sculpture and technical procedures in a variety of materials.

Foundation students install a big inflatable chair in Solmssen Court

Foundation

The first-year experience provides all Art and Design students with a set of powerful abilities in visual perception, expression, and image- and object-making.