School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers and creative professionals for nearly seven decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, dynamic curriculum and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. SVA is located in the heart of New York City, a world capital of art, design, and culture; a fact that greatly enhances the education of its students.

In 1947, SVA opened its doors with 35 students and three faculty members. Today there are approximately 3,500 undergraduate students, 650 graduate students, and 1,000 faculty members. With over 35,000 alumni in 100 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. Among them are Academy Award winners, Emmy Award winners, Grammy winners, MacArthur Fellows and Guggenheim Fellows. Their work can be found in the collections of the world's leading museums, including The Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

SVA features the work of faculty, alumni, students and renowned artists and designers in four exhibition spaces. The SVA Chelsea Gallery is SVA's premier exhibition facility with four state-of-the-art galleries and a large terrace with a commanding view of Lower Manhattan and the Hudson River. The SVA Theatre, also located in Chelsea, regularly hosts public and private lectures, art performances, presentations, and film screenings throughout the year.