| Location: | Southwest |
| Setting: | Large City Setting |
| Type: | For Profit |
| Size: | Large (5,000 to 10,000 Undergrad) |
The Academy of Art University (formerly Academy of Art College), a proprietary, private university owned by the Stephens Institute, was founded in San Francisco, California in 1929 by Richard S. Stephens. The academy occupies over 30 buildings in downtown San Francisco. With an enrollment of nearly 12,000 students, the academy is reportedly the largest art and design school in the United States.
In 1929, the Academy of Art University was established in San Francisco as the Academy of Art Advertising by Richard S. Stephens, a fine arts painter and the creative director for Sunset. Assisted by his wife, Clara Stephens, Stephens opened the new school in a rented loft at 215 Kearny Street to teach advertising art. Over the next few years, he hired a faculty of practicing art and design professionals and formulated the school's philosophy to hire established professionals to teach future professionals. In 1933, the curriculum was expanded to include Fashion Illustration, and a Fine Art Department was added in 1936.
Stephen's son, Richard A. Stephens, took over direction of the school after graduating from Stanford University in 1951. During the son's tenure, the academy expanded its enrollment from 50 to 5,200 students. Richard A. Stephens oversaw continued expansion of department majors, starting with the addition of a Foundations Department, which offered courses in the basic principles of art and design, along with other Fine Art departments. In 1966, the school was incorporated as the Academy of Art College, and the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education granted the school the authority to confer the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree that same year. In 1977, the Academy of Art College added the Master of Fine Arts program to its degree offerings, marking the inauguration of its graduate school, with the state of California later approving the Masters program in 1983. In 1992, Elisa Stephens, granddaughter of the school's founder, succeeded her father, Richard A. Stephens, as president of the school.
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| Percent of Students International: | 20% |
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 12% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | No |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | Expenses | ||
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 14,480 | ||
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 13,200 | ||
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 140 | ||
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 2,946 | 29% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 5,643 | 8% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 3,024 | 55% | |
Any Aid: |
60% |
| Acceptance Rate: | 100% (Open Admissions) |
| Application Fee: | $ 100.00 |
College Advice
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Is this a good school in general? What are the people like? The neighborhood? How do you get in? Do you need a portfolio?
I've heard rumors that the school isn't worth the money because the teachers don't really teach and you have to teach yourself everything. And alot of people transfer out or drop out. Is this true? Also, i want to major in Graphic Design. Does this school have a good program for that? Will you get alot of job oppurtunites from it? What do you do in Graphic Design classes - what is the homework like? (Just curious)
I know I asked alot of questions just please be as helpful as possible. Anything will help.
Thank you so much.
13 months ago
Best Answer
This is actually a decent art school. You do have to be self-driven, no doubt, and I wouldn't go to any purely art school if I wasn't 100% sure that art was what I wanted to do, post-graduation.
I think this is one of the factors in the drop-out rate. After all, if you decide that art isn't for you, that's the only field the school offers. In addition, if you aren't highly self-driven, the culture of this school isn't a good fit.
AAU is a good art school, especially for students who don't have a portfolio ready for admission elsewhere. And no, in fact, you don't need a portfolio for admissions.
But, as I said, if you think that art may not be your thing, don't go. You need to be of single focus in a program like this. You need to be driven, and devoted. It's also quite expensive.
Employers really do recruit at this school. It's got a decent rep. There are stronger art schools in California - Otis is stronger. And there are worse - that Art Institute chain of schools, for example, and FIDM, oh please, no. And there are art schools that are better suited to people who aren't sure art is for them, or who want to study things other than art - they would be better studying in an art program within a university (see USC and UCLA).
If you think the AAU is right for you, visit them. But while you're looking at art schools in that area, also visit Otis, and Cal Arts, which are a step above AAU.
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what is better?
academy of art university or the art institute?
i want to do the fashion program and really need to know what the best online school is...
can somebody help me?
13 months ago
Best Answer
Academy of Art University is regionally accredited. Art Institutes is nationally accredited.
Regional accreditation is higher than national accreditation and makes a HUGE difference if you later want to transfer credit or continue on to more advanced degrees.
I wish I could afford to study photography at Academy of Art Univ....
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Question:
Academy of Art application process?
if i am considering going to the academy of art in SF during the spring of 2009, when should i apply?...i hear in some universities you need to apply a year in advance, is this the case with this college?
15 months ago
Best Answer
The Academy has rolling admissions; you may apply year-round to enroll in classes for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
It is recommended that you apply as early as possible to ensure enrollment in your top choice classes.
You may apply up to two years before you plan to enroll at the Academy.
Applications are accepted through the first week of each semester.
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Question:
Please Help!!!!!!?
I'm thinking about attending The Academy of Art university of San Francisco. I want to major in Interior architecture and design. Does anyone have any negative feedback on this school or this career? Positive feedback? Any recommendations?
15 months ago
Best Answer
Academy of art teaches you more how to market yourself/sell yourself. They are not so much into the real art. CCA is more into teaching you art, but not how to sell yourself.
I have been to both schools so email me if you wanna talk.
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Question:
Which art school is better - Art institute of CA San francisco or Academy of Art University?
I am transferring from a community college soon and I need help. I've basically narrowed it down to two schools: The art institute of san francisco and the academy of art university. I have read the each of the sites thoroughly and I am still stuck as to where to go. I have also had an interview with the art institute so I pretty much have an idea of what they are all about. However, I just want to be sure that I don't make a mistake I will regret. I think both schools are great but I just need help in deciding. I wanna know from first hand experience. So PLEASE!!!! can someone shed some light on these schools!
16 months ago
Best Answer
I go to the Academy of Arts Univ (AAU) and will graduate from there next spring. I can't really tell you about the Art Institute, but I can tell you about AAU.
I'm getting a degree in computer animation and I absolutely love it. I started out commuting to the campus and after a couple semesters, have switched completely to online classes because I work full time. The campus is spread out through S.F. Most of the campus and the administration building is on New Montgomery St. The computer labs are there as well as the administration offices, but some of the other department's buildings are in different spots. The campus has a busing system, so you can take a free bus if your classes are spreadout in the city.
One thing that they do at AAU that I don't know if the Art Institute does, is they require every major to take some basic "foundations" classes in art. So you will have to several drawing classes regardless of your major. The idea behind this is they want every graduate to have a foundation in the principles of art and they use that to help sell graduates to potential employers. If you don't think you can draw, though, don't be nervous. They have great teachers and I've seen some of the worst artists on the first day of class and watched them produce some great looking stuff on the last day of the semester.
AAU has open enrollment, so you don't need to submit a portfolio to get in. The thing I like about that is you will get a broad mix of people. Some people are book smart, but aren't the best artists, while some people are genuinely talented artists but aren't very booksmart.
The teachers are great, but they are demanding. The school really works hard to impress the importants of deadlines on students. I've had some really laid back teachers who will let you submit late work and I've had some teachers who won't accept late stuff at all, but they really drill into that you need to get your work in on time. Another thing they teach the students is how to give critiques and to critique other people's work.
The thing that most impressed me with AAU and ultimately made the decision for me to attend was that when I started showing an interest in the school and asked for information, they actually pursued me. They actually had a financial aid officer call me and ask me how he could help.
Another thing I really like about the school is they are constantly adding new classes and they will change your degree course depending on the technology available. Since I'm in computer animation, they are adding a ton of new classes and will change my curriculum if it's for the better.
I really recommend you call AAU and get set up for a tour. This is the perfect time right now because we're about to have the Spring Show, which is a showcase of all the best students' work from this school year. My first tour with AAU was during the Spring Show and I was really intimidated by the great work people were putting out, but after attending the school, I actually have some good pieces myself.
Feel free to email me if you have more questions.
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Does anyone have any experience with SJSU and/or SF Academy of Art?
Which one would you recommend as a film school? (I'm in Milpitas, so distance is a factor, as well as financial and time resonable).
Too, I'm interested in taking possibly majority of my classes online if I go with Academy of Art....(depending on SJSU, the same)...
I am aware that SJSU is cheaper, but which film course will benefit me more?
16 months ago
Best Answer
Can't answer all your questions but I am an online AAU student (illustation) and I was concerned about the online experience when I signed up. My wife works at a regular college here in our hometown. I have to say that what I am learning online appears to be far better than what I would be learning at many other schools. I am happy with the experience. The first several classes for everyone are basic art. You learn charcoal drawing, color and design, perspective, figure drawing etc. They consider this an important foundation to all majors and teach that it gives students a leg up in learning their own specific major
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Question:
Should i go to academy art university?
i have been going to Interntaional Academy of design and Tech in Tampa, FL for Digital Movie Production for a year and it hasn't really turned out the way i hoped and its costing alot of money. I went and looked for other film schools and found this one and really liked the program for Screenwritting. I was just wondering if i should transfer or just stay where im at???
17 months ago
Best Answer
well i am also getting my degree in Film production. I am attending collens college and really like it. if you are looking to be a screen writer you should check out UCLA. If you want to go somewhere on the east coast New York Film Academy is really awesome. good luck
-Kevin
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Question:
Best Interface Design Schools?
Hello
Right now im taking graphic design courses at a community college.
But my im looking into "interface design".
I'm interrested in the design side of interfaces. Although programming may be a big part of interfaces, im interrested specifically in the design of their "visual look".
I'm located in California in the Bay Area, very close to San Francisco.
Questions:
[1]
Do you know of any schools that specifically offer interface design programs/degrees?
[2]
Do people looking to specialize in interface design initially go for a more general degree like graphic design?
[3]
The Academy of Art in san franciso offers a program like this, is it any good?
[4]
The Art Center College of Design is a place im interrested in but i'm not sure how much focus they give specifically to interface design.
[5]
I'm also interrested in information design. Is information design the underlying degree for interface design or is it different?
Thankyou, all info is appreciated.
20 months ago
Best Answer
like u said, the Academy of Art in SF is great.
another one is the Cleveland Institute of Art
everyone's doing advanced stuff & going digital
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Best Answer
i believe they are known and prestigious plus their tuition fee is very high so i suppose...they are the best...or at least they are good....wish u luck
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I am planning on getting at least my associate's degree online. I want to see if fashion is in fact what I want to study. I am considering the Art Institute Online or the Academy of Art University Online. I've tried to google these schools to dig up some "dirt". I haven't found anything too dirty. (lawsuits, angry blogs...etc)
Anyone here have any insight?? I'm new to the online school thing. Help please!
26 months ago
Best Answer
I haven't taken any courses online but I hear they are really good. I am an Interior Architecture student and the online program for that is supposed to be excellent. I've had a really positive experience at the school, so I would think their online courses are just as strong.
Art Institue, at least the program here in SF, is not very good. I know a lot of people at the Academy who used to be at AI and are now here because the programs were so horrible.
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26 months ago
Best Answer
I go to the Academy of Art University. I had some friends who used to go to Art Institute but transferred to the Academy because AI sucked. I don't know what you're going to major in, but you should definitely take a tour of the Academy. I love it here.
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