Established in 1890, NYU Steinhardt’s one-of-a-kind integration of education, communication, health, and the arts puts us at the heart of a movement: education for social change.
Our mission is to advance knowledge, creativity, and innovation at the crossroads of culture, education, and human development. We exemplify NYU’s commitment to be of public service.    

What makes your school’s art & design programs different & unique from other art & design school programs? What are the top 3 program features that make your program stand out?

1. The NYU Steinhardt BFA Program is nestled in a world-class research university encouraging collaborative work and crossover with people of unprecedented know-how in other fields, while the relative small size of studio classes (12-15 students) fosters close relationships with both faculty and peers. Our students have access to Tier 1 Research level courses and a supportive home base. This is unique for an art school. 

2. There other art schools in NYC but I cannot overstate how important it is to our curriculum that we use our city as a school. We have a two pronged internship program.

3. Our Senior Honors Program is one-of-a-kind. All Seniors can apply and if accepted, they work closely with curators from the famed NYU Institute of Fine Arts, recognized as one of the best Graduate Art History programs in the world. Seniors graduate having already been in exhibitions curated by these experts. Additionally, they have scholarly essays written by these top tier curators examining their work. 

4. We are a Global Networked University. Though many schools offer Study Abroad programs, we offer a Global network that is run by NYU and functions in sync with our curriculum, financial aid, etc.

Can students take courses in other schools?

Yes absolutely. Most of our students minor in other fields such as business, entertainment, art history, psychology, or pretty much anything they want.  Many students double minor and a few double major.

What steps do you take to evaluate a student’s candidacy, apart from reviewing their creative portfolio?

Their statement is very important. Writing, reading and thinking are highly stressed in our department. A student’s statement is SUPER important. Additionally all students must be accepted into NYU which means they must pass high academic standards.

What does your program look for most in the creative portfolio during admissions? What do you think makes an A+ portfolio? 


Passionate work. Depth of exploration.

How are new technologies affecting students’ curriculums and/or ways of learning/collaborating at your school? 


A lot of students are expressing interest in our Digital Art area. The curriculum of this area is under constant formation as technology is always mutating. In our department students can learn software including the Adobe suite, animation programs and 3D modeling. 3D printing is taught. We have a CNC router (Computer controlled cutting machine) in our sculpture workshop and encourage the students to use it in their work. We also introduce the student to programming and interactive possibilities. As we are an interdisciplinary program, the students often integrate technology into their work no matter what medium they prefer. Students are also encouraged to reach out to larger technology departments located in the NYU network and many complete their math requirement in the Computer Science department.

Supporting our departmental work we also have the LaGuardia Studio providing advanced digital media services to the NYU community. Services include museum-qrade digital fine art printmaking, 3D printing, 3D scanning, and design consultation.

How does your program help graduating students with internships or jobs? Can students expect job placement more at your program than in others? If so, how or why? What kinds of job opportunities have you seen students take once they completed their degrees?

Our internship programs start as early as spring of the sophomore year. As we are in NYC internship possibilities are vast and varied. We use the city as our school. We have double-pronged internship possibilities. 

A. Within the department there is an internship counselor who works with students both informing them of existing internship possibilities and aiding them in finding their dream internship.  Once placed, the counselor monitors the intern’s progress and provides ongoing support. 

B. Outside the department we have the renowned NYU Wasserman Career Center, a resource for full-time and part-time jobs, and internship positions. By using either or both resources our students are more than prepared for the real world. Many students leave senior year with full-time jobs in place.

The range of jobs our students have is quite broad due to the interdisciplinary nature of our department. We have had students leave and become art-stars selling in world-class galleries. We have had students open their own successful galleries. We have had students work with prominent artists in their studios; in galleries; and, in non-profit art organizations. Others have gone into animation or photography, fashion or film. A few students have wound up in entertainment business, medicine and law. 

Are there any exciting developments for your programs that students should know about?

The collaboration with the NYU IFA mentioned in your first question is quite extraordinary.

What is the most distinguished feature at your school?

Our Department has the most exhibition opportunities available for students in New York City.

What is the best advice you have for students entering the art, design & architecture field? What role does the artist play today?

Be Bold.
Be Brave.
Love what you do.

Interviewed by Marlene McCarty  Clinical Associate Professor of Visual Arts at NYU Steinhardt 

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Common Application

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

Slideroom 15-20 pieces done with in past 2 years 

WRITING SAMPLE

NYU Artist Statement 

TRANSCRIPTS

Required

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

1 Counselor Recommendation 
1 Teacher Evaluation 

INTERVIEW

Not Required 

APPLICATIONS DEADLINES

Early Decision I : Nov 1
Early Decision II: Jan 1 
Regular Decision: Jan 1 

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Preferred TOEFL: average above 100
Preferred IELTS: average 7.0
PTE Academic: average 70

DID YOU KNOW?

The Steinhardt Studio Art Program partners with NYU-Berlin to provide an unparalleled studio experience for art majors. Berlin is home to the most innovative contemporary art scene in Europe, with an ever-expanding expatriate art community.

Art students here work in
newly renovated studio
spaces dedicated to digital
art, painting, drawing
and exhibition.

ALUMNI

Felix Gonzales Torres, Artist
Joel Schapiro, Artist
Ross Bleckner, Artist
Carol Bove, Artist
Nate Lowman, Artist
Borna Sammak, Painter
Jasmin Tsou, Art dealer 
Nikki S. Lee, Photographer
Nicole Cherubini, Artist and Sculptor
Elaine Cameron Weir, Artist 
Charles Harlan, Artist 
Rachel Rampleman, Artist
Zaq Landsberg, Artist
Charlotte Ronson, Womenswear Designer
Dennis Crowley, CEO
Daniel Rozin, Artist
Leo Villareal, Designer
Sigi Moeslinger, Designer
Margaret Gould Stewart, User Experience Master
Tom Igoe, Co-founder

ADMISSIONS OFFICE

New York University Admissions Office
665 Broadway, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10012-2339

+1 (212)-998-4500