General Information LOCATION AND FACILITIES The School is located at 5 East 89th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues. It is across the street from Central Park and within walking distance from the city's most important museums. The School consists of six air-conditioned, sky-lit studios, considered among the finest in New York because of their exceptional north light. There are two painting studios, two drawing studios, a printmaking studio, and a sculpture studio. There is also a large lecture room, a locker room, and a student lounge, used also for exhibitions. Public transportation is available via the 86th Street and 96th Street cross-town buses; the Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Lexington Avenue buses; and the Lexington Avenue subway (4,5 or 6 lines). PROGRAMS OF STUDY The Studio System It is only by spending as much time as possible in the studio that students develop the necessary skills, which, combined with individual creativity, lead to genuine artistic expression. The studio experience is augmented by lectures, seminars, critiques, workshops, and visits to museums and artists' studios. In fair weather landscape sessions are held outdoors in Central Park and other locations throughout the city. In general, full time classes meet five days a week in three-hour sessions. Instructors attend full time classes two days a week to give instruction and criticism. The instructor is present one day per week for classes that meet three times or less per week. In most classes, instruction is given on an individual basis. Monitors are available to supervise and help when the instructor is absent. In general, class limits will be strictly adhered to as listed in the catalogue, unless a faculty member, in concert with the School Director, wishes to accommodate additional students in the class. Master Classes Since the inception of the Academy, National Academicians have taught in the school. The ongoing series of Master Classes continues that longstanding tradition. The purpose of these classes is to introduce varying techniques and philosophies to the students. Students have an opportunity to study with a variety of different instructors throughout the year. Requirements for admission vary with each instructor; some classes require intermediate or advanced training. Additional biographical information about Master Class instructors is available in the School office. It is strongly urged that all students take at least one Master Class, or Critiques Session per year. In many cases these instructors will not be teaching the class again. The Master workshops, a series of workshops held from 9:00-12:00PM in the 2nd Quarter are taught by members of the National Academy. These workshops, for one or two weeks vary according to the instructor, give experienced students a unique opportunity to work with many members of the Academy in a wide variety of mediums and subject. Intensive Critiques The National Academy School has instituted an open course of intensive critiques given by members of the National Academy. These critiques will take place on a weekly basis during the Spring semester with a different artist leading the session each week. In the past, critiques have been led by Academicians including the painters, William Bailey, Will Barnet, Jim Bohary, Charles Cajori, Bernard Chaet, Lois Dodd, Richard Estes, Janet Fish, Jane Freilicher, Don Holden, George Nick, Don Perlis, and Peter Paone, and sculptors Neil Estern, Leonda Finke, and Barbara Lekberg. Workshops Workshops, held throughout the year, enrich the regular school curriculum and offer time for focused study in particular methods and materials. For more information click here. Museum, Gallery and Studio Visits Special museum, gallery and studio visits, led by faculty members, Academicians and curators will be offered. Specific dates and times will be announced during the course of the year by the School office. Check the school office and bulletin boards for announcements. Uninstructed Studio-Sketch, Printmaking, and Sculpture The school makes studio time available on certain days and evenings for uninstructed printmaking and sculpture. These classes are open to all individuals on the day of each class for a nominal fee. (See the schedule for times offered.) School Regulations School regulations are printed in the School Code of Conduct which is available in the school office. Students are responsible for reading this document and adhering to all the regulations therein. Periodically other school information is posted on bulletin boards in the school, and students are responsible for reading and adhering to the information provided by these bulletins and fliers. Kiln A kiln located in the sculpture studio is available for use by students for a nominal fee. For more information on the available times for firing and fees, and to contact the kiln monitor, check with the school office. ADMISSIONS The Student Body There are approximately 600 students enrolled per year at the Academy's School. The school admits students of all ages and backgrounds and with varying levels of artistic experience. International Students The National Academy School is authorized under federal law to enroll non immigrant foreign nationals in the certificate program. For information about the requirements please contact the school office, or click here for the Foreign Student Handbook. Admissions All serious students are eligible to take classes. Previous training is not a prerequisite for most classes. Unless otherwise noted students may enroll in any class of their choosing. Students may request guidance in the selection of courses by contacting the school office or an instructor. Students who wish to receive a Certificate of completion must discuss the prerequisites with the School Director. The school does not grant degrees. Download the Registration Form for Academic Year 2007-08 (Printer Friendly PDF Version) DIPLOMA PROGRAM The school of Fine Arts is offering a new program leading to a Diploma in Fine Arts. The broad-based curriculum including drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking, will be chosen by the student in collaboration with an artist mentor, based on the applicant's skills and goals. Students will work towards a final solo exhibition in the National Academy Museum. Students compete for traveling scholarships to Florence in their second year. In the third year, students show a body of work at the juried exhibition, competing for additional traveling scholarships to a destination of their choice. Excellent opportunities for internships with faculty and members of the Academy in their studios and with curators and conservators in the Museum make this program unique in New York City. For more information, click here. COLLEGE CREDIT The School of Fine Arts is not an accredited institution and therefore does not offer degree credit for its classes. Classes taken at the Academy, however, have been accepted by other institutions in the past. Undergraduate and graduate students should contact their home college and individual art departments to determine whether they can receive credit for classes taken at the Academy. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Scholarships Scholarships are made possible by bequests, endowments, and annual gifts from Academy members, Friends of the Academy, Foundations, and alumni. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and need. For more information on scholarships, please click here. Prizes Prizes are awarded during the year, at the mid year and the year end student exhibitions. Class Monitors When there are at least eight students in a class, a monitor is chosen by the instructor and School Director to assist the instructor and oversee the class when the instructor is not present. Monitors are directly responsible to the instructor and the school office. Monitors have a list of duties set forth by the school. In addition to the duties particular to each class, it is required that monitors take attendance at each class meeting and ensure that only registered students attend. Monitors are also responsible for handling students' requests and acting as liaison between students, faculty and the school office. The monitors' services are performed in exchange for tuition. Work-Study The Academy's work-study program offers students an opportunity to gain valuable work experience while taking courses at the school, in exchange for tuition remission for one full-time class. Work-study students provide assistance in all departments of the school and museum. Work-study students work an average of eight hours per week.