Academy of Art University San Francisco

Summary

The Academy of Art University is a private, for‑profit art and design university founded in 1929 by Richard S. Stephens and is located in San Francisco, California. It has since grown into one of the largest art and design schools in the United States, offering degree and non‑degree programmes solely dedicated to educating creatives, with 22 unique schools of instruction in art, design, film, communications and technology.

History

The school began in 1929 as the Academy of Advertising Art, founded by artist and creative‑director Richard S. Stephens. At that time it operated out of a loft at 215 Kearny Street, aiming to teach advertising art. In its early years, Richard Stephens focused on building a small dedicated institution. Within a few years he recruited practising art and design professionals as faculty — a philosophy that would come to define the school’s approach: real-world professionals teaching future professionals.

By 1933 the curriculum expanded to include fashion illustration; by 1936 a fine art department was introduced. In 1951, Richard’s son, Dr. Richard A. Stephens, became president. Under him the school grew significantly — expanding department majors, increasing student enrolment from just a few dozen to thousands, and formalising the institution. In 1966 the school was incorporated and authorised to offer a Bachelors degree in Fine Art. Graduate‑level education was added in the 1970s: the institution inaugurated its graduate programmes in 1977 and received appropriate approvals by the early 1980s.

Academy of Art University

The core philosophy is that you learn by doing. Its hands-on, project-based, portfolio-directed curriculum focuses on the intersection of 21st-century technology and the foundational principles of art and design, underpinned by the interdisciplinary, collaborative approach of a STEAM education. At the Academy, students will develop professional-level, career-ready portfolios and be prepared to move into the workforce upon graduation.

As innovators in art education, the team is committed to ensuring the curriculum constantly evolves to prepare students for the demands of the workplace. Online programs offer immersive classroom experiences both in real time and on demand. A fully accredited STEM Master of Arts in Artificial Intelligence Marketing & Design degree in the School of Communications and Media Technology is one of a kind. The Academy offers 18 unique, AI-centric, discipline-specific art and design courses.

For over 25 years, the Academy’s robust and innovative online program has been available to students around the world. Per the official website: “We believe the best instructors are those who work in the fields they teach. Our faculty’s work-related experience, insider insights, and industry connections will give you a competitive edge in creating your portfolio and seeking employment. Our extensive network of industry connections not only brings professionals into the classroom for real-world instruction but has also resulted in enduring corporate partnerships that result in collaborative work on real projects. This learning model brings students, faculty, and industry experts together to prepare you for a lifetime of productive creativity.”

Today, the Academy claims more than a hundred art‑ and design‑oriented degree programmes, and serves a diverse population of domestic and international students — continuing its nearly century‑long tradition of art‑based education. The institute’s “No Barriers” admission policy opens the doors to all who believe in their artistic potential. It offers housing, free transportation between campus buildings, and a thriving student social network that makes going to school as exciting as after-school life. The institute is a military-friendly institution, with a robust support infrastructure for veterans and their dependents.

Academy of Art University

VISION

The founding vision of Richard S. Stephens was practical and rooted in industry. He sought to create a school where real working artists and designers would teach upcoming talent — not academics. This emphasis on professional practice rather than purely theoretical study was central from the start. Stephens aimed to equip students not just with artistic technique, but with the skills to succeed in the commercial world — advertising, illustration, design. His background as a painter and creative director for a magazine likely influenced the school’s early focus on applied art, design, and illustration.

Under his successor Elisa Stephens, this vision evolved: the idea became to combine art with contemporary technology and industry demand. The university expanded into film, animation, architecture, digital media, and even STEM‑infused design courses. The goal: prepare students for a changing world where art, design, technology and business intersect.

TOP COURSES

The Academy of Art University School of Fashion is often cited in domestic and international publications as one of the leading fashion design schools worldwide. From fabric burnout to photographic screen printing and computer–assisted print designs, students in the BFA Textile Design program design and print on both fabric and paper using print techniques and fabric manipulation. Students develop their drawing and colour skills in course work that combines excellence in design, artistic vision, and innovative technology to provide students with the skills necessary to realize their creative visions. Senior students may collaborate with other fashion design or knitwear majors to produce a runway collection for the annual San Francisco Fashion Show.

The costume design BFA program trains the next generation of artisans and designers with key technical skills and opportunities to practice their craft in active production environments. By combining a rigorous sewing program with industry specific design courses, the students will be prepared to work in any number of positions in either theatre or film. Students will have opportunities to design theatrical productions, collaborating with the director, fellow designers and the actors to create costumes that support the needs of the play. Finally, each student will graduate with a portfolio that showcases the range of their talents in design and construction of garments and specialty items like jewelry and millinery work.

Fashion Design (MFA): Graduate programs in the School of Fashion refine and focus your individual artistic vision with degree options in Fashion, Knitwear Design, Textile Design, Costume Design, Footwear & Accessory Design, Fashion Product Development, Fashion Merchandising & Management, and Fashion Marketing & Brand Management. Studio courses hone the students’ knowledge of industry standards, combining design excellence with the mastery of the latest digital tools. Graduate candidates are guided through Directed Study which culminates in the production of a final collection, portfolio, or project.

The MA in Fine Arts can be completed with an emphasis in Drawing and Painting. This degree program provides students with the creative and technical skills needed to thrive in art. Students will leave with professional-level portfolios and an understanding of the business of art. A Fine Art education at Academy of Art University will teach the fundamentals of the classical tradition as students learn the foundational skills of composing, designing, drawing, painting and sculpting while building a professional-quality portfolio of work, enhanced with AI. The faculty is composed of working artists who understand what it takes to transform talent, technique, and vision into a career in the arts. They teach students how to develop a unique artistic point of view and how to translate that into a professional portfolio, how to find apprenticeships, attract representatives and gain exposure in the art world while staying true to their artistic vision.

KEY TEAM

• Elisa Stephens — President

• Dr. Richard A. Stephens — Former President (1951–1992)

• Richard S. Stephens — Founder

JOB INTEGRATION SERVICES

The Academy emphasises equipping students for professional careers — not just academic art. Through its design courses (graphic design, digital media, illustration, etc.), it aims to teach skills directly relevant to industry needs. Graduates of the School of Graphic Design, for example, are prepared to join design studios, advertising agencies, marketing teams, or in-house digital design departments — giving them a clearer path to employment. The university also offers online degrees — including fine art — with the same instruction and evaluation as on campus; this gives remote students worldwide a chance to build a professional‑quality portfolio that can help them enter creative industries without relocating. Additionally, the urban location in San Francisco — a global hub of technology, design, media and creative industries — provides potential proximity to companies and studios where students might find internships or job opportunities post‑graduation.