Paris College of Art

SUMMARY

Paris College of Art is a private, international art and design university located in Paris, France. The American art and design university based in Paris, France leverages the American education system with curriculum in English, attracting a distinctly international student body seeking a globalised art and design education.

HISTORY

Paris College of Art began in 1981 as Parsons Paris, a European branch of the New York–based Parsons School of Design in partnership with the American University of Paris. Its first programmes included Fine Arts, Photography, Communication Design, and Environmental Design, aiming to offer an American art education in a European context. In 1986 the school adopted a French legal structure as a non-profit association under the name École Parsons à Paris. This move formalised its presence in the French educational landscape while maintaining the academic standards of its American parent.

The students and faculty combine curiosity, experimentation and enthusiasm in the pursuit of learning. They believe that finding a design solution, creating a work of art and facilitating the production of a creative team are intellectual processes of undeniable value. Developing critical awareness through hands-on research and discussion is essential to professional maturation and individual growth. Artistic practice demands a high level of personal commitment and discipline, and the college expect their students to participate in class so that they can explore differing points of view and engage creative resources.

Paris College of Art is rooted in a city of primary art and design production. Experiencing the uniqueness of the Parisian metropolis provides a rich source of visual inspiration. Throughout the 1990s the school operated under the Parsons Paris name, expanding its curriculum and strengthening links with Parisian cultural institutions, galleries, and design houses. These connections gave students direct access to the city’s vibrant art scene, providing opportunities for internships, exhibitions, and collaborations with established designers and artists. The early 2000s marked a period of academic growth and increasing independence. By 2010 the institution gained its own degree-granting authority from the State of Delaware in the United States and achieved accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. It adopted the name Paris College of Art to reflect its autonomous status while retaining an international outlook.

Since becoming independent, it broadened its programmes to include disciplines such as Fashion Film and Photography, Transdisciplinary New Media, and a Global BFA in Film Art created in collaboration with Emerson College in Boston. These partnerships demonstrate the college’s commitment to cross-cultural education and innovative practice. The campus in the 17th arrondissement provides specialised facilities including fine art studios, digital and traditional photography labs, printmaking workshops, fashion ateliers, and exhibition galleries. Its location places students close to some of the world’s most influential museums, fashion houses, and contemporary art spaces, enhancing learning through direct engagement with the creative industries.

Paris College of Art continues to host exhibitions, end-of-year shows, and alumni events that highlight student and graduate work. These include fashion collections, multimedia installations, and curated group exhibitions, which help students build professional portfolios and gain public exposure. While the college does not maintain a permanent art collection, its ongoing programme of shows and collaborations sustains a dynamic presence in the Paris art world.

JOB INTEGRATION RATE

Paris College of Art places strong emphasis on professional readiness. It offers an optional Applied Studies Year that allows graduates to remain in Paris for internships or employment while receiving career guidance and visa support. The office of Student Success and Registrar plays a pivotal role in shaping the student experience at Paris College of Art from the point of admission, and provides strategic leadership for student life, career development, alumni engagement, and academic records, ensuring a holistic and inclusive environment that supports students from pre-arrival orientation through post-graduation. It acts as both the central hub for student activities and a vital support network, aiding our international student body in navigating the practical aspects of life in Paris.

Alongside hosting on-campus and off-campus activities such as cultural outings and museum tours, the Student Success staff assists students with obtaining residency permits and provides guidance on banking, phones, transportation, insurance, and medical referrals. Moreover, the office offers organizational support for the Student Council and Student Engagement Representatives, as well as access to free, confidential, multilingual counseling services. Industry contacts across Europe and beyond help students secure placements in galleries, design studios, fashion houses, and creative agencies, aligning their studies with practical career goals.

TOP COURSES

At the undergraduate level, Paris College of Art offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in several studio-based design and art disciplines: Communication Design, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Interior Design, and Photography. Students entering their first year begin with a Foundation Year, which establishes foundational skills, design thinking, and an exposure to various disciplines before specialising. There is also a Foundation Online: Pathway to Paris option for remote study of that foundational first year. One special program is the Global BFA in Film Art, done jointly with Emerson College, which is structured to be completed in three years.

The undergraduate curriculum runs in two main semesters (15 weeks fall, 15 weeks spring). Alongside studio courses, students are required to take liberal studies / humanities-type courses (art/design history, writing, etc.), thus giving a well-rounded artistic and intellectual grounding. For graduate students, PCA has a range of MA / MFA offerings. These include specialisations such as Design for Social Impact, Drawing, Fashion Film & Photography, Interior Design, Photography & Image-making, and Transdisciplinary New Media. The graduate courses tend to emphasise both technical / studio mastery and theoretical / critical thinking, exploring how art & design intersect with culture, social issues, new media, etc.

In the Fine Arts undergraduate program, for example, there is a strong balance between traditional media (drawing, painting, sculpture) and newer or more time-based media (video, installation, performance, digital imaging). Students can choose specialisations or “orientations” starting in the junior years — for example 2D, 3D or 4D directions — depending on their interests.
https://www.educations.com Electives across departments are encouraged to foster interdisciplinary work. Also, critiques, art history & theory courses, and exposure to the cultural richness of Paris through gallery/museum visits form an integral part of the training

EXECUTIVE BOARD

• Linda Jarvin – President
• Adelaide de Guillebon – Board Member
• Reginald de Guillebon – Board Member
• Mark Havlicek – Board Member
• Christel des Royeries – Board Member
• Annie Cohen-Solal – Board Member
• Cristina Grasset – Board Member
• Jeffrey Nesin – Board Member
• Kaamna Patel – Board Member
• David Peck – Board Member
• James Sintros – Board Member

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Paris College of Art holds accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design in the United States and has authority to grant degrees through the State of Delaware. This recognition confirms that it meets rigorous international standards for art and design education. The college is widely respected for its global community, with students and faculty representing more than forty nationalities. Its location in Paris provides access to internationally renowned cultural institutions and design industries, reinforcing its reputation as a leading centre for creative education. Paris College of Art also highlights the achievements of its graduates through internal honours, exhibitions, and alumni showcases. Students and alumni regularly present work in galleries and festivals, with awards for outstanding final projects and public recognition of creative excellence forming an integral part of the college’s culture.

REFERENCES