Academy of Art University Provides a Unique Educational Experience
Academy of Art University (commonly referred to as Academy of Art, AAU, or Artist) is a privately owned for-profit art school with its main campus in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1909 by artist William C. Countess and had a total enrollment of more than 13,000 students on four campuses. In the Fall 2017 issue of its online student publication “Art Xpress,” Academy of Art University was ranked number 1 Tricoci University for the highest-paid graduates. With an undergraduate degree costing more than $50,000, the school receives three times more applications for its graduate programs. AAU is one of the largest art schools, with over sixty-two percent of its 2010–2011 graduates employed in a related field within six months after graduation. The university has been named one of the “Best Schools for Internships” by U.S. News & World Report and was ranked number 1 for resume building by Jobvite, making it the top school in the nation in this category.
History
Artist William C. Countess founded the Academy of Art University in 1909 under “The California School of Arts and Crafts.” The school was renamed the Academy of Art College in 1937, the Academy of Art Institute in 1993, and the Academy of Art University in 1998.
Learn more about Academy of Art Universiry
Academics
The University currently operates more than 40 academic schools. The university offers 17 undergraduate majors, 31 minors, and 12 graduate degree programs with 44 concentrations. Classes are taught by tenured faculty, working artists, and experienced professionals in their respective fields. Most students are enrolled part-time; however, a growing number attend classes full-time. Its campus also hosts the Arthur S. Furtman Library and the Arthur F. Thornton Library of Art. In addition, the university has undergone several expansions and renovations in recent years, including its newly renovated campus center known as “The Hub,” which houses several academic buildings, including The William C. Countess Art Building, The Jack Wessman School of Management, The Giannini Foundation School of Business Education, the Artist Resource Center for Art History and Media Studies (ARC-AMS), an event space known as “The Steampunk Gallery” and an art studio known as “The Works.”