800 Chestnut St.
San Francisco, Calif. 94133

San Francisco art Institute was established in 1871 and is one of the oldest, most distinguished schools of contemporary arts in the United States. The institute was founded by artists, writers and community leaders who had a cultural vision for the West. There are many influential artists associated with the San Francisco Art Institute, and the school's faculty, students, and alumni continue to define contemporary art and the role of artists in today's global society.

San Francisco Art Institute offers a variety of bachelor's and master's degrees in fine arts as well as post-baccalaureate certificate in fine arts. The San Francisco Art Institute has a summer institute with credit and non-credit courses. These courses are for students of the San Francisco Art Institute as well as non-students. The schedule includes intensives, study/travel courses, a visiting artist and scholars lecture series, city studio programs, and an art criticism conference.

Quick Facts

Financial assistance is available in many forms. There is an annual competitive scholarship program, financial assistance is available through the school for those who show financial need, and there are non-need-based financial options through Pell Grant, FSEOG, and CAL Grant programs.

San Francisco Art Institute has an Artist Resource Center located in the student affairs area. The center has several computers, periodicals, books, and catalogues with several avenues of opportunity that are available for artists.

The San Francisco Art Institute library was established through a gift from the philanthropist Albert Bender in 1935. The library's collection emphasizes modern and contemporary art, art history, theory, and criticism. It consists of 26,000 volumes, including a collection of exhibition catalogues and subscriptions to more than 200 periodicals. The library sponsors an annual artist's book contest for students and has changing exhibitions of books, posters, photographs, and other ephemera. Students can also search the library's catalog online.

San Francisco Art Institute implemented a residency requirement for all new first year and transfer students. Students are required to live in campus housing their first academic year.

This school profile has been compiled and updated by The CollegeBound Network. The school is not affiliated with The CollegeBound Network and shall not be considered a sponsor of this program.