University of the Arts
Advancing Human Creativity
University of the Arts’ mission is simple: to advance human creativity. UArts believes creativity is the most essential skill for success in today’s society and has educated generations of groundbreaking artists, performers, designers and creative leaders for nearly 150 years.
After being granted university status in 1987, University of the Arts became the largest institution of its kind in the nation, offering programs in design, fine arts, media arts, crafts, music, dance, theater and writing. It now features 22 undergraduate arts majors, 12 graduate programs, and the nation’s first PhD program in Creativity.
Transferring from PAFA to University of the Arts
University of the Arts is ready to welcome you into our dynamic, creative community. Though this may be a difficult time for you, we are here to support you on your professional artistic path and want to make your transition as smooth as possible.
This special, automatic transfer opportunity is available to students enrolled at PAFA for one or both semesters of the 2023–2024 academic year who will be enrolling at UArts in an equivalent program for fall 2024.
University of the Arts has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award. This grant will support the university’s Inspiration Lab (iLAB) Artist-in-Residence program for emerging and mid-career artists who demonstrate strong professional creative practices across a broad range of disciplines, including visual arts, new media, performance, design, film, moving images, writing, choreography, curatorial practice, and music composition and performance.
During nine-month residencies, iLAB artists receive the critical support they need to reflect, experiment, and produce compelling new work, while receiving stipends and studio space together on UArts’ campus.
Additionally, iLAB offers the local arts and culture community, K–12 students, and the public experiences to learn and interact with artists, each other, and the world at large in effective and innovative ways.
“Projects like UArts’ Inspiration Lab (iLAB) exemplify the creativity and care with which communities are telling their stories, creating connection, and responding to challenges and opportunities in their communities—all through the arts,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson. “So many aspects of our communities such as cultural vitality, health and wellbeing, infrastructure, and the economy are advanced and improved through investments in art and design, and the National Endowment for the Arts is committed to ensuring people across the country benefit.”
In total, the NEA will award 1,135 Grants for Arts Projects awards as part of its second round of fiscal year 2024 grants.
Animation Career Review has named UArts:
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the top Illustration school in Pennsylvania,
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among the top 10 Illustration schools on the East Coast, and
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among the top 25 private Illustration schools in the U.S.
Meet UArts
BFA '18
BFA ’07
Laurie Wagman Recording Studios
These state-of-the-art facilities are dedicated to exploring all facets of music production including composition, sound design, digital and analog recording, mixing and mastering.
University Centers
UArts is reimagining the arts university experience. In addition to the distinct opportunity to study outside your major and in Philadelphia’s vibrant cultural center, we’re breaking new ground for creative exploration, expression and learning, year after year.
Rentals@UArts
Host your next event in the heart of Center City on Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts. Discover our unique venues and facilities and treat your guests to a one-of-a-kind experience.
UArtist
#UArtist is a celebration of the boundless creativity of the UArts community. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are welcome to share their work with us via Instagram by including #uartist.
Calendar of Events
See upcoming events in UArts galleries, performance spaces and around campus in Philadelphia.
Equal Opportunities and Nondiscrimination at UArts
In order to create the conditions necessary for human creativity to flourish, University of the Arts is committed to fostering individual and artistic integrity and inclusion by promoting and respecting self-expression, a wide range of ideas, and diversity in all of its forms. UArts does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information, in any of its programs, activities or employment and admission practices.
Questions and complaints pertaining to UArts’ commitment to its nondiscrimination policies and its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility initiatives can be directed to the director for Title IX, equity and compliance at 215-717-6362 or titleix@uarts.edu.