Academy of Art University

For-profit art school in San Francisco, USA

Not to be confused with San Francisco Art Institute.

Academy of Art University

Former name

| Académie of Advertising Art,
Academy of Advertising Art,
Richard Stephens Academy of Art,
Academy of Art College
Motto| Built by artists for artists
Type| Private for-profit art school
Established| 1929
President| Elisa Stephens

Academic staff

| 126 full-time
492 part-time
Students| 6,320
Undergraduates| 4,191[1]
Postgraduates| 2,129
Location|

San Francisco

California

United States

Campus| Urban and online
Colors| Black and Red

Sporting affiliations

| NCAA Division II
Website| academyart.edu

The Academy of Art University (AAU, or ART U), formerly Academy of Art College and Richard Stephens Academy of Art, is a private for-profit art school in San Francisco, California. It was founded as the Academy of Advertising Art by Richard S. Stephens in 1929.[2] The school is one of the largest property owners in San Francisco, with the main campus located on New Montgomery Street in the South of Market district.[3]

In fall 2024, it had 121 full-time teachers, 485 part-time teaching staff, and 6,320 students;[1] it claims to be the largest privately owned art and design school in the United States.[4]

## History

[edit]

It was founded in 1929 as Académie of Advertising Art,[5] a school for advertising art, at 215 Kearny Street.[6] The founder, Richard S. Stephens,[7] a painter and editor for Sunset Magazine, led it until 1951 when his son Richard A. Stephens took over. In 1992, Stephens was replaced by his daughter, Elisa Stephens.[8][6] Under her presidency, student numbers increased to 18,000 by 2011.[9]

The university owns and operates the Academy of Art University Automobile Museum which has a collection of 200 vintage cars going back to the 1990s.[10][11][12]

The school has been participating in the NY Fashion Week event bi-annually since 2005.[13][14][15] Every year, the university hosts a spring show that highlights student work from the school's 75 disciplines.[16]

In 2006, AAU acquired the Commodore Hotel for approximately $15.7 million; the building was then converted into co-ed student housing, called "Commodore Hall."[17]

In 2009, four former admission officers alleged that the school had compensated them based on how many students they could enroll, which was an incentive-based recruitment technique.[18][19][20][21][22] The former employees sued the school in U.S. District Court in Oakland in 2009.[20]

In May 2016, the city of San Francisco brought a lawsuit against Academy of Art University after possible violations of city land-use laws, including the unauthorized conversion of rent-controlled housing to academic use.[20][22][23][24] In December 2016, the school was ordered pay the city $20 million in fees and $40 million in housing concessions, such as providing low-income housing for seniors.[25][26] In January 2020, the agreement was amended, requiring the Academy of Art University to pay $37.6 million to build affordable housing.[22][27]

In 2023, ten architecture and landscape projects by AAU students were featured in Dezeen magazine.[28]

In 2024, AAU sold the Da Vinci Villa, a 153-unit student housing complex in Russian Hill, for $16.5 million.[29] It was also announced that AAU plans to sell the 114-unit Commodore student dorm building and restore its former use as a hotel. The university currently lists student housing options at 560 Powell St.; 620 Sutter St.; 680 Sutter St.; 1080 Bush St.; and 655 Sutter St.[17]

## Academics

[edit]

The school offers associate, bachelor's[30] and master's degrees[31] in about twenty-two subjects.[30] Some courses are offered online.[30][32] As of 2015, the school had not published job placement rates since 2006, and was disagreeing with the US Department of Education over whether it is required to do so.[20]

Academy of Art University received regional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in 2007.[33] In interior architecture and design, the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (taught or online) and Master of Fine Arts degree are accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.[34] The Master of Architecture degree has, since January 1, 2006, been accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board while the Bachelor of Architecture program was granted as of January 1, 2015.[35][36]

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 45% of students who began their studies in fall 2013 completed a four-year degree within 150% of that time (the "6-year graduation rate").[1] For online-only students, the 6-year graduation rate was 6% and 3% for part-time students in mid-2015.[37] Approximately 35% of all students were online-only in 2015.[37] In 2016, roughly 7% of students completed a four-year degree within the allotted time.[32]

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics in 2019, the school's graduation rate for "full-time, first-time" students was 45%.[38] The school has open admissions and an admission acceptance rate of 100%.[30][32] In 2016, its accreditor expressed concern over low graduation rates; 37% of students who enrolled in 2010 graduated by 2017.[19]

## Athletics

[edit]

Main article: Academy of Art Urban Knights

The school sports teams, the Urban Knights, compete as members of the Pacific West Conference in 14 sports in NCAA Division II.[39]

In the 2014–2015 season, the men's cross country team had a second-place finish and the women's team had a record fourth-place finish, earned at the Pacific West Conference Championships. Valentin Pepiot, their third NCAA Nationals individual qualifier, was one of the top finishers from the PacWest in the postseason finale.[40] Academy of Art earned a record 10 PacWest postseason honors. For the 2015 indoor and outdoor track and field seasons, they had seven All-American honors and one NCAA individual champion in Jordan Edwards.[40]

In May 2023, the San Francisco Shock announced a partnership with Academy of Art University for its 2023 OWL season. The university's campus will be the official home of the Shock, allowing access to its facilities and housing.[41]

On April 4, 2025, university officials announced that they were eliminating the athletic department following the 2024–2025 season.[42]

## Notable alumni

[edit]

See also: Category:Academy of Art University alumni

* Mobolade Ajomale, Canadian Olympic sprinter[43]
* Henry Asencio, figurative painter[44]
* Rick Baker, winner of an Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling and special effects for An American Werewolf in London[45]
* Deanne Fitzmaurice, photographer and photojournalist, winner of a 2005 Pulitzer Prize[46][47]
* Vicky Jenson, film director[48]
* Kara Laricks, fashion designer[49][50]
* Bilal Lashari, Pakistani film director and cinematographer
* Cheol-ha Lee, film director[51]
* Chris Milk, music video director and photographer[46][52]
* Rodrigo Prieto, cinematographer[53]
* Jolene Marie Cholock-Rotinsulu, Indonesian actress, TV commercial model, singer, Puteri Indonesia 2019 and Miss International Indonesia 2019[54]
* Rudianto Soedjarwo, Indonesian film director, film and television movie producer, cinematographer, graphic designer and film maker[55]
* Raven-Symoné, actress and singer
* Agnieszka Pilat, artist

## Notable faculty

[edit]

See also: Category:Academy of Art University faculty

Past and present faculty of the school include:

* Diane Baker, actress[56]
* Tom Bertino, animator[57][58]
* James Claussen, lithographer and abstract painter[59]
* Richard Hart, journalist[60]
* Kamshad Kooshan, movie writer & director[61]
* Tim McGovern, Academy Award-winning visual effects director[62]
* Jana Sue Memel, film producer, director, & writer[63]
* Jack Perez, director and writer[64]
* Adam Savage, creator of MythBusters[65]
* Peter Schifrin (born 1958), Olympic fencer and sculptor
* Doug Siebum, sound designer[66][67]
* Art Spiegelman, cartoonist[68]
* Terryl Whitlatch, illustrator[69]
* Lindsey Yamasaki, basketball player[70]
* Jan Yanehiro, television journalist[71]

## See also

[edit]

* List of colleges and universities in California

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Academy of Art University. College Navigator. National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed October 2023.
2. ^ "The Academy of Art University is a school with a soul". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
3. ^ John Cote (November 15, 2010). "Academy of Art land use violations ignored". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
4. ^ "Who We Are". Academy of Art University website. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
5. ^ Cifuentes, Kevin (May 5, 2022). "French-inspired "quintessential Woodside" estate of controversial former Academy of Art President asks $22.5 million". The Real Deal San Francisco. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
6. ^ a b Brickman, Sophie (May 22, 2011). "Elisa Stephens of Academy of Art University". SFGate. The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
7. ^ Whiting, Sam (June 14, 2017). "Richard Stephens, Academy of Art president, real estate mogul, dies". SFGATE. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
8. ^ Savchuk, Katia. "Black Arts: The $800 Million Family Selling Art Degrees and False Hopes". Forbes. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
9. ^ Lee Romney (July 9, 2012). "San Francisco rule would encourage building student housing". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
10. ^ Clark, Meaghan (March 12, 2015). "Just How Much is Academy of Art's Vintage Car Collection Worth?". TheBoldItalic.com. The Bold Italic. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
11. ^ "Classic cars go on display at the Academy of Art University". ABC 7 San Francisco. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
12. ^ "Join the Chronicle VIP party at the 57th annual International Auto Show". The San Francisco Chronicle. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
13. ^ "Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week". mbfashionweek.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
14. ^ "Academy of Art University (San Francisco, CA, United States)". Fashionista. 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
15. ^ "FashionLedge.com". www.fashionledge.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
16. ^ "The Academy of Art University's Spring Shows Keeps on Springing". Juxtapoz. September 9, 2020.
17. ^ a b Barreira, Alex (April 1, 2024). "Academy of Art University to sell student dorm for apparent restoration as hotel". San Francisco Business Times.
18. ^ Asimov, Nanette (February 18, 2020). "'It's ruined my life': Academy of Art ex-student owes $431,000 and has no job". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
19. ^ a b "Academy of Art could face federal trial over fraud suit". The San Francisco Chronicle. February 11, 2018. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
20. ^ a b c d Savchuk, Katia. "Black Arts: The $800 Million Family Selling Art Degrees and False Hopes". Forbes. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
21. ^ "Fact Sheet: Protecting Students from Abusive Career Colleges | U.S. Department of Education". www.ed.gov. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
22. ^ a b c Asimov, Nanette (February 11, 2018). "Academy of Art could face federal trial over fraud suit". The San Francisco Chronicle. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
23. ^ Vic Lee (May 6, 2016). SF suing Academy of Art University for alleged permit violations. ABC 7 News. Accessed June 2016.
24. ^ Lee, Vic (May 6, 2016). "SF suing Academy of Art University for alleged permit violations". ABC 7 News. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
25. ^ Brinklow, Adam (December 19, 2016). "Academy of Art settles with city, pays $20 million in fees". Curbed. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
26. ^ Phillip Matier; Andrew Ross (December 19, 2016). "Academy of Art agrees to $60 million settlement of SF lawsuit". The San Francisco Chronicle. ISSN 1932-8672.
27. ^ "Academy of Art University will pay San Francisco for the affordable housing it eliminated". The San Francisco Chronicle. January 8, 2020. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
28. ^ "Ten architecture and landscape projects by Academy of Art University". Dezeen. November 23, 2023.
29. ^ Bautista, Christian (June 10, 2024). "Academy of Art University sells Russian Hill housing for $16.5M". Real Deal.
30. ^ a b c d Academy of Art University. Peterson's. Accessed January 2014.
31. ^ Home: Graduate Schools: Academy of Art University. Peterson's. Accessed January 2014.
32. ^ a b c Academy of Art University. U.S. News & World Report. Archived 28 August 2016.
33. ^ "Statement of accreditation status: Academy of Art University". Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, Western Association of Schools and Colleges. July 19, 2007. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
34. ^ "Accredited Program History". Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
35. ^ "Architecture programs: Academy of Art University". National Architectural Accrediting Board. 2006. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
36. ^ "School View". www.naab.org. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
37. ^ a b Katia Savchuk (September 7, 2015). Black Arts: The $800 Million Family Selling Art Degrees and False Hopes. Forbes magazine. Archived August 19, 2015.
38. ^ "College Navigator - Academy of Art University". nces.ed.gov. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
39. ^ "Academy of Art University". NCAA. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
40. ^ a b Garcia, Rob. "ART U Track & Field Announces New Coaching Staff". The PacWest. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
41. ^ Studholme, Billy (May 31, 2023). "San Francisco Shock finds new home in Academy of Art University campus". Esports Insider.
42. ^ "Academy of Art University Announces Discontinuation of Intercollegiate Sports Programs". Academy of Art University Athletics. April 4, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
43. ^ 2015 Universiade bio Archived April 6, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
44. ^ "Artworks of Henry Asencio". Crown Thorn Publishing. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
45. ^ "Legendary Star Wars Special Effects Makeup Artist Announces Retirement". Makeup Artist Edu. June 23, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
46. ^ a b Katie Baker (November 17, 2009). "Ask The Appeal: Does Academy Of Art University Have Any Notable Alumni?". San Francisco Appeal. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
47. ^ "The 2005 Pulitzer prize winners – feature photography: Deanne Fitzmaurice". The Pulitzer Prizes, Columbia University. Retrieved December 17, 2006.
48. ^ Vicky Jenson. ACME Film Works. Accessed June 2016.
49. ^ Dunhill, Heather. "Qs for Fashion Star's Kara Larick". Heather Dunhill's Fashion IQ. Sarasota Magazine. Archived from the original on August 23, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
50. ^ Sarah Gish (March 20, 2012). "My essentials: Kara Laricks of 'Fashion Star'". Ink Magazine. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
51. ^ "2009 Sonoma International Film Festival". ScreenDaily. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
52. ^ "Chris Milk Official Site". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
53. ^ "Academy of Art's Epidemic Film Festival". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
54. ^ "Jolene Marie Cholock Rotinsulu Kumparan Facts". Kumparan Magazine. June 20, 2019.
55. ^ "Guess What?: Rudi Soedjarwo: Leaving the old rules of movie making behind". Retrieved September 21, 2015.
56. ^ Susan King (August 26, 2009). "For Diane Baker, one scene leads to 50 years". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
57. ^ "Tom Bertino". Nova Online. 1997. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
58. ^ "The Animated Side of Star Wars: An Interview With Rob Coleman, The Film's Animation Director". Animated World Network. August 1999. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
59. ^ . Academy of Art University, Board of Directors, Administrators and Faculty, accessed January 25, 2019 https://www.academyart.edu/wp-content/uploads/board-of-directors-administrators-faculty.pdf
60. ^ "Q&A: "Evening Magazine" co-hosts Jan Yanehiro and Richard Hart". San Francisco Chronicle. July 22, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
61. ^ "Sony Pictures to produce "Tehranis" by Director Kamshad Kushan". Payvand Iran News. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
62. ^ "Tim McGovern". Visual Effects Society. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
63. ^ "Faculty". Academy of Art.
64. ^ "Film Director Jack Perez on "Where's Roman"". Apple Podcasts.
65. ^ "Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage". Discovery. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
66. ^ "Faculty". Academy of Art University. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
67. ^ "Doug Siebum | Sound Department, Actor, Additional Crew". IMDb. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
68. ^ "Witzend – groundbreaking 1960s indy comic with art by Wallace Wood, Art Spiegelman, and Frank Frazetta". BoingBoing. August 13, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
69. ^ "Artist Interview with Terryl Whitlatch". Copic. March 15, 2011. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
70. ^ Josh Flynn (December 28, 2010). "Ready to Win". Slam Online. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
71. ^ Peter Hartlaub (July 22, 2010). "Yanehiro, Hart now at Academy of Art in S.F." San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2013.

## External links

[edit]

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