For nearly 150 years, we’ve been developing innovative creative leaders – because we see you differently.
It’s true that our top-level faculty provides a rigorous arts, design or writing education; but to be honest, so do most art schools.
UArts is much more: we’re the only arts school in America that makes it possible to work and collaborate across traditional boundaries. 20 minors are open to all students, so animators can study guitar, dancers can minor in photography, creative writers can take classes in illustration.
We are more because you are more.
#UArtist
Check out some of the work the UArts community is producing. #UArtist is a celebration of the boundless creativity of the UArts community.
Innovative education for nearly 150 years.
Established in 1876, the university was formed by the merging of two century-old institutions: Philadelphia College of Art and Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts. After being granted university status in 1987, the 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.
By the Numbers
Approximately 1,300 students
65% women, 33% men
40%BIPOCenrollment
77 full-time faculty members
Student/faculty ratio: 7.5 to 1
Average class size: 15 students
UArts students hail from 40states and 18foreign countries
6academic buildings in the heart of Philadelphia's arts district
3 residence halls in the arts district
9 professional performance venues on campus
11exhibition/gallery spaces on campus
Laurie Wagman Recording Studios
The newly opened facilities are dedicated to exploring all facets of music production including composition, sound design, digital and analog recording, mixing and mastering.
Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace
Unique to UArts, the Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace is a 3,500-square-foot digital & traditional fabrication studio that brings together the community and serves as a catalyst for the collaboration, experimentation & innovation that’s characteristic of UArts.
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.
Galleries & Performance Spaces
No arts school in Philadelphia offers more galleries and performance spaces than the University of the Arts. From our award-winning Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery to Gallery One, Philadelphia’s only student-run gallery, to our 10 performance venues, UArts has the widest range of spaces to showcase students, outstanding visiting artists and more.
