Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
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Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

America's First Museum and Art School

118-128 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA

About Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

Historic Victorian museum offers 19th- & 20th-century American works, plus a fine art school & cafe. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), established in 1805, holds the distinction of being America's first museum and art school. Located in Philadelphia, PAFA is renowned for its world-class museum collection of 19th- and 20th-century American art and its commitment to art education. While historically offering Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degrees, PAFA announced the discontinuation of these degree-granting programs at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. The institution is refocusing its mission to emphasize certificate and continuing education programs, alongside a long-standing joint Bachelor of Fine Arts degree partnership with the University of Pennsylvania. PAFA's core purpose is to inspire the public by expanding the narratives of American art and to cultivate innovative artists and critical thinkers.
Program NameDetails
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Bachelor

The BFA program provides a foundation in fine arts with concentrations in Drawing, Illustration, Painting, Printmaking, or Sculpture. Students develop skills through studio work, research, and critique, culminating in a personal artistic path.

4 Years
English
Tuition and fees average $44,600 per year.
Deadline: Not specified in search results.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Master

The MFA program offers advanced study in fine arts, fostering individual artistic growth and critical dialogue. Students engage in rigorous studio practice and benefit from acclaimed faculty and state-of-the-art facilities.

2 Years
English
Not specified in search results.
Deadline: Not specified in search results.
Certificate Programs
Certificate

The certificate program provides training in drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking. The program includes two years of fundamental skills and two years of independent study with faculty critiques.

4 Years
English
Not specified in search results.
Deadline: Not specified in search results.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Architecture (in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania)
Bachelor

This program, offered in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania's College of Arts & Sciences, allows undergraduates to study architecture with concentrations in Design, History & Theory, and Intensive Design. While the B.A. doesn't directly qualify for architectural licensure, it prepares students for M.Arch programs.

4 Years (8 Semesters)
English
Approximately $58,620 per year.
Deadline: Fall (August)

Performance & Metrics

Institutional Stats
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Students
0
Faculty
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Alumni
4
Programs
Accreditations & Affiliations
Accredited through the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Admissions
Deadlines
For Continuing Education, Winter/Spring 2026 scholarship application deadline was January 9. Applications for the joint BFA program with the University of Pennsylvania are currently paused. Standalone BFA and MFA programs are being discontinued after the 2024-2025 academic year, thus no new admissions are being accepted for these degrees.
Requirements
Requirements for continuing education and certificate programs vary by course. Specific requirements for the joint BFA with the University of Pennsylvania would be handled through the University of Pennsylvania's admissions process, but applications are currently paused.

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Academic FAQ

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is America's First Museum and Art School

Applicants are typically required to submit: Requirements for continuing education and certificate programs vary by course. Specific requirements for the joint BFA with the University of Pennsylvania would be handled through the University of Pe....

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts provides a comprehensive curriculum including: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Certificate Programs, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Architecture (in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania).

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is situated in Philadelphia, United States, offering a vibrant context for architectural study.

Yes, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts holds accreditations from: Accredited through the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education..