On June 2, 1875, a group of art students had the radical idea to create their own art school—one designed for and run by independent artists.  

These students started the Art Students League of New York—an atelier-style institution where anyone with an interest in art education can learn traditional fine art technique.

In 2025, the Art Students League of New York will have been making high-quality, studio-based art education accessible to all for 150 years.

To honor our anniversary, the League will be hosting a series of events that celebrate our legacy and highlight our impact on New York City arts and culture, past and present.  

Throughout our anniversary year, the League will partner with local museums, galleries, and cultural institutions in a Salute to the League that celebrates artists who have contributed to our shared history. These celebrations will culminate on the League’s Founders Day, a holiday which commemorates the independent spirit and creative spark that inspired our school’s founding. This year’s Founders Day weekend is packed with exciting ways to celebrate and learn more about the league—including our 150^th Anniversary Exhibition, the Dream Ball, a special anniversary Homecoming, and a Founder’s Day Open House.

It is important that we use this opportunity to reflect on the League’s history. To do so, we’ve commissioned 150 Stories, an educational and commemorative book of essays focused on significant milestones from League history, written by leading historians, curators, and scholars. Through Bloomberg Connects, we’ll be showing how League artists have formed the fabric of New York City with a guided tour of 150 public artworks by League artists.