Policies

Artistic Freedom

The League reserves the right to approve or deny artwork included in its exhibitions based on an internal review by management, instructors and the Board.

The Art Students League of New York is a community where freedom of inquiry and freedom of expression are highly valued. TheLeague recognizes that these rights are particularly necessary and inherent in the creation of authentic and original art. The League is committed to maintaining an environment in which all students and artists at the League can express themselves freely.

Youth

No child under 8 years of age may be registered for any class. Students 17 years of age and under must submit a letter from a parent or legal guardian approving registration in adult classes. There are weekend classes for children (8–12 years of age). View children's classes here and teen classes here.

Registration

Registration is by the calendar month throughout the year. Students may start class anytime based on availability. Waitlists are maintained for filled classes. Students pay an Annual Registration Fee that is nonrefundable and nontransferable. The League accepts payment by cash, check ,or credit card. Class Tickets are emailed to students upon registration. The Class Ticket is required proof of registration. The Certificate Program requires advance registration for the full semester.

International Students

The League is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. International students must apply and be accepted to the Certificate Program in one of three areas of concentration: painting, sculpture, or printmaking. For further information visit the Certificate Program page.

Lockers

Please see Supplies & Lockers for more details.

Studios

At its 57th Street location The League maintains facilities for painting, drawing, printmaking (etching, lithography), sculpture (welding, stone and wood carving, clay, ceramics, wax, mold-making and finishing processes), and mixed media.

Kiln

The kiln is only available to registered clay and ceramic sculpture students, whose work can be fired for a nominal fee.

Casting Room

Registered clay sculpture students may use the Casting Room only for the session in which they are registered. Students who wish to use the Casting Room during a session in which they are not registered must pay a $15 fee per session.

Art Supply Store

The League maintains a store in the school as a convenience to the students and the public, specializing in materials on class supply lists. It sells a wide variety of art materials at reasonable prices. It is open during the day and evening sessions on weekdays and on weekends. Please see Supplies & Lockers for more details about class supplies. Please see the Art Supply Store page for hours, brands and contact information.

Café Atelier

The Art Students League’s café, Café Atelier, is located on the third floor, and has a history dating back to 1892 as a place where famous artists drank coffee and held court with fellow students and instructors. The cafeteria currently provides seating for students, instructors, models, and staff. See the Café Atelier page for hours and more details.

Gallery

Located on the second floor, the Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery presents a lively series of exhibitions. These include work from the League’s Permanent Collection, by League instructors, other prominent artists, and grant winners. See the Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery page for hours and more details.

Permanent Collection

The League’s permanent collection documents its history with 2,000 paintings, prints, sculptures, and drawings by instructors and students recognized for the excellence of their work. Winslow Homer, Georgia O’Keeffe, Alexander Calder, John Sloan, and James Rosenquist are among the artists represented. The collection is particularly strong in the areas of academic life drawings and prints. Please see the Permanent Collection page for more details.

Student Salons

The Salons are a series of weeklong class exhibitions, January through May, held in the League gallery. See Students Salons for more details.

Holiday Show & Sale

Each December, the League hosts a sale of student work. All students enrolled in class for December are eligible to participate.

Photography and Digital Devices

There is no photography of models permitted under any circumstances. All photography is prohibited while in the studios. Students are expected to use personal digital devices with discretion and without disruption. Please refrain from using a smartphone or other digital device that may have a camera during class—even if you are not taking photographs. This will help avoid any confusion. Please refer to the Student Conduct Guidelines for more details.

End of Session Clean-Out

The Art Students League closes for a short period of time at the end of each session (Regular and Summer) to clean and maintain the studios.All materials must be removed from studios at the close of each session. TheLeague is not responsible for materials that have been left in any of the studios during these clean-out periods.

Membership

A League student who wishes to apply for membership must have attended The League a minimum of 210 class hours to be eligible. This is approximately equivalent to three months of full-time classes, six months of part-time (two days/week) classes, or one year of part-time (one day/week)classes. All past class hours are applied retroactively to those who have beenLeague students but who are no longer registered. Students apply for membership by entering their information into the Candidates for Membership book in the main office. Candidates must have one member sign the book as a proposer of membership, and two members as sponsors. This must be completed no later than 30 days prior to the date of a forthcoming Members Business meeting, which takes place in January, April, October, and December. Annual Membership renewal is due August 31st of each year. After ten years of active membership (upon the eleventh payment of dues), membership status changes to Life Member, with all the privileges of membership and no further membership dues. The late afternoon Open Sketch classes (Monday–Friday) are free to League members. Members who take classes or Open Sketch must pay the Annual Registration fee. All members in good standing have the right to vote and voice opinions at membership meetings, and also have the right to elect, as well as to be elected, to the Board of Control. Visit the Membership page for more information.

Part-time Registration

Students may register part-time in classes not already filled by full-time students. Students may register half-day or full-day (AM and/or PM session) for weekend classes.

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. The Art Students League of New York (the “League”) does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, status as a protected veteran, disability, or age, in admission to or employment in its education programs or activities. For information, contact the League’s Title IX Coordinator: Astrid Rodriguez, 646-838-9132 or astrid@artstudentsleague.org.

Grants, Scholarships, Work-Study

Students enrolled in full- and part-time classes may be eligible to apply for work-study scholarships and merit-based grants and  scholarships. Eligibility requirements and a list of available scholarships and grants may be obtained in The League office. Tuition aid scholarships are based on documented financial need. Work-Study requires up to four hours of work per week and covers $335 of the tuition (excluding fees) for one school year (September–May). Contact the Work-Study Coordinator for more information. Merit scholarships and grants are based on juried competition each spring. Please visit the Grants and Scholarship page for further information.

Entrance Requirements

There are no entrance requirements or examinations, and no previous art experience is required. Instructors in some advanced classes may require an interview prior to class admission.  Other entrance requirements apply to the Certificate Program. Learn more about the Certificate Program here.

The Certificate Program: Prescribed Course of Study

The Certificate Program consists of a two- or four-year Prescribed Course of Study leading to a Certificate of Completion in one of the following fine arts disciplines: painting, printmaking, sculpture, or mixed media. For more information, application deadlines, and procedures, please visit the Certificate Program page or email inquiries to tom@artstudentsleague.org.

Transcripts and Registration Records

An Official Transcript is a record of student coursework provided by The League to another institution and is never provided directly to a student. A Registration Record is an unofficial transcript that can be provided to the student. Students will be charged a fee for Official Transcript and Registration Record requests. Students may request and submit a Transcript/Registration Record Request Form by emailing studentaffairs@artstudentsleague.org.

Holidays

The League will be closed in observance of the following holidays: Labor Day, Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Independence Day. No evening classes are held on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Please see the Academic Calendar for latest dates.

Instruction

League instructors are nationally recognized, professional artists. The instructor is present in the studio twice a week, or as otherwise specified in the schedule of classes. When the instructor is not present, the class is under the charge of a monitor or teaching assistant, who maintains the class in accordance with the Student Conduct Guidelines, Monitor Guidelines, and Studio Policies.

Non-Discrimination

The League is committed to maintaining an atmosphere free from all forms of discrimination or harassing behavior in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other school administered programs. All students have equal access to the rights, privileges, programs, and activities made available at The League. Both League policy and law prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, race, color, disability, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or sex. Any student who wishes to report violations of these policies should contact the executive director or the president of the Board of Control. Copies of the non-harassment policy in its entirety are available in the office.

School Calendar

The Art Students League has two sessions per year. The Regular Session is nine months from September to May; the Summer Session is from June to August. The Certificate Program has two 16-week semesters: Fall, from September to December, and Spring, from January to May. The League closes for routine maintenance following each session.

Waitlists and Lottery Registration

This is on a first-come, first-served basis. Part-time registration may be available only after a session has begun. Some classes may already be filled at the beginning of registration with returning students. For those classes, during the first week of registration for either Regular orSummer Session, students may enter a lottery. From the lottery, a waitlist is created. Students are contacted from this waitlist based on class availability. Waitlists are discontinued at the end of each session.

Educational/Professional Development Credit and Academic Credit

League classes are approved for credit by the New York City Department of Education toward the 175 teacher professional development hours. While the League does not award academic credit for coursework, under certain agreements and memoranda of understanding, accredited institutions do award credit toward a degree to their students for study at the League.

Tuition

Tuition is due before the first of the calendar month. However, students wishing to continue their studies in fully subscribed classes must pay tuition for the next month no later than the 21st of the current month or risk forfeiting their place in the class. First-time tuition in a class will be prorated as of the date of registration. However, there is no prorating of tuition for students who were registered for the same class during the preceding month.

Organization

The Art Students League of New York has always been operated by its members, through an annually elected Board of Control. The board consists of twelve officers, three of whom must be students enrolled in the school. At the Annual Meeting, League members elect a president, two vice-presidents, and three other officers. Of the six officers elected, at least three, not including the president, must be selected from the retiring Board of Control. The six officers, elected at this annual meeting, then meet within ten days and elect six other officers, and appoint a treasurer, a corresponding secretary, and a recording secretary. Officers of the Board of Control do not receive remuneration from the Art Students League of New York for their services and are not eligible for any salaried position in theLeague. The Board of Control endeavors to interpret and carry out the wishes of the students and members while adhering to the constitution and devising and implementing policies in accordance with its mission. It determines financial and administrative policies. The executive director, who works with the Board in an advisory capacity and is in charge of the administration of the school, executes these policies. The Board meets on a regular basis. Requests, suggestions, or student problems must be submitted in writing to the executive director.

Standards of Conduct

Students, members, and staff are expected to maintain a standard of behavior conducive to the spirit of learning and working at theLeague. Any violation, including physical confrontation, use of abusive language, destruction of school property, or any behavior deemed by the executive director or Board of Control to be in violation of The League’s standards of behavior, may result in suspension and/or expulsion. Staff, students, and others are prohibited from being on the premises or otherwise representing The League under the influence of, in possession of, selling/buying, or otherwise exchanging any illegal drug, or misusing or abusing alcohol or legally obtained drugs. Any employee, student, or visitor toThe League who violates this policy will be asked to leave the premises and maybe banned from all further interactions at or with The League.

Student Conduct Guidelines

The Art Students League is committed to maintaining an environment that fosters courtesy, respect and appropriate conduct among all those associated with the League, including instructors, students, staff members and visitors. Some guidelines are set out below. Other policies are set out in additional documents distributed to those who interact with the League.Failure to adhere to the guidelines below, those in any applicable document issued by the League or general standards of behavior expected of those associated with the League may lead to suspension or expulsion from the League.

Conduct in and around League Property: Users of League property are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous manner in terms of movement, noise level, etc. The League’s various locations are private property, and the League reserves the right to exercise appropriate control over behavior on its property, and to evict any person from its property in a lawful manner.

Use of Cell Phones

Cell phones must be switched off or turned to silent mode while in the studio.Talking or texting on cell phones in the studios is not allowed under any circumstances. Cell phones may be used outside the studios out of audible range of other classes. Students may use cell phones to photograph their own work only when there is no model posing in the room. Using cell phones for photography or to photograph artwork while models are posing is strictly prohibited.

Instructors

League instructors are all professional working artists held in high regard among their peers and should be treated accordingly. Instructors are authorized to teach their classes and workshops according to their methodology while observing the standards of behavior set by the League. Instructors may decline to accept students and may expel students whose behavior has been or is disruptive to the class or has been or is otherwise inappropriate.

Models and Model Posing Schedules

Models are an important part of the League community, and they are to be treated with courtesy and respect. Under no circumstances should their personal space be violated. They must be permitted to disrobe and robe in privacy, and they should never be subject to unwanted advances or physical contact. Models may not be photographed under any circumstances. Model posing schedules must be correctly observed. Students may not enter the studio while the model is posing. Comments or directions regarding the pose must be communicated by the instructor or monitor only. Students may not interact with the model during a pose, and noise and other distractions should be kept to a minimum during pose periods.

Monitors are responsible for timing poses and breaks. There will be a 5-minute break every 20 minutes and a 20-minute “long break” once during the session. Pose and break times will be posted outside the studio doors, and schedules will be available from the class monitor. [Additional class policies may be in place based on individual instructor preferences, subject to administrative approval.]

Monitors and Monitor Teaching Assistants

Monitors represent the administration in carrying out the policies of The League as well as the directions and preferences of the class instructor. They are responsible to managing the class in session, and students must comply with their directions in accordance to the instructor requirements and League guidelines and policies. Monitors are required to collect registration tickets, check class rosters for enrollment, arrange the workstations for the students, call the model poses, and maintain order in the class. Monitor Teaching Assistants (TA) assist students (primarily beginning students) in their learning experience, as directed by the instructor. Any concerns students have regarding the operation of the class should be addressed initially to the monitor, unless the student believes the matter is more appropriately raised directly with the administration, in which case the student must come to the main office to speak with an Administrative Manager.

Students

The League’s atelier system creates a community environment which requires community participation.In order to maintain the spirit of fraternity, a core value of the League’s mission, it is important for students to be respectful of fellow students at all times. Students should be aware of the boundaries of workspace assigned to them and should be mindful not to interfere with the sightline of other students working from the model. Any student wearing headphones while working in the studio should make sure that sound cannot be heard by others. No student or student’s work is permitted to touch another student’s work. Eating in the studios is strictly prohibited. Students cannot eat in the studios, as it may disrupt the work of others and can be dangerous in the presence of paint and solvents.

Media/Photo Release

I understand that videos, photographs, and recordings of me and/or of my artwork (“Images”) may be made in connection with any activities of the Art Students League of New York (“League”). I hereby consent to the taking of such images and grant the League permission to use any such Images in all matters related to the League’s purposes, mission, and activities, including for educational, informational, and news purposes, and to publicize, advertise, and promote theLeague. In granting this permission, I understand that the League may publish such images or portions thereof, with or without my name, in print, online, or by any other means, at any time, and for public view worldwide.

Materials and Solvents

TheLeague is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for all who enter on the premises. Most classes have a suggested list of materials for use in the studio. Students, particularly those new to a class, should always consult with instructors and monitors before purchasing or using new or atypical materials. Only odorless mineral spirits (OMS) are allowed to be used as solvents in studios. The use of turpentine and turpentine-based solvents, mediums or varnishes is strictly prohibited. Acids, fixative sprays or adhesives not on the class materials list or the use of those materials outside of designated areas, is strictly prohibited. Studios are equipped with refuse cans for the disposal of art materials and other refuse and should be used as labeled.

Lockers

Access to lockers within studios is permitted only when class is not in session or during model/class breaks as posted. The League reserves the right, at its discretion and without notice, to search all lockers for any reason, and to remove and discard any item within a locker it deems inappropriate. Students are responsible for observing all locker policies as set forth by theAdministration and as published in the League’s catalog, website, and StudentInformation Form.

Storage of Artwork

The League provides storage space for work in progress in the studios. In the painting studios, no more than two paintings (a finished piece drying plus one in process), per student may be stored at any particular time. At all times, students must be mindful that works in-progress may be wet. When storing paintings in racks students must take care not to touch painted surfaces of other works. In the sculpture studios, one stone or wood piece in progress maybe stored at a time. In the clay sculpture studio students are limited to the work on their assigned stand. Stored artwork exceeding these limits or not removed prior to semi-annual (May and August) League clean-up periods, or any inappropriate or hazardous stored materials may, at the discretion of theLeague and without notice, be removed and discarded. Students must comply with the League’s policies with respect to studio clean-out periods. Do not store any materials in the racks, other than works in progress: palettes, plastic bags, boards, or pads etc.

Alcohol and Illegal Drugs

Alcohol may not be consumed on League premises except during official League functions. Illegal drugs may not be brought or consumed on League premises at any time.Violators in accordance with the Law may be prosecuted and will be subject to expulsion.

Public notice

Throughout the school year printed notices are posted to inform the student body of important administrative dates and events. By enrolling in and attending class the student acknowledges and is responsible for complying with Art Students League policies as detailed in the catalog, student guidelines and the StudentInformation Form.

Harassment

Every individual at the League is expected to adhere to and to maintain a standard of behavior that facilitates learning and promotes cooperation and respect for others.Accordingly, the League is committed to enforcing its Discrimination andHarassment Policy and Standards of Conduct Policy to create an environment free from discrimination, harassment, retaliation and/or sexual assault. The League does not tolerate harassment of any kind.Harassment is unwelcome verbal or physical conduct prohibited by law directed toward, or differential treatment of, an individual because of his/her membership in any protected group or on any other prohibited basis such color, race, gender and/or gender identify or expression, creed, religion, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other legally prohibited basis. Examples of such conduct include, but are not limited to: offensive or degrading remarks, verbal abuse, other hostile behavior such as insulting, teasing, mocking, degrading or ridiculing another person or group; racial slurs, derogatory remarks about a person’s accent, or display of racially offensive symbols; unwelcome or inappropriate physical contact, comments, questions, advances, jokes, epithets or demands; physical assault or stalking; displays or electronic transmission of derogatory, demeaning or hostile materials; destruction of League property, or any behavior deemed by the Executive Director or Board of Control to be in violation of the standards of behavior of the League.

Violation of the League’s Discrimination andHarassment Policy and/or Standards of Conduct Policy

Violation of the League’s Discrimination andHarassment Policy and/or Standards of Conduct Policy may result in expulsion from the League. Any individual who wishes to report violations of these policies should contact the Executive Director or thePresident of the Board of Control. Copies of the League’s Discrimination andHarassment Policy and Standards of Conduct Policy are available in the League office. Any form of retaliation against any individual who has complained of or formally reported discrimination, harassment, or sexual assault, or has participated in an investigation of such a complaint, regardless of whether the complaint relates to the complaining person or someone else, will not be tolerated, and will be considered a violation of the League’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy, Standards of Conduct Policy and applicable law.

Refunds & Transfers

Please our Refunds page for more details. Students requesting a refund must submit a Request for Refund Form.‍

Please submit the completed form either by email: info@artstudentsleague.org or in person.

Refunds will be made to the student by check, credit card or on their student account. Allow two weeks for processing of a check. Please verify your address.

Veterans Training

The League is approved to accept students who wish to use their Veterans Education Benefits for classes.. Students entitled to Veterans Education Benefits must apply and be accepted to the Certificate Program. To check your eligibility status, visit gibill.va.gov or call the Veterans Affairs toll-free number: (888) 442- 4551.