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Professional Practice Program
HOW TO APPLY:
DEADLINE: August 15, 2026
PROGRAM START DATE: September 8, 2026
ELIGIBILITY
The Professional Practice Program uses an open application process. A successful application is based on the strength of the applicant’s portfolio and application materials. Artists working in all media are invited to apply. In addition, applicants must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be able to attend workshops and colloquium sessions in-person at the Art Students League, as well as travel within the New York City metropolitan area
- Possess a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- Not be concurrently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program
TUITION: $9,100 (paid in installments of $4,550 per semester)
Tuition does not include the optional locker rental or material costs. Tuition is subject to change.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Lynn Tomaszewski, Provost
ltomaszewski@artstudentsleague.org
About the Professional Practice Program
The Art Students League of New York’s Professional Practice program is a nine-month program designed for serious professional artists who wish to build the skills and community needed to support an individually designed, and sustainable studio practice in the arts.
This colloquium led by artist and Springs Projects co-founder TOMMY WHITE will serve as the anchor of the program. Tommy will act as mentor, coach, and curator to help each artist make connections and begin to take the needed steps toward a sustainable practice. At the end of the program, artists will build a five-year plan with actionable, achievable steps.
Topics covered include:
· Building business skills (accounting, taxes, pricing work, archiving and estate planning)
· Creating opportunities (exhibitions, residencies, grants)
· Preparing exhibitions
· Marketing your work (especially on social media)
· Finding a community
· Conducting studio visits
In addition to the colloquium, participants will attend short-term workshops focused on specific topics related to the marketing and business of art, which are led by leaders in the field, and will also be open to artists outside the program.
Additionally, our day-long intensive symposiums are a chance to network with thoughtleaders, and build community with other professional artists. Programs will address issues critical to how artists survive.
This is a part-time, but intensive program that requires a minimum commitment of 7 hours per week, the majority of which will be spent on-site in the Art Students League historic studios at 215 W 57th Street.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Curriculum Vitae/Artist Resume
- Statement of Intent
- Artist Statement
- Artist Portfolio (15-20 examples of original artwork. Include no more than 3 details.)
- Video works: 1 minute = 1 image
- File size should not exceed 2MB
Eligibility & Requirements
Statement of Intent and C.V.
A Statement of Intent describes your reason for pursuing the Professional Practice program with the Art Students League. You are encouraged to include information about yourself, your creative practice, and your ambitions for your practice, as well as any relevant information that may not be immediately apparent from a review of your portfolio and application. A Curriculum Vitae or résumé details your art-related activities and accomplishments.
Artwork Portfolio
Online artwork submission of 20 images (.jpg, .wmv, .mpg, .mov, .mp4) are required. It is advised that applicants select recent work and include no more than 3 detail images. If submitting video work, one minute of video is equivalent to 1 of the 20 images.
Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $50 is due upon submission.
Language Proficiency
English language proficiency is required.
International Students
This program is not authorized for I-20 Certificate of Eligibility issuance. Students in F-1 status or visiting the United States on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa or under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) are not eligible to enroll. Students on Post Completion OPT may wish to contact the League for advising about enrollment in this program.
Other Program Fees in addition to tuition
- $150 Student Fee per Semester (all professional practice program students).
(Note: Fees are subject to change without prior notice.)
Applying to the Professional Practice Program
Fall 2026 Application Deadlines:
- The Fall 2026 Semester begins September 8, 2026.
- Professional Practice Program candidates may submit the application no later than August 15, 2026. The application must be complete by this date with all supporting documents submitted. Incomplete applications may result in denial or deferred admission.
Program Advising
Successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance and will receive further information about program advising and enrollment.
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. All students meeting the eligibility requirements who have submitted an application in accordance with the instructions above will be considered.
CURRICULUM
Semester 1 (Fall Session):
- Professional Practice Colloquium 1 with Tommy White—Studio Practice Skills
Led by artist Tommy White, the colloquium will serve as the connecting thread between topics introduced in the workshops, allowing participants to begin tailoring the skills they’ve learned to their individual artists goals. Through group and individual meetings, participants will create a five-year aspirational studio plan, with actionable, achievable steps. The instructor will serve as mentor, coach and curator to help each artist make connections and begin to take the needed steps toward a sustainable practice in NYC (and beyond).
SCHEDULE: 2 classes per week, Tuesdays from 4:50–10 PM and Wednesdays from 4:50–6:40 PM and 7:00-10:15PM.
- Workshop—The Mechanics of Sustaining a Creative Life, Sharon Louden [September 15 & 16, 2026]
This workshop offers timely, practical tools and pathways artists can use to sustain their creative lives. Sharon Louden will share strategies for applying studio-based creativity to daily life, building sustainable practices, and navigating the realities of an artist’s career. Drawing from her Living and Sustaining a Creative Life book series and more than a decade of conversations with thousands of artists, Louden will share insights gathered from over 200 public events across the U.S. and abroad. Her research also includes ongoing dialogue with gallery owners, museum professionals, critics, curators, and others across the art world. The workshop will include ample time for questions and discussion throughout, allowing participants to engage directly with the material and connect it to their own creative lives.
SCHEDULE: 2 day workshop takes place on September 15 & 16, 2026, for approximately 2 hours each day.
- Symposium—Professional Development Intensive [October 3, 2026]
This day-long intensive serves as a symposium and will be open to artists outside of the program. Events throughout the day include a panel discussion of How Galleries Work, a networking lunch, a lecture by Sharon Louden on creating a sustainable creative life, and a tutorial on art law basics.
SCHEDULE: 1 day symposium takes place on October 3, 2026, from 10–4 PM
- Workshop— Artist Finances, Taxes, and Recordkeeping with Hannah Cole, Sunlight Taxes, ENROLLED AGENT and Founder of Sunlight Tax [October 7, 2026]
This workshop addresses participants’ questions about pressing tax-related issues, and will be led by Hannah Cole, a tax expert, artist, and small business owner who specializes in working with self-employed people, especially creative and mission-driven ones. Topics include the basic tax equation, self-employment tax and the estimated quarterly tax system, audit concerns for the creative person, and other tax issues specifically relevant to freelancers, and solo businesses, followed by a robust Q &A.
SCHEDULE: 1 day workshop takes place on October 7, 2026, for approximately 3 hours
- Workshop— Social Media, Marketing, and More with Robin Cembalest [October 27–28, 2026 & November 3–4, 2026]
This series of four two-hour workshops will be packed with tips, advice, and strategies for putting yourself out there and building your public career. Sessions cover social media, writing about your art, promoting shows and projects, finding opportunities, and more. Participants will leave with a full toolkit that can help artists at all stages of their careers. Robin Cembalest, the former longtime editor of ARTnews, will share examples and best practices from all types of content as she provides personalized feedback and action steps for each student.
SCHEDULE: 4-day workshop that meets October 27–28, 2026 & November 3–4, 2026 or November 3–4, 2026 & November 10–11, 2026, for approximately 2 hours each day
- Workshop— Finance & Estate Planning for Artists [December 8]
This workshop will cover foundational financial and estate planning skills that artists need to know to run a sustainable small business and to plan for the future of their studio legacy. A financial expert will share some framing strategies, and an estate planning expert will outline planning strategies and resources.
SCHEDULE: 1 day workshop taking place on December 8, 2026, for approximately 2 hours
Semester 2 (Spring Session):
- Professional Practice Colloquium 2 with Tommy White: Professional Pathways
In this semester, participants will build upon the skills they developed in the first semester, specifically learning how to form sustainable income streams. Through group and individual meetings, workshops, and field trips, participants will create and build business plans for alternative income streams that support and complement the revenue created by your studio practice. The instructor will serve as mentor, coach and help each artist build their sustainable studio practice.
SCHEDULE: 2 classes per week on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays, from 4:50–6:40 PM and/or 7–10:00 PM
- Additional Workshops for Semester 2 TBD