The New York Academy of Art’s Certificate of Fine Art (CFA) is an immersive one-year fine art graduate program. A 36-credit studio sequence, it provides students the opportunity to develop their unique personal vision and traditional technical skills within a specialized, inspiring fine arts school. The CFA program is designed for those seeking intensive instruction in painting, sculpture, and drawing. It provides the perfect preparation for an MFA, or simply a year of intensive study for artists interested in engaging in the critical discourse of contemporary representational art.
Build the Best MFA Application
If you want to apply to a competitive MFA program but aren’t sure you’re ready – either to submit your best portfolio or to make a multi-year commitment – our CFA is the perfect way to get you there.
A 12-month program of intensive study with the same instructors who teach our MFA classes, combined with dedicated studio time to develop your voice and fill out your portfolio, will get you the best application possible to any MFA program.
Study at the Center of the Art World
Spend a year refining your craft in the heart of the global art world. Yes, the core of the program is artistic growth and study, but it comes alongside access to one of the most compelling art markets in the world. It’s not just that New York is a global hub for artists, galleries, museums, agents, dealers, and collectors. The Academy is located in Tribeca, the epicenter of art in New York. All those artists, galleries, museums, agents, dealers, and collectors? They’re a three-minute walk away.
A Visa-Qualifying Year for International Students
Our CFA is all about opening doors. To a new discipline, a new career, or a new country.
For international students, the CFA program is a great way to try out art school abroad with a lower time and financial commitment than an MFA. Spend a year in a new environment, focused on improving your craft in a community of artists, with the flexibility to either continue your studies for two more years or pursue a new challenge with a year of training under your belt.
Practicing Artists Need a Pause, Too
Maybe you’re a self-taught artist curious about what a dose of formal training could do for your work. Maybe you want to try a new medium in a setting that offers guidance and support for your experiment. Maybe you’ve exhausted your current options and want to zero in on a new studio practice. The CFA program isn’t just for beginners.
A year of study, practice, and instruction can be an invaluable tool for a veteran artist to breathe new life into their work. Whether you need a shakeup or to block out the noise, the CFA offers a transformative experience for any artist.
Certificate of Fine Arts Core Outcomes
By the end of your year with us, you’ll acquire or refine the following tools:
- Working knowledge of anatomy
- Understanding of composition strategies
- Ability to conceptualize the human figure
- Ability to depict the human figure
- Ability to depict the figure in space structurally
- Fundamental knowledge of traditional techniques
- Understanding the history of visual art techniques
- Understanding of art history
- Ability to engage in critical discourse
- Understanding the nature of figurative art in history
- Creativity and independent thinking
- Written and oral communication skills
- Independent research skills
- Professional Practice training
More than that, you will develop a strong body of work for further graduate admissions and lay the foundation for their career as a practicing studio artist. Completion of the Certificate Program does not guarantee admission into the Master of Fine Arts Program at the New York Academy of Art and credits attained while in the Certificate Program do not apply towards an MFA degree at the Academy.
Certificate of Fine Arts Alumni
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- Anna Park
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- Michael Weiss
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- Ruth Whaley
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- Zeynep Tekiner
Further Information
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CFA Tuition & Estimated Cost of Attendance
| 2024-2025 CFA TUITION & FEES* |
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| Annual Tuition | $44,642.00 |
| Mandatory Fees** | $1,200.00 |
| Total Tuition and Fees | $45,842.00 |
* Please note that tuition and fees are subject to change and annual increases.
* Fees include commencement, exhibition, materials, model, registration, studio and technology.
Estimated Living Expenses
| 2024-2025 |
FALL | SPRING | SUMMER | ANNUAL TOTAL |
| Housing* | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 | $30,000.00 |
| Utilities | $800.00 | $800.00 | $800.00 | $2,400.00 |
| Food/Clothing | $3,333.33 | $3,333.33 | $3,333.33 | $10,000.00 |
| Health Insurance | $1,800.00 | $1,800.00 | $1,800.00 | $5,400.00 |
| Art Supplies/Materials | $1,666.67 | $1,666.67 | $1,666.67 | $5,000.00 |
| Transportation | $528.00 | $528.00 | $528.00 | $1,584.00 |
| Total | $18,128.00 | $18,128.00 | $18,128.00 | $54,384.00 |
*Housing is based on the rental fee of $2,500 per month. Please note that rent prices in NYC vary by neighborhood and other factors.
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Certificate of Fine Arts Application Instructions
Before You Apply
Those seeking entry to the CFA program are required to submit an admissions application as outlined below. Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent. For more details on degree equivalency, please see the Academy’s FAQs below or contact the Admissions Office admissions@nyaa.edu.
Applications are assessed by the Academy’s Admissions Committee through a multi-step review process. Portfolios are first evaluated in a blind review using the following qualitative measures: technical skill, formal awareness and conceptual development. The portfolios are evaluated again in conjunction with the candidate’s personal statement, letters of recommendation, official transcripts and other supporting documents.
Admissions Committee members use the rubric below that aligns with Thesis evaluation in assessing applications for both review cycles described above.
| Percentage | Criteria | Description |
| 30% | Technical Skill | The ability to render the illusion of form in two and three dimensions and to have access to the history of technical sophistication. |
| 30% | Formal Knowledge | The ability to combine technical skill, design, composition and narrative content into a cohesive visual statement. |
| 30% | Conceptual Awareness | An awareness of the critical underpinnings of contemporary and historical art and an ability to deploy them in a visual medium. |
| 10% | Life Drawings | Level and quality of observational rendering skill. |
Grade Scale
| 4.0 | A | Work of the highest quality |
| 3.7 | A- | Work of high quality |
| 3.3 | B+ | Very good work, better than average ability |
| 3.0 | B | Good work, satisfying course requirements |
| 2.7 | B- | Below average work |
| 2.0 | C | Well below average work, lowest passing grade |
| 0.0 | F | Failure |
2024 Application Deadlines
| CFA Early Consideration Deadline: | March 20 |
| CFA Early Consideration Notification: | April 15 |
| CFA Early Consideration Deposit Due: | May 1 |
| CFA Regular Decision Deadline: | May 20 |
| CFA Regular Decision Notification: | June 5 |
| CFA Regular Decision Deposit Due: | June 25 |
The Academy is accepting applications to the CFA program beginning August 28th. Our admissions process is highly selective, and applicants are encouraged to apply early for inclusion in the incoming class. While this is the case, we understand that later applying candidates may be outstanding additions to our CFA cohort. Applicant submissions and reviews continue through the spring and summer. Please reach out to admissions@nyaa.edu and jjuarbe@nyaa.edu if you are interested in applying for fall admission.
Application Fee
Those seeking admission to the Academy’s CFA program must complete an online application. The application is FREE. Please see the list of instructions below.
Application Instructions
Applicants must register for a free account to complete the following online. Click here to begin your application. Submit the following application materials through the online portal:
Application Form
Portfolio
Please submit no more than 20 images total consisting of:
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- Five (5) life drawings of the figure from observation in a traditional drawing medium such as charcoal, graphite, ink, etc. Please note that works in painting or sculpture mediums such as acrylic, oil and clay will not fulfill this requirement.
- Fifteen (15) additional images of self-directed work in any medium.
- You may submit up to two views of a single piece (one view per image). Please note the limit of 20 images total still applies.
Image files must be in .jpg format no more than 2500 pixels on the longest side.
The portfolio should represent your strongest work, indicate your major interest and direction, and demonstrate your technical skill and ability. All work should be from within the last three years. For those with unique circumstances wishing to submit images outside the three-year range, please contact admissions@nyaa.edu.
After uploading the portfolio, click on each image to add title, year, medium, dimensions and sequence order for viewing.
Personal Statement
A one-page statement of educational objectives and career goals indicating why you believe these will be advanced by study at the Academy. Applicants are encouraged to discuss work in the portfolio, an understanding of the Academy’s unique mission and indicate how study at the institution will progress individual artistic development and aspirations.
Artist CV or Resume
Submission of a CV or resume enhances the MFA application by giving more insight into a candidate’s creative experience. Please include educational background, professional experience, awards, residencies, exhibitions, etc. For more details on developing a CV or resume, please visit the College Art Association’s resource page.
References
Letters of recommendation from academic professionals are strongly recommended. After creating your application account, go to the references tab and enter the name and contact information for each individual providing a recommendation. Your references will automatically receive an email with submission instructions. Please contact your references to ensure timely submission of your recommendation by the application deadline. If you have any questions, please email admissions@nyaa.edu.
Transcripts
Certified official transcripts conveying an applicant’s academic history and proof of eligibility are required. Transcripts must be emailed or mailed from your previous school to the Academy to be considered official. If you have attended more than one post-secondary institution, a transcript is required from each one.
The Academy accepts electronic transcripts! Please contact your previous institution(s) to have your e-transcript sent to admissions@nyaa.edu.
As many institutions do not issue e-transcripts, we also accept hardcopy. Please request transcripts be mailed from your previous institution to:
New York Academy of Art
ATTN: ADMISSIONS
111 Franklin Street
New York, NY 10013
International Students
International Students MUST submit certified true copies of academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended in the original language issued. If not English, applicants must submit an official evaluation from World Educational Services. www.wes.org
Bachelors Equivalent
For those applicants without a formal undergraduate degree, please contact the Admissions Office for more information on submitting proof of eligibility admissions@nyaa.edu
Evidence of English Proficiency International Students Only
Those whose first language is not English must also demonstrate evidence of English proficiency by supplying a TOEFL or IELTS score. For more information on English proficiency requirements, please visit our International Students page.
Applying for Transfer of Credits
Applicants seeking to transfer credits should first review the Academy’s policy. The transfer of credit application form must be emailed to the Admissions Office admissions@nyaa.edu and submitted by the filing deadlines listed above. Please include the program to which you are applying in the body of the email. For questions regarding the application or policy, please contact the Registrar registrar@nyaa.edu.
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CFA Scholarships
Applicants to the CFA program demonstrating merit are eligible to apply for scholarship awards. Academy Merit Scholarships for CFA students range from $1,000 – $18,000. Applicants must complete the admissions application by the filing deadline to be considered for Academy scholarships. Award amounts are distributed in the form of tuition remission. In its distribution of scholarships, the Academy does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin or physical handicap.
New York Academy of Art scholarships are highly competitive. Please take the time to submit application materials that represent your accomplishments. If you have additional questions, please email admissions@nyaa.edu.