At Boston University School of Visual Arts (SVA), we nurture the creative potential of every student through a balance of rigorous training and open exploration. We emphasize collaboration and dialogue alongside the focus of the studio and the freedom of choices offered by the larger university. Through our ethos, curriculum, and program offerings, SVA engages students in highly experiential learning, building expertise and experimentation through critique, process, and concept.
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Admissions & Portfolio Reviews
Ready to apply to a graduate or undergraduate program at BU School of Visual Arts? We can't wait to get to know you.
The SVA Experience
Resources for Students
The School of Visual Arts offers academic, extra-curricular, and career support for undergraduate and graduate students at all phases of their time at the College of Fine Arts. Find advising help, access equipment, and explore resources offered to all Boston University students.
SVA Stories
Read more BU School of Visual Arts students, faculty, and alumni making art and making change in the world
School of Visual Arts MFA Thesis Exhibitions Open
Five graduating master’s students talk about their work
CFA Names 2026 Recipients of the Esther B. and Albert S. Kahn Awards
The annual BU College of Fine Arts event honors students’ artistic excellence, with awards helping to boost their careers after graduation
BU Wheelock Forum Explores AI in Education
The event, attended by approximately 250 people—including educators, administrators, and scholars—featured CFA professors James Grady and Clay Hopper
Boston University School of Visual Arts Unveils 2026 MFA Thesis Exhibitions Celebrating Emerging Artists
The 2026 MFA Thesis season showcases the works of graduating students in BU’s Graphic Design, Painting, Sculpture, Print Media & Photography, and Visual Narrative graduate programs
A Room with A View
Painter and teacher Richard Raiselis has made his career by seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary
Beyond the Classroom: Joy Jiang (CFA’26)
MA Art Education graduate student Joy Jiang (CFA’26) has been instrumental in creating FenMake, a new residence makerspace at BU Fenway Campus, for BU students to prototype, problem-solve, and create
New 808 Gallery Exhibition Showcases Faculty, Alumni Artwork
First shown at the 2024 Venice Biennale, Hidden in the Layers, the monthlong exhibition, celebrates BU-affiliated printmakers and photographers
Creatives in Practice: Mary Y. Yang
The Assistant Professor of Art, Graphic Design at BU is the co-founder of Radical Characters, an educational and curatorial platform that explores graphic design, typography, and culture through Chinese characters
Why BU School of Visual Arts?
Guided by world-class artists and educators emphasizing skill-building and the ability to think creatively, you will hone your eye, hand, and mind at SVA.
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BU Art Galleries
School of Visual Arts MFA Thesis Exhibitions Open
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CFA Faculty
A Room with A View
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Research
Creatives in Practice: Mary Y. Yang
Visual Arts Events
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