The Yale School of Art is a graduate school that confers Master of Fine Arts Degrees in Graphic Design, Painting/Printmaking, Photography, and Sculpture

Artists and designers of unusual promise and strong motivation are provided an educational context in which they can explore the potential of their own talents in the midst of an intense critical dialogue. This dialogue is generated by their peers, by distinguished visitors, and by a faculty comprised of professional artists of acknowledged accomplishment.

Current Ownership

Dr. Kymberly N. Pinder is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Dean of the Yale School of Art, a role she assumed in July 2021. An accomplished art historian and curator, she specializes in race, representation, and public art. A Yale alumna, she earned her Ph.D. in Art History there in 1995. Dr. Pinder has held prominent academic positions, including Acting President at MassArt and Dean at the University of New Mexico. She is also the author of Painting the Gospel and editor of Race-ing Art History. As the first woman of color to lead the School of Art, she brings a strong focus on community, inclusion, and social justice in the arts.

Our Schools History

The Yale School of Art was founded in 1869 by Augustus Russell Street, a Yale alumnus and philanthropist who envisioned an institution that would elevate the role of art in higher education. Street donated funds to establish the School of the Fine Arts, making it the first art school affiliated with an American university. Early on, the school emphasized classical training in drawing, painting, and sculpture, and it quickly became a leader in art education. Over time, the program expanded to include graphic design, photography, and interdisciplinary practices, evolving into the prestigious Yale School of Art known today.

Some Notable Names in our History

The Yale School of Art has produced some of the most iconic figures in contemporary art. Notable alumni include Kehinde Wiley, painter of President Obama’s official portrait; Maya Lin, designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and conceptual artist Jenny Holzer. Influential faculty have included Josef Albers, a key figure in modern color theory, and photographer Walker Evans. Their groundbreaking work has helped make Yale a leading force in the global art world.