About Academy of Art University

Founded in San Francisco in 1929 to teach advertising art, the Academy now offers more than 120 accredited degree options spanning 70 areas of study. We are a professional school—a practical, hands-on art and design school where you learn by doing.

Our courses are practice-based and industry-centered, which means students learn the skills they’ll actually use in their future profession. Whether students choose to study online, on campus (onsite), or a hybrid of both, they’ll gain the job-ready skills and experiences that will help them enter their profession in full stride.

About Spring Show

Our goal at Academy of Art University is student and alumni success. Academic success when they’re here. And professional success in their future careers.

One way we do this is by packing the Academy experience with career-prep opportunities—like Spring Show. Spring Show puts student work in front hiring managers from creative industries. Our graduates leave here with a wealth of knowledge, skill, and relevant experience that helps them adapt quickly and contribute right away to their profession.

We are proud to showcase the next generation of talented—and skilled—creative professionals. Their work is beautiful and smart. They have been trained in tradition, and in the fundamental rules of art and design. They’ve also learned how to break those rules, and have the skills to rebuild and elevate. We are honored to showcase their accomplishments—and we think you’ll be impressed by their work.

Virtual Interactive Edition

This website documents the culminating work of over 700 students. The prospect of exhibiting this work in person was diminished when our campus was required to close in mid-March. This online exhibition aims to showcase the ambition and interdisciplinary innovation of our students––as the next generation of artists, scholars, and citizens––to an expanded audience.