The mission of the Yale School of Art is to provide students with intellectually informed, hands-on instruction in the practice of an array of visual arts media within the context of a liberal arts university. As a part of the first institution of higher learning to successfully integrate a studio-based education into such a broad pedagogical framework, the Yale School of Art has a long and distinguished history of training artists of the highest caliber. A full-time faculty of working artists in conjunction with a diverse cross-section of accomplished visiting artists collaborate to design a program and foster an environment where the unique talents and perspectives of individual students can emerge and flourish.
The School of Art is founded on the belief that art is a fundamental force in national and international culture, and that one of the primary standards by which societies are judged is the quality, creative freedom, critical insight, and formal and technical innovation of the visual art they produce. The Yale School of Art teaches at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and consequently the student body consists of those whose primary or exclusive focus is art as well as those for whom art is an essential part of a varied course of inquiry. The school currently offers degrees and undergraduate majors in the areas of graphic design, painting/printmaking, photography, and sculpture.
Land Acknowledgement
The Yale School of Art and Yale University acknowledge that indigenous peoples and nations, including Mohegan (mow-hee-gn), Mashantucket Pequot (mash-an-tuck-et-pee-kwot), Eastern Pequot (east-ern pee-kwot), Schaghticoke (skat-ih-kohk), Golden Hill Paugussett (gold-en hill po-gaw-sett), Niantic (ni-han-tic), and the Quinnipiac (kwihn-ih-pee-ac), and other Algonquian (al-gon-kwihn) speaking peoples, have stewarded through generations the lands and waterways of what is now the state of Connecticut.
We honor and respect the enduring relationship that exists between the peoples and nations and this land.
Community Values
The Yale School of Art is committed to fostering a thoughtful, rigorous, and supportive learning environment. These values were developed with input from across the community and reflect our shared goals for how we work, learn, and grow together.
Meaningful Connections
- We recognize and value everyone’s contribution, creating a space where people feel acknowledged and respected.
- We aim to build relationships through open dialogue, learning each other’s names and stories.
- Our environment is guided by transparency, empathy, and active listening.
Open Communication
- We communicate with respect, encouragement, and honesty.
- We share knowledge and ideas freely through both formal and informal exchanges.
- We engage across multiple channels, asking thoughtful questions, using humor when appropriate, and supporting one another’s voice.
Commitment to Learning
- We are open to new perspectives and ideas that broaden our understanding and strengthen our work.
- We approach each experience as a chance to learn and grow, both individually and collectively.
- We recognize that growth is ongoing, and each person develops at their own pace.
Active Participation
- We show up fully prepared, engaged, and supportive of one another’s efforts.
- We respect each other’s time and boundaries, contributing positively to the life of the institution.
- We participate with curiosity and take initiative when opportunities arise.
Thoughtful Engagement
- We foster an environment where people can speak freely, share ideas, and feel supported.
- We consider the different needs of our peers and work to make interactions thoughtful and inclusive.
- We strive for openness, thoughtful dialogue, and constructive feedback.
Mutual Respect
- We practice mutual respect, knowing when to lead and when to listen.
- We are mindful of our own capacities and those of others, encouraging self-awareness and personal care.
- We show appreciation for others and take responsibility for how we express ourselves.
Practical Accessibility
- We support clear, direct processes that enable effective participation.
- We aim to minimize unnecessary barriers and promote understanding.
- We encourage flexibility and fairness in how opportunities and resources are shared.