The SVA MFA Computer Arts Department invites applications for the fall 2025 academic year. Our fields of study include experimental art, motion design, and animation. The SVA MFA Computer Arts Department emphasizes creative experimentation and a multidisciplinary approach to making art with computers and emerging technologies. Through art, this STEM program is dedicated to producing digital artists of the highest caliber, and guides each student in the development of a personal artistic style in a course of study that is individually tailored to meet their needs. Whether they are interested in 2D/3D, VR/AR, interactive installations, experimental animation, or any other form of computer-based art, students come from around the world to study in this two-year, 60-credit MFA degree program, which has distinguished itself with nine Student Academy Awards.
Students
We have had students from 34 countries, sharing their unique cultural perspectives. Students come from various backgrounds in the arts, as well as diverse experience in architecture, computer simulation and design, computer science, industrial engineering, and more. Graduates are employed by prestigious studios, exhibit works in museums and galleries, teach at higher education institutions, and start their own businesses. Student films have been featured in hundreds of major international festivals and conferences including ACM SIGGRAPH, Ars Electronica, Taiwan International Animation Festival, Woodstock Film Festival, and ASIFA-East, and many more.
Faculty
Our faculty, guest lecturers, and advisors are established artists and industry professionals from A24, Volvox Labs, Artjail, and Nickelodeon. The goal is to ensure our students receive the most up-to-date and esteemed level of professional instruction.
Alumni
Our alumni network of over 1,300 founders, leaders, creators, and educators are employed worldwide, yet remain connected to their alma mater through mixers, online communities, and invitationals. Our alumni presence in the workforce offers recent graduates a competitive advantage in the job market. They are employed at major studios such as Apple, Nickelodeon, Buck, Hornet, Laika, HBO, Google, Aardman Nathan Love, Titmouse, and Pixar, and have exhibited their work at prestigious institutions such as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, MoMA/MoMA PS1, Whitney Museum of American Art, Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Digital Art Museum, Chelsea Art Museum, and Tate Online.
MFA Computer Arts Lab
The MFA Computer Arts facilities consist of state-of-the-art computer labs, classrooms, audio/video production suites, equipment library, lounge, and digital fabrication studios. Students have 24/7 access to 4K video editing, 3D printing, motion capture, virtual production and VR equipment to assist their creative progress.
Scholarship
We offer a limited number of partial, merit-based scholarships determined by the Admissions Committee. Applicants can apply for the MFACA Tri-State Scholarship which is designated for applicants who reside within 50 miles of NYC and within the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut). Every semester we issue several partial academic scholarships to students with outstanding work and academic achievements. We also offer several Lab Assistantships which reimburse up to half tuition per semester. In addition to these assistantships, we offer part-time jobs in the SVA MFA Computer Arts Library. SVA scholarship matching is available to full- and part-time domestic students upon submitting to FAFSA, as well as international students who can provide proof of scholarship to the MFA Computer Arts Department. SVA/MFA Computer Arts will match 25 percent of any external scholarship, up to 2,500 USD that a student obtains for enrollment at SVA. SVA is also a Yellow Ribbon Program for students who are veterans or who have a family member who is a veteran. For international students, the Fulbright Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for financial support abroad.
The application deadline for fall 2025 enrollment is January 15, 2025. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a tour, please contact us directly at mfaca [at] sva.edu or call T 212 592 2778. For additional information on the application progress, please see the list of links below.
Application requirements / Frequently asked questions / Tuition and fees / Financial aid.
School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers, and creative professionals for more than six decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, dynamic curriculum, and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprised of more than 6,000 students at its Manhattan campus and 35,000 alumni in 100 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. For information about the College’s 32 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, visit sva.edu.
