The New York Studio School's atelier-based curriculum operates in terms of a group teaching model. As part of our structure, students work from life, from compositional drawings and from their imaginations. Ultimately, the ateliers are set up to hone the students' artistic interests and working strategies through informed exercises and practices.

The day is divided into morning and afternoon sessions of drawing, painting and sculpture. Morning sessions last from 9 am to 1 pm, and afternoon sessions from 2 pm to 6 pm. Students work in ateliers (group studios) under the aegis of one, two or three faculty members and commit themselves to an artistic discipline which begins with direct observation.

Critique during the Drawing Marathon

Drawing. The activity of drawing has a special importance at the School. It is expected that whatever direction a student may wish to follow, he or she will take part in this essential experience so that he or she may gain the particular consciousness, the visual literacy, the insistence on clarity that drawing can promote. Drawing from the model at the School has no trace of the academic but reflects the contemporary awareness of the artist who teaches. The essential shared premise is that drawing is an indispensable stimulus to seeing.

Painting Class

Painting Ateliers. Five spacious studios with large skylights are designated for painting ateliers. Each atelier reflects the aesthetic bias of the faculty member or members. Materials seminars are held regularly by a painting technician, who is available to assist students. Students are encouraged to continue work in the ateliers and private studios in the evenings and weekends. The School is open every day until midnight for this purpose.

Working in the clay atelier

Sculpture Ateliers. The School has a large skylit clay studio, a welding room and areas for plaster, stone, and wood. Sculptors work from observation in the clay atelier where models pose every morning and afternoon. Instruction in metal work, modeled clay sketches, reliefs and life-size figures are all part of the program for sculptors. Open studio space is available for students to pursue work in other media. Visiting artists come regularly to talk about their work and give critiques.

Art History. The School offers all students a unique art history program. Two weekly lunchtime talks on issues in art and art history are held in addition to the public Evening Lecture series. Students enrolled in the M.F.A. program are also enrolled in a Critical Studies seminar each semester. Scheduled museum visits with faculty members complement this program.