Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to Close College by 2025
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), the oldest art school and museum in the US, has announced its decision to close its college by the end of the 2024-25 academic year. The closure will only affect the degree-granting programs, while the museum, certificate programs, K-12 arts programs, and continuing education will remain in place. PAFA President Eric Pryor cited rising costs, expanding requirements, and dwindling enrollment as reasons for the decision.
Closure of PAFA's College Programs
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts has announced that it will be closing its college programs by the end of the 2024-25 academic year. This decision will only impact the degree-granting programs offered by the institution.
In a letter published online, PAFA President Eric Pryor explained that rising costs, expanding requirements, and a decline in enrollment were the driving factors behind this decision. However, he emphasized that the closure will not affect the museum, certificate programs, K-12 arts programs, and continuing education that PAFA offers.
Pryor reassured current students that juniors, seniors, and Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) students on track to graduate in 2024 or 2025 will still be able to complete their degrees. The closure will only affect the bachelor of fine arts (BFA) and MFA programs.
Transition Plan for Students
PAFA's leadership has developed a transition plan for the affected students. They have entered personalized transfer agreements with several local schools to facilitate the transfer process for first-year and sophomore students.
The personalized transfer agreements have been established with the University of the Arts, Temple University's Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Moore College of Art & Design, Arcadia University, and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. These agreements aim to minimize disruption for the students and provide them with alternative educational opportunities.
With the closure of the college programs, PAFA aims to refocus on its core mission of arts education and its commitment to American Art. The institution, which was founded in 1805 by a group of artists and business leaders, sees this as an opportunity to return to its roots and strengthen its community of artists and art-lovers.
Continued Commitment to Arts Education
PAFA's President, Eric Pryor, expressed the institution's commitment to arts education despite the closure of the college programs. In his letter, Pryor emphasized that PAFA will continue to pursue its arts education mission and uphold its 218-year history as a community of artists and art-lovers.
He stated, "In many ways, the decision to end these degree-granting programs presents PAFA with an opportunity to return to our roots — arts education for the lifecycle of the artist. PAFA, at its heart, is a community of artists and art-lovers, and we will not waiver from our commitment to American Art, its creation, appreciation, and stewardship."
While the closure of the college programs marks a significant change for PAFA, the institution remains dedicated to fostering artistic talent and promoting the importance of art in society.
