San Francisco Art Institute Reviews

"I would not recommend applying to SFAI at the moment it does not offer much in terms of support for an artist future and or present. it languish in the past honours but has done little to nothing to usher in any radical thought . It has no career services . i appreciated this institution in the past but where it is today is a grave disillusion on possible. but to spend close to 65,000 a year here is not worth it.... It does not have up to date resources. and little equipment to use and experiment with . it is having the same problems that closed it. Now as it struggles to stay open it wants to pack all available spaces with grad students just to try and make cost.... if you are applying to an art school make sure they have the right resources for you. BUT No i would not recommend attending this institution in the state it is in. but yes it does have a nice view!!"

"Beautiful campus and very help professors. Had every resource a painter could need or want to practice their craft. I found the courses, my studio and my time there very valuable. Cost of tuition is an issue for all students without parents funding their every move. SFAI is a private Art School and it costs the same as you would imagine a private fine art school costing in CA."

"The San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) provided me with four years of compelling and thought-provoking classes, passionate and supportive professors, and an intimate and personal community environment. While definitely not for everyone, SFAI's interdisciplinary fine art perspective helped me define my artistic practice both technically and conceptually. I recommend this school to those who are open to a non-traditional educational experience and are independent enough to guide their artistic journey in the direction of their choice."

"SFAI is a Great school with long-standing traditions. Technical facilities as well the main campus need to be updated. The tuition cost is very expensive. This school for those who want to develop more of a conceptual way of thinking rather than to gain a knowledge of tools and technics. Concept VS Craft."

"it is a fun place to go to, but kind of mediocre art wise..."

"Sfai Is a fun place. It is a small artists community that has students from all around the world attend to. The main campus is beautiful and located near the marina district in San Francisco. There is a school's gallery in both campuses (grad and undergrad) that both students and artists show in. you can apply for shows several times a year and add it to your resume once you got in. The grad studios is located in the developing dog patch area across town and are in a large warehouse facility. Studio sizes are pretty good sized, and there is a wood shop both in the main campus and at the dog patch studio. The faculty is usually helpful and friendly, you can go and chat during office hours. I find this school to be only on the average side because of the following: - The wood shop in the grad studios is lacking, basic things are missing which makes it hard to be able to create art. -too many things are forbidden to use at the studios. (such as plaster, or spray paint) - little to no help in the main campus wood shop by assistants, you basically have to beg to get a basic question answered, and always get the feeling you are bothering them. - School provides nothing and charges for everything. example: in grad studios they don't provide as little as screws, the students are expected to have their own. On the other hand for final graduate exhibition, you'de have to pay an extra 300$ for exhibiting, but got to get your own projectors and eveything else you need for presentation etc. The school doesn't provide any of the necessary things for that, but still charges you. - The security level in the studios is low to non-existing, at least once a month a students car gets broken into. Note that they are moving to a new facility soon. - bottom line is that it is a school for the privileged, you see a lot of people coming for a strong soci-economic background, which is not a bad thing, but the academic level as well as the ideas and agendas being depicted in the art are very mediocre and boring at best. - if you really want to go to a stimulating art environment that puts art as a top priority, better go to a different school. If you want a fun place where you get drunk a lot in a gorgeous city go to sfai. :)"

"SFAI is a great school for anyone pursuing a career in visual arts and/or community building."

"Great school. 24-hr access, what more can I can ask for."

"I feel it's too over rated and the Audio Program is barley getting it's foot out the door but does not provide any locked in career after upon graduating. Not much recognition as oppose to Culinary and Video Game Arts."

"I like the liberal atmosphere of the Art Institute. No matter from which culture you are or what field are you interested in, the faculty would support you any way. And they have the ability to guidance you. I also like the amount of theoretical and practical courses students should pass. The school has enough emphasize on theoretical knowledge of the students while it is important that each student has at least one practical project pair semester. The problem is I really think the school is too expensive compare to the facilities it has. And there not that much financial aid ether for US citizen students or international students."