Eligibility & Requirements

Statement of Intent and C.V.
A Statement of Intent describes your reason for pursuing a Certificate of Completion with the Art Students League. You are encouraged to include information about yourself, your objectives, and your interests that may not be immediately apparent from a review of your portfolio and application. A Curriculum Vitae or résumé details your art-related activities and accomplishments. 

Artwork Portfolio
Online artwork submission of 10 jpeg images is required. It is advised that applicants select recent work relevant to their chosen area of concentration. Two optional submissions can be made for video or audio works.

Transcripts

• Minimum educational level completion: Secondary school diploma or equivalent. A post-secondary degree or diploma is not required.
• Applicants to the four-year Certificate Program must demonstrate a minimum of one academic year (two semesters, or equivalent) of previous fine arts study in studio classes for drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking or mixed media. 
• Applicants to the two-year Certificate Program must demonstrate a minimum of two academic school years (four semesters) of study from a post-secondary fine arts program.
• An Official Transcript is required to show your previous fine arts studies. A transcript from the Art Students League is acceptable. Transcripts from other institutions must be sent by mail to the Art Students League of New York, 215 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019, Attn: Thomas Tacik; or by electronic service to: tom@artstudentsleague.org.

Recommendations

Provide two (2) to three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with your development as an artist. Recommenders should email tom@artstudentsleague.org or send letters by mail to the Art Students League of New York, 215 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019, Attn: Thomas Tacik.

Application Fee
 A non-refundable application fee of $50 is due upon submission.

International Student Language Proficiency
 If you are an international student, a good working knowledge of English is required. TOEFL scores are not required. English proficiency is determined through teleconference or in-person meeting.

Other Program Fees in addition to tuition

• $300 Certificate Student per Semester (all certificate students)
• $300 International Student per Semester (F-1 students only)

(Note: Fees are subject to change without prior notice)

Applying to the Certificate Program 

Fall 2025 Application Deadlines:

• The Fall 2025 Semester begins September 2, 2025.
• Domestic 2-Year and 4-Year (non-F-1) Certificate Program candidates may submit the application by July 15, 2025.
• International students who must obtain the Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility and apply for the F-1 visa are advised to submit this application by May 15, 2025, to begin the program in Fall 2025.
• International students at other institutions who plan to transfer to the Art Students League or new students who will be applying for the F-1 visa should contact the International & Certificate Student Services office as soon as possible by email: tom@artstudentsleague.org
• The application for the Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility may be submitted concurrently with the Certificate Program application. Download the I-20 application here.

Certificate Program Advising

• All applicants are encouraged to make an appointment with the International & Certificate Student Services office to review entrance and enrollment requirements: https://calendly.com/asl-certificate-program/advising

Eligibility & Requirements

VA Certificate of Eligibility for education benefits. If you have not received your Certificate of Eligibility, you may apply for GI Bill Education Benefits through the Veterans Administration here.

Statement of Intent
A Statement of Intent describes your reason for pursuing a Certificate of Completion with the Art Students League. You are encouraged to include information about yourself, your objectives, and your interests that may not be immediately apparent from a review of your portfolio and application. A Curriculum Vitae or résumé details your art-related activities and accomplishments. 

Artwork Portfolio
Online artwork submission of 10 jpeg images is required. It is advised that applicants select recent work relevant to their chosen area of concentration. Two optional submissions can be made for video or audio works.

Transcripts

• Minimum educational level completion: Secondary school diploma or equivalent. A post-secondary degree or diploma is not required.
• Applicants to the four-year Certificate Program must demonstrate a minimum of one academic year (two semesters, or equivalent) of previous fine arts study in studio classes for drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking or mixed media. 
• An Official Transcript or equivalent is required to show your previous fine arts studies. A transcript from the Art Students League is acceptable. Transcripts from other institutions must be sent by mail to the Art Students League of New York, 215 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019, Attn: Thomas Tacik; or by electronic service to: tom@artstudentsleague.org.

Recommendations

Provide two (2) to three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with your development as an artist. Recommenders should email tom@artstudentsleague.org or send letters by mail to the Art Students League of New York, 215 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019, Attn: Thomas Tacik.

Other Program Fees in addition to tuition

• $300 Certificate Student Fee per semester (covered by GI Bill Education Benefits).

(Note: Fees are subject to change without prior notice)

Applying to the Certificate Program 

Spring 2025 Application Deadline: January 15, 2025

• The Spring 2025 Semester begins January 21, 2025.

Fall 2025 Application Deadlines:

Fall 2025 Application Deadline: August 15, 2025

• The Fall 2025 Semester begins September 2, 2025.

Certificate Program Advising

• All applicants are encouraged to make an appointment with the International & Certificate Student Services office to review entrance and enrollment requirements: https://calendly.com/asl-certificate-program/advising

Application Deadline: July 10, 2025

Submission Requirements: 

1) Artist Statement 

2) Resumé/CV of art-related activities 

3) Proposal for Public Sculpture (To be fabricated and installed in Riverside Park at 145th Street or Riverside Park South) 

4) Portfolio (Twenty (20) images of original artwork, proposal maquette, and ideation materials) 

Selection Criteria

I. Artistic Merit & Creativity

• Originality of concept and sense of aesthetic vision
• Quality of artwork and demonstrated artistic skill

II. Proposal Development & Feasibility

• Demonstrate a realistic grasp of how the proposal can be fabricated
• Demonstrate clear ideation from concept to maquette
• You are strongly advised to physically visit and study each WiP site (Riverside Park South at 61st Street and Riverside Park North at 145th Street) and demonstrate an understanding of your selected site and how it relates to your proposal.

III. Public Engagement

• Demonstrate an understanding of the installation site and how the project will resonate with the local community

Selection: August 8, 2025 

Program Start: September 2, 2025

Dates are subject to change.
    BEFORE COMPLETING THE APPLICATION, PLEASE REVIEW THE PROGRAM PROSPECTUS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. 

View our information session video to learn more about the application process.

For questions about the program or the application process, please contact Tom Tacik, Associate Director/PDSO, Certificate and Special Programs, by email: tom@artstudentsleague.org