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For more than 140 years, University of the Arts has been constantly evolving, devoted to the art and science of creativity for a better world.

Advancing Human Creativity

Through a community-led, strategic planning process we have defined our shared priorities and a vision for the future of UArts. Learn more about our core values, mission and 2019-2022 strategic plan.

Mission & Values

President David Yager joined University of the Arts in January 2016 as the institution’s fourth president since it gained university status in 1987. An accomplished visual artist, photographer and designer, he also has an extensive background as an academic, a researcher utilizing design to improve the healthcare space, an entrepreneur and a business executive.

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Presidential Search

After six years of service, University of the Arts’ President and CEO David Yager announced his plans to retire on June 30, 2023. As the university begins the search for its sixth president, we are committed to an open and collaborative process. Throughout our search, we will gather and incorporate significant input from the entire university community to support the successful identification and recruitment of UArts’ next leader.

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Uniquely UArts: the Campaign for Creative Capital

Uniquely UArts: The Campaign for Creative Capital was launched in 2018 with an initial goal of $50 million to strengthen UArts’ mission to advance human creativity, with a focus on supporting four critical initiatives: enhancing the student experience, investing in faculty, re-envisioning campus and developing innovative programming.

University of the Arts is a uniquely exciting place. Since its founding, we have been at the forefront of educating generations of innovative artists, designers and creative leaders. The Uniquely UArts: Campaign for Creative Capital was launched in 2018 with an initial goal of $50 million to strengthen UArts’ mission to advance human creativity, with a focus on supporting four critical initiatives: enhancing the student experience, investing in faculty, re-envisioning campus and developing innovative programming.

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President's Fund for Excellence

The President’s Fund for Excellence fund supports extraordinary faculty and student project opportunities that would otherwise not be financially possible. It is funded entirely by the generous support of our donors and can support travel, research, publication, and other creative projects that foster excellence and innovation.

The President’s Fund for Excellence was established by President David Yager in 2016. The fund was inspired by the Arts Dean’s Fund for Excellence at the University of California, Santa Cruz, which President Yager created in 2011 while serving in that role.

The fund supports extraordinary faculty and student project opportunities that would otherwise not be financially possible. The President’s Fund for Excellence is entirely funded by the generous support of our donors and can support travel, research, publication, and other creative projects that foster excellence and innovation.

View Project Eligibility and How to Apply

President Yager Addresses Violence in Buffalo

My heart breaks for the people in Buffalo, and the people killed by a white supremacist and terrorist in the middle of a routine errand: going to the grocery store. I am also struck by the painful impact of gun violence and those individuals killed this weekend, in places such as Milwaukee, Los Angeles and here at home in Philadelphia.

President Yager Announces the Inspiration Lab Artist-in-Residence Program

The Inspiration Lab Artist-in-Residence program at UArts will gather artists from our community and around the world as they seek to catalyze their burgeoning careers. These residencies will offer artists the foundation needed to reflect, experiment and produce compelling new work at a pivotal moment in their lives. Moreover, I expect these artists to bring a wide range of disciplines and innovative ideas to our campus and contribute to contemporary knowledge production within the arts.

President Yager Provides and Update on UArts COVID Policies for Visitors and Events

As we approach the end of the academic year and events such as Commencement and senior thesis exhibitions and performances, University of the Arts is amending several of our COVID-19 policies for visitors and indoor events and gatherings. Effective Friday, April 1, visitors to our campus will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination. Additionally, the capacity limits for special events, performances or other productions taking place in our many indoor spaces will be lifted.

President Yager Announces Grants for Creative Research & Innovation Recipients

Earlier this winter, I announced the Grants for Creative Research & Innovation, aimed at supporting the creative lives of UArts’ faculty and staff. Today, I am pleased to announce that our committee has selected 11 innovative projects to receive support in our inaugural round of grants.

President Yager Provides an Update on Masking for the Spring Semester

Despite the repeal of the citywide mandate, high-quality masks that fit tight to your face and cover your nose and mouth will remain mandatory in all indoor campus spaces until at least the end of the spring semester. The only exceptions, shared with you via email on Jan. 6, are outlined in our Community Health Policy and remain unaltered.

President Yager Welcomes the University Community Back to Campus

I hope that you all enjoyed a well-deserved, restorative winter break and that you are looking forward to returning to our creative campus for the start of the spring semester next week. I write to you today to thank you again for the profound optimism, resilience and flexibility you have demonstrated throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic. It cannot be overstated how much your enduring spirit has buoyed our university throughout one of the most challenging times in our long and storied history.

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