Discover UArts
Jumpstart your career in the arts.
There is no more meaningful work than creating community, sculpting society, and making your mark.
Did you know that the arts and culture sector contributes more than $800 billion to the U.S. economy, and creativity is now one of the most desirable skills for organizations of all kinds? That means you can make a living doing what you love!
About UArts
University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, prepares innovative, visionary artists for success in any field. In their careers, creative professionals work closely with those in other disciplines and fields every day. They learn to integrate their talent and passion into their work and our world, collaborating, creating, producing and performing with other inventive thinkers working in different media.
Because professional collaboration is the foundation of creative careers, UArts makes it possible for you to work across traditional boundaries, making you a stronger, more flexible and skilled artist who leaves school understanding not only how to make good art, but also how to build community, tell stories, effect change, solve problems, perform, lead, design, communicate and much, much more.
Areas of Study
For more than 145 years, UArts has inspired, challenged and supported generations of groundbreaking artists, performers, designers and creative leaders. At UArts, students graduate as agile and professional artists, poised for the holistic creativity the world now demands.
You’ll come to UArts with a passion. Your major will determine your area of focus for the next four years—what you study deeply, the skills you refine and the artistic risks you take under the guidance of expert faculty and visiting artists.
You know how you have that favorite class in high school, like art or writing? Imagine that great feeling of being curious, engaged and excited happening every day, all day long, while being surrounded by students, faculty and staff who are as enthusiastic about the arts as you are.
Find Your Program
Animation
Art (Interdisciplinary)
Art Education (BFA & MAT)
Creative Writing
Dance
Expanded Drawing & Print Media
Film
Film & Animation
Film Design
Fine Arts
Game Art
Graphic Design
Illustration
Interaction Design
Music - Composition
Music - Instrumental Performance
Music - Vocal Performance
Music Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology
Music Education (BM & MAT)
Painting
Photography
Product Design
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Theater - Acting
Theater - Directing, Playwriting & Production
Theater - Musical Theater
Theater Design & Technology
The following minors are open to all students.
Advertising Practices
Animation
Art History
Business
Creative Arts Therapy
Creative Writing
Figurative Illustration
Film
Film & Media Studies
Game Art
Graphic Design
Music
Music Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology
Music Technology
Painting
Photography
Print Media
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Songwriting
Open to Related Majors.
Art Education*
Music Education*
Musical Theater
*Students who complete the Art Education or Music Education minor may also be eligible to complete the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in just one additional year. Learn more about how you can complete a bachelor’s degree, education minor and your master’s degree in only five years.
Apply Now
Life at UArts
Outside the classroom and studio, your time at UArts will be defined by the community you become a part of as soon as you arrive. For many students, that starts with campus clubs—everything from gaming to peer education to social justice and advocacy work. Build and deepen your relationships through enriching, fun activities, whether that’s taking on a new creative pursuit like producing an art zine or joining an identity- based association like the African Diaspora Collective, That Queer Club, the Korean Association and others.
Attend a film screening, or take the stage at an open mic night. Join the cast of a murder mystery, dance at a glow party, run for student government, celebrate holidays, watch movies, eat late-night snacks, share your artisan goods at an on-campus art market and much more.
Student Experience
From campus events to urban adventures students experience UArts’ close knit community and Philadelphia's vibrant cultural scene.
Activities & Organizations
Being involved in campus life is a great way to enhance friendships, make new connections, and build a community on campus.
Life in Philly
Philadelphia is one of the most vibrant cities in the U.S.—and UArts resides at its cultural heart. With its booming arts and culture economy, Center City is home to theaters, galleries, performance venues, dance and theater companies, creative agencies, boutiques, and much more.
Philadelphia & UArts
Discover an education where culture and classwork are intrinsically linked.
Student Work
You’ll learn a lot (and we mean A LOT) at UArts: You’ll sharpen your self-expression. You’ll explore new methods and use new tools and find new friends, culture and the adventure that lies in living in Philadelphia. You’ll find a new home in our community of creators.
But whether you’re a performer or a visual artist or a writer or a filmmaker or a designer, the most important thing you’ll do is create and explore and experiment, find the media you love, and make your art—no matter the medium—in our dozens of studios.
Check out some of the recent work by UArts Unicorns.
Connect with UArts
No matter where you are in life, there is a place for you at UArts. Whether you’re just beginning high school or looking to transfer to a new institution, connect with us to get to know our creative community.
See UArts for yourself
Whether you’re ready to submit an application or just starting to learn about UArts, connect with us. UArts offers a range of ways to visit, from campus tours and virtual visits, to sessions with UArts faculty and representatives.
Connect with Admissions
Our Admissions Counselors will help you start your journey at UArts.
Not sure where to start?
We're glad you're here. We'll gladly send you materials to learn more about UArts.
Applying & Financial Aid
Join our vibrant, vital community of unconventional thinkers, doers and dreamers.
UArts operates on a rolling admission basis, which means we receive and process applications throughout the year as space remains available in each program.
Apply Now
Submit your application today!
Portfolio & Audition Information
When you apply to University of the Arts, you must audition, submit a portfolio or complete an interview depending on the area of study.
Tuition, Financial Aid & Scholarships
All UArts students are considered for scholarships at the time of admission. No special application is required.
Contact Admissions
Questions? The Admissions team is here to answer any questions you might have about the application process, our programs or life at UArts.
Email: admissions@uarts.edu
Phone: 800-616-ARTS
Advancing Creative Space
Recently, University of the Arts has opened new spaces and launched programs that create future-facing opportunities for students to gain new and emerging skills and bring new techniques and perspectives to their practices.
Center for Immersive Media (CIM)
The largest regional facility of its kind, the Center for Immersive Media (CIM) features studio and classroom space dedicated to the fields of virtual and mixed reality, performance motion-capture, and human-computer interaction. Student artists across disciplines can learn how to apply their talent to today’s technology.
Laurie Wagman Recording Studios
Musicians will find everything they need in the state-of-the-art Laurie Wagman Recording Studios, which are dedicated to exploring all facets of music production including composition, sound design, digital and analog recording, mixing, and mastering.
Philadelphia Art Alliance at UArts
Housed in one of the first multidisciplinary art spaces in the U.S.—is a historic building reconfigured for tomorrow’s artists, with exhibition and learning spaces that encourage collaboration, experimentation and imaginative expression.
Lightbox Film Center
Philadelphia’s premier exhibitor of cutting-edge and avant-garde film and moving image art, is housed at UArts. Lightbox screenings are free for UArts students.
Take classes for no extra cost at Thomas Jefferson University
A Philadelphia-based institution that focuses on creativity, the sciences and liberal arts. Through our partnership with Jefferson, students can explore how, where and why art, science and the human experience intersect.
Follow UArts!
Instagram: @universityofthearts
TikTok: @uarts
Facebook: facebook.com/uarts
Vimeo: vimeo.com/uartsphilly
YouTube: youtube.com/uartsphilly