Academy of Art University President Elisa Stephens on Art Education and No-Barriers Policy

Elisa Stephens, president of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, discusses the institution's founding in 1929 by her grandfather during the Great Depression, its evolution into a leading art and design school, and its partnerships with NASA, Nike, Adobe, Audi, and Stellantis. The university offers over 100 creative disciplines across 22 schools, including fine arts, motion pictures, game development, and UX/UI design. Stephens emphasizes the school's 'no-barriers' admission policy, which accepts students without prerequisites or prior portfolios, fostering diversity: students from over 100 countries and all US states, with half over age 24. Faculty are industry professionals who provide real-world insights and networking. The curriculum combines foundational skills with cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing, VR, and generative AI. Stephens criticizes other US art schools for requiring portfolios and lacking fundamental training. The university holds annual exhibitions, awards, lectures, internships, and sports programs. Each school has an advisory board of professionals that meets twice yearly to review curricula and student work.