On June 2, 1875, a group of art students had the radical idea to create their own school—one designed for and run by independent artists. These students founded the Art Students League of New York—an atelier-style institution where anyone can learn traditional fine art technique.
To honor our anniversary, the League will be hosting a series of events that celebrate our legacy and highlight our impact on New York City arts and culture, past and present.
Throughout our anniversary year, the League will partner with local museums, galleries, and cultural institutions in a Salute to the League that celebrates artists who have contributed to our shared history. These celebrations will culminate on the League’s Founders Day, a holiday which commemorates the independent spirit and creative spark that inspired our school’s founding. This year’s Founders Day weekend is packed with exciting ways to celebrate and learn more about the League—including our 150th Anniversary Exhibition, the Dream Ball, a special anniversary Homecoming, and an Open House.
It is important that we use this opportunity to reflect on the League’s history. To do so, we’ve commissioned 150 Stories, an educational and commemorative book of essays focused on significant milestones from League history, written by leading historians, curators, and scholars. Through Bloomberg Connects, we’ll be showing how League artists have formed the fabric of New York City with a guided tour of 150 public artworks by League artists.
A major, two-part exhibition covering the history of the League and rooted in the League’s role in defining and redefining “American” art from the late 19th century to today.
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A special, anniversary edition of our annual party for students, members, art lovers, and partygoers, inspired by the League’s famous midcentury bacchanals.
Students, members, instructors, and alumni will be reuniting at the League to create new memories.
Painting, drawing, sculpting, printmaking, assembling—on Open House Sunday the League will offer free classes and events for the public.
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Our official anniversary, and the first official day of our summer session of classes.
Our gala supports the great artists of tomorrow while celebrating artists who have shape our legacy today.
150 essays by leading scholars and critics on 150 topics related to the history of the Art Students League and the role the League has played in lives of its great alumni. Stay tuned to for more information!
Visit 150 New York City public artworks by League artists in our curated map. We’ll be hosting open sketch events at some of the most exciting entries—from Louise Nevelson Plaza, to Rockefeller Center, to the top of Central Park. This map will launch later this year, online and on Bloomberg Connects.
We are celebrating League artists and their incomparable impact on American art by partnering with museums, galleries, foundations, and other institutions. Featured partners include New York Historical, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Hollis Taggert Gallery, Petzel Gallery, and more to be announced.
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