The Art Students League of New York

"Big Box" old school, in a poorly maintained facility. More below, but first, two of the better art schools include 1. NY School of the Arts - recently opened. The space is lovely, student work is outstanding, and work environment is friendly; 2. NY Studio School - Exceptional classes, and their marathons are dynamic. Back to "the League": They rarely enforce basic health standards. The place infested with mice, and the air quality is bad in some of the work areas. Silica dust floats around the sculpting area. People sand their clay sculptures without mask protection, never being told that Silica is an industrial health hazard. Students scrape and heavily sand acrylic paint in crowded classrooms, without wearing respirators. (Acrylic paint is loaded with toxic chemicals. So everyone in the area breaths carcinogenic dust.) Students file metals like copper, and rusted metal in small, under-ventilated classrooms, wearing no respirator. Students use industrial sanders and wood grinders in a room with no door and half walls. Wood dust clouds drift into the locker areas, and adjacent classrooms. (Wood dust is carcinogenic). Heavy sanding and cutting of particle board is permitted in the classrooms. Particle board contains formaldehyde, ammonia and other carcinogens. Most students are in the dark that they are harming themselves and people around them. And the poor mice as well.
2 7 years ago (02-03-2018)

Some excellent teachers, ample facility, good art supply store right in the building, nice mix of students at different levels from beginner to professional, affordable classes. Welcoming casual-yet-intense creative vibe. Really loved it.
5 7 years ago (08-06-2018)

I'm from Sydney and am returning home after a holiday in New York. I had such an enriching time doing a selection of printmaking and drawing classes. Most importantly, Art Students League feels very professional as well as welcoming. Thanks so much Liz
5 7 years ago (25-04-2018)

People who gave five stars to this over rated rat hole are sniffing magic fairy dust mixed with crack cocaine. It's a rare and special rotten dump and I hate the place. It's not an art school it's a hetero phobic, clickish club house full of old crooked rich weirdos, ugly creepy gay guys, potential child molesters, runaway nutcase women and others with serious emotional and mental problems. It's very expensive to attend and they actually don't teach you how to do anything but run out the front door. The fossilized students are just as whacked out as the loser zero no talent instructors and the crazy homeless models they employ. The instructors are political hires because they knew someone on the board. If I knew back then what I know now I would have never become a member or even walked in the front door of this dump. A big gigantic waste of time. Also the board members and president(s) who are volunteers run for office and have managed to stay in they're positions for twenty years or more because they all have they're fat little fingers in the $89 million dollar piggy bank which no one is accountable for the massive thefts. The place is rotten to the core from top to bottom, inside, out. This is an industrialized level of whacko's with absolutely No talent, bad art all in one building.
1 7 years ago (13-04-2018)

I don't know what I'd do without the ASL! I discovered my passion for sculpture and have been helped to grow as an artist here. This place offers a very special community which is welcoming and supportive.
5 7 years ago (23-02-2018)