School of the Art Institute of Chicago

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private art school affiliated with the Art Institute of Chicago. Tracing its history nback to 1866, SAIC has been accredited since 1936 by the Higher Learning Commission and by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design since 1944. It has also been a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design since 1991 and is also accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has its roots in the Chicago Academy of Design, which local artists established in 1866 in rented rooms on Clark Street. It was financed by member and patron donations. Four years later, the school moved into its own building on Adams Street, which was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Because of the school's financial and managerial problems after this loss, business leaders in 1878 formed a board of trustees and founded the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. They expanded its mission beyond education and exhibitions to include collecting. In 1882, the academy was renamed the Art Institute of Chicago. The banker Charles L. Hutchinson served as its elected president until his death in 1924. The school grew to become among the "most influential" art schools in the United States.

Walter E. Massey served as president, from 2010 until July 2016. He was succeeded by Elissa Tenny, who formerly served as the school's provost. In 2024, Tenny was succeeded by Jiseon Lee Isbara, a fiber artist and academic administrator.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers a wide range of programs that focus on interdisciplinary study and artistic innovation. Students are encouraged to explore multiple fields, but several programs stand out for their popularity and strong reputations. The Studio Arts (BFA) program serves as a foundation for visual arts careers, covering mediums like painting, sculpture, drawing, and printmaking. 

The Animation, Film, Video, and New Media program combines traditional and digital techniques, offering a flexible structure that requires students to actively seek resources to shape their paths. Programs such as Art History, Theory, and Criticism prepare students for academic, curatorial, and critical roles, while Art Education and Art Therapy focus on using art for learning and healing.

Other notable offerings include the Arts Administration and Policy (MA), which trains students in leadership and advocacy within arts organisations. The Fashion, Body, and Garment program explores fashion as an art form, encouraging conceptual design. Designed Objects blends industrial design with artistic creativity to produce functional works. 

The Photography program combines technical skill with artistic vision, preparing students for fine art photography careers. Sculpture studies focus on three-dimensional forms using various materials, and Visual and Critical Studies engage students in analysing visual culture through theory and history. Together, these programs highlight SAIC’s commitment to fostering diverse artistic talents and preparing students for varied roles in the arts sector.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) does not offer a traditional MBA program. Instead, SAIC is recognised for its graduate programs in fine arts and design. According to U.S. News and World Report, SAIC's graduate fine arts program is ranked second in the United States, tied with Yale School of Art, and behind UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture .

In the QS World University Rankings for Art and Design, SAIC holds the ninth position globally, reflecting its strong academic reputation and research impact in the field of art and design. If you're interested in pursuing an MBA, you might consider the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, which offers a globally recognized MBA program. As of 2025, Booth's Global MBA program is ranked 17th globally by the Financial Times .

For the class of 2024, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago reports strong post-graduation employment outcomes including 80 percent of the Undergraduate Alumni (Class of 2024) employed, with an overall career outcomes rate of 93.9%. 
School of the Art Institute of Chicago. And, 85.6 percent of the graduate Alumni (Class of 2024) employed. These figures indicate that a significant majority of graduates secure employment or pursue further education shortly after completing their degrees. however, it's important to note that SAIC specializes in art and design education. While many graduates find success in creative industries, some may face challenges in securing positions in their desired fields. 

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