The School of Visual Arts (SVA) in Manhattan has laid off approximately 30 people, according to Hyperallergic’s Maya Pontone. The for-profit art school said the decision was made due to “financial challenges”. The recently formed SVA staff union says that the layoffs have resulted in course cancellations and budgetary restrictions.
In an 5 August email to staff, SVA president David Rhodes announced the redundancies, writing: “Those affected have been notified, and we are providing support during this transition.” The email concluded: “We are deeply grateful for their contributions, and for your dedication and resilience as we weather these very challenging times in higher education.”
In correspondence with Hyperallergic, SVA’s faculty union said the layoffs took place across departments and positions, including library, undergraduate, graduate and support staff.
The layoffs arrive just months after 1,200 SVA instructors joined the United Auto Workers union, which represents faculty at Columbia University, New York University, and the Parsons School of Design.
In a statement to Hyperallergic, Justin Elm, an organiser for SVA Faculty United, clarified the challenges faced by his colleagues and their wide-ranging ramifications. “Faculty have been hit by significant course cancellations due to low enrollment and budget shortfalls,” he said. “Losing a class is not the same as being fired, but it represents a direct loss of wages, benefits and stability, with no guarantee of being able to teach the course again in the future.”
SVA’s financial pressures are also reflected in dwindling enrollment numbers—in 2024, student enrollment dropped significantly to 3,812 (from 4,016 the previous year).
Elm told Hyperallergic: “We are deeply disappointed that the administration has chosen to address financial challenges by laying off staff, cancelling classes and placing the burden squarely on its most valuable asset: its workers.” As the union navigates this spate of layoffs, it remains to be seen what lies in the future for the institution.
Founded in 1947 and originally known as the Cartoonists and Illustrators School, SVA has long held a tradition of employing New York City-based artists to its faculty positions.
