Frequently Asked Questions

 General

  • PAFA is not in a position to adequately meet the needs of today’s college students. In the past year, many other small institutions have either merged or closed their degree-granting programs entirely due to the systemic challenges of declining enrollment, the changing higher education landscape and rising costs. Unfortunately, PAFA’s Leadership Team and Board of Trustees have reluctantly accepted the reality that it is no longer financially or operationally feasible for PAFA to continue offering BFA and MFA degrees.

  • PAFA created a Long-term Sustainability (LTS) committee that carried out a comprehensive review of the institution and its programming in a post-pandemic environment. Their charge was to develop a plan for PAFA’s future. The LTS, together with the Leadership Team, determined that the degree programs were not sustainable. As a result, the LTS and Leadership Team conducted extensive outreach to potential higher education partners with whom PAFA could collaborate to continue granting degrees. Unfortunately, those efforts were unsuccessful, leaving no alternative to winding down our BFA and MFA programs.

  • The final decision was made by the Board on Jan. 9, 2024, and we shared that decision as soon as possible. There are a number of reasons we could not provide information any earlier–chief among them our exploration of alternatives to winding down these programs and our determination to identify academic partners who could support our students to complete their degrees. We also committed to confidentiality with potential partners as we explored every possible option.

  • Academic instruction for BFA and MFA programs will continue as scheduled through the Spring 2024 semester with all students able to complete the courses for which they’ve registered. In May 2024, PAFA will graduate the Class of 2024 BFA and MFA students. Low-Res MFA students will graduate in August 2024.

    Juniors on track to graduate in Spring 2025 will have the opportunity to remain at PAFA to complete their degrees and graduate in May 2025. Low-Res MFA students will have the opportunity to graduate in August 2025.

    First- and second-year students will receive personalized support from PAFA Student Services staff to transfer to one of five partner institutions where they can continue their education with minimal disruption (or to other institutions should they so choose).

  • Seniors who do not meet graduation requirements for May 2024 should contact Student Services to consider the next steps toward completing their degrees. Juniors who may not meet graduation requirements for May 2025 should work with Student Services to create a personalized transfer plan that will meet their academic needs.

  • PAFA will continue to confer degrees through the 2024-2025 academic year. During the Spring ’24 semester, PAFA Student Services staff will support first- and second-year students by creating personalized transfer plans to one of five partner institutions where they may continue their education with minimal disruption (or to other institutions should they so choose). Following PAFA’s final commencement ceremony in 2025, PAFA will refocus on its core mission of community-based arts education. To that end, PAFA will continue to offer certificate and continuing education programs, professional development, and K-12 learning opportunities.

  • No, this program will continue as normal.

Students

  • The educational outcomes of our students are of the upmost importance, which is why PAFA has worked privately with five partner institutions that will offer these 37 students a comparable arts education experience with minimal disruption or added costs. PAFA currently has partnership agreements in place with:

    • Moore College of Art & Design

    • Arcadia University

    • Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture

    • Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

    More information about these institutions can be found here. The agreements are subject to regulatory and accreditation approval.

  • PAFA has partnered with five schools best suited to serve our students with completing their required coursework and earning their degrees. All five partner institutions have agreed to accept PAFA students, transfer their earned credits (subject, in some cases, to review by the transferee institution), and allow them to graduate on the same expected timeline.

  • Each of the partner institutions has agreed to waive transfer application fees for PAFA students seeking to enroll as part of the teach-out process.

  • Tuition varies at the partner institutions. PAFA Student Services staff will work individually with students to determine the best options based on their earned credit hours, course of study, and financial circumstances. You can find more information about the partner schools here.

  • PAFA Student Services staff will work individually with students to determine if and how their financial aid and scholarships may be applied at other schools.

    PAFA scholarships will not transfer to other institutions, as they are unique to PAFA. If you are considering transferring, please review that institution’s financial aid website.

    Financial staff will be on site on Jan. 10, 11 and 12 to work with students who have questions regarding financial aid, including the steps to transfer FASFA information to another institution.

    Transferring FASFA information to another institution is the critical first step before a financial aid package can be established.

  • While we can’t predict what any student’s experience will be at another institution, partner schools were selected based on the similarities in mission and the academic offerings they share with PAFA.

  • Students who choose to transfer prior to the Spring ’24 semester will be released from housing agreements. Student housing will not be offered at PAFA beyond May 2024. Student Services staff will assist PAFA students with finding alternative housing options in the Philadelphia area.

  • Academic instruction will continue as planned through Spring ’24 with all students able to complete the courses for which they have registered. To accommodate students on track to graduate in Spring 2025, some instruction will continue through the next academic year, allowing the Class of 2025 to complete their required coursework for graduation.

  • Students who choose not to complete the Spring ‘24 semester at PAFA must withdraw by Feb. 2, 2024, in order to receive refunds for tuition, housing and fees.

  • Under federal law, some students may be eligible for discharge of federal student loans when an institution closes its programs. Loan discharge is the removal of your obligation to repay your loan under certain circumstances. For more information, see https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school#criteria.

  • The Spring ’24 semester will continue as planned. During this semester, every student will have an opportunity to work with Student Services staff to evaluate their best options going forward. We have developed partnership agreements with five comparable, local arts colleges that are best suited to serve our students as they complete their required coursework and earn their degrees. Some partner schools may be willing to expedite the transfer process for Spring ’24. Please contact Student Services promptly if you’re interested in that option.

  • Students graduating in Spring 2025 will be the final class of PAFA alumni. Transfer students will earn degrees from the school they choose to attend. However, all students who attended PAFA remain highly valued members of our community and will always be welcome. We encourage all former students to visit the museum and continue their development as part of their lifelong arts journey.

  • The Registrar and PDSO will meet individually with international students to determine options for maintaining visa status.

  • Although we cannot guarantee that all professors will remain at PAFA through Spring ‘25, we are confident that our dedicated faculty will proceed with courses as planned for the benefit of our students. That said, employment decisions are personal, and we respect the rights of our professors to choose what is best for them and their families.

  • Extracurricular activities will continue through Spring ’24. There may be modifications to the Annual Student Exhibition, Spring Prizes and Travel Prizes.

  • PAFA will continue to maintain student records, reissue copies of diplomas, and provide transcripts. Students may request their academic records at registrar@pafa.edu.

  • The PAFA Alumni Association helps keep PAFA students connected after graduation. Students who transfer are welcome to remain engaged with the PAFA Alumni Association. Contact the organization’s leaders here using the PAFA Alumni Contact form.

 Faculty & Staff

  • We expect about 85% of our full-time faculty will support our students to graduate in 2024 and 2025 as well as continue to teach art in other PAFA programs. There also will be some staff who no longer will have roles after June 2024.

  • PAFA’s President and Dean will make those decisions based primarily on the requirements of the continuing education, professional development, and certificate programs, which will be our focus beyond Spring 2024.

  • For those faculty and staff affected, their positions will end June 1, 2024.

  • PAFA is grateful for the talent and dedication of our exceptional faculty and staff. We will provide services to impacted employees to ensure that their physical, mental, and emotional well-being are taken into consideration during this difficult time. The following critical support and resources will be available:

    Outplacement

    PAFA will have outplacement services available to assist affected employees with career transition and coaching.

    Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Services

    Both in-person and virtual workshops and services will be available throughout the Spring 2024 semester, through Unum EAP, so employees can access mental health services, financial counseling, and career counseling to help them navigate layoffs.

    Retirement Seminars

    Both in-person and virtual retirement seminars are available for employees who are contemplating retirement at the end of the academic year. They will receive an overview of benefits and services available to them upon retirement and steps to follow to help make a smooth transition from active employment to retirement.

    Severance

    In general, full time and part time employees alike, will be offered separation packages in keeping with the employee handbook. For more information, contact Carissa Patts, Director of Human Resources, Office of Institutional Safety and Equity at (215) 972-2020 or cpatts@pafa.edu.

    List of AICAD contacts

    A list of human resources (HR) leaders from AICAD (Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design) can be provided to impacted employees as they apply and transition to new roles, helping them to make the most of the opportunities that arise. PAFA will circulate resumes of affected employees who choose to participate within AICAD.

    Resume Outreach

    PAFA will circulate the resumes of impacted employees to surrounding Philadelphia area colleges. Impacted employees will need to give human resources permission to circulate their resumes/CVs. Contact Carissa Patts, Director of Human Resources, Office of Institutional Safety and Equity at (215) 972-2020 or cpatts@pafa.edu.

  • These benefits vary among employees and are private in nature. Please arrange an appointment with Carissa Patts, Director of Human Resources, Office of Institutional Safety and Equity at (215) 972-2020 or cpatts@pafa.edu to discuss concerns specific to your benefits including:

    ● Vacation and sick time

    ● Medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage

    ● Life insurance, Short- and Long-term disability

    ● Flexible spending accounts

    ● Retirement plans

Alumni

  • PAFA graduates are highly respected and valued for their innovation, creativity, and ability to think critically about the societal challenges we face today. PAFA’s 7,000 alumni in the United States and abroad continue to build on the legacy started by those studying and creating art at PAFA more than two centuries ago.

  • We encourage alumni to stay connected with one another and with PAFA, while also building relationships in the wider Philadelphia arts community and beyond. PAFA will continue to welcome alumni to the museum and studio spaces for arts education and networking opportunities. Contact the Alumni Association here.

  • Yes, PAFA is a community of artists and art lovers committed to creating, promoting, appreciating, and protecting American Art. PAFA will continue to be a home for lifelong learning and the celebration of art and art makers.

  • PAFA alumni can contact Jane Allsopp at jallsopp@pafa.org with questions. If you haven’t already, you may create an alumni profile here to receive communications.

Donors & Fellows

  • While we appreciate such generosity, the decision to close our degree-granting programs is in response to challenging trends in higher education that increased funding will not fully address. This transition is extremely difficult for many, but it is the first step toward preparing PAFA for success long into the future.

  • Gifts that are restricted to supporting college scholarships have been identified and donors are being contacted to determine next steps. Many gifts are earmarked for arts education more generally and will continue to be used to support continuing education, certificate programs, and K-12 programs among other arts education programming.

PAFA Moving Forward

  • We do not anticipate that the wind down of the degree programs will have any negative effect on the museum. In fact, this change will allow PAFA to focus on and expand our historic role as the first museum of contemporary American Art in the world.

  • We are aware that many people will be disappointed by the decision to wind down degree-granting programs at PAFA. However, making that difficult decision allows us to return to the core mission that built PAFA’s distinguished reputation over the past 200 years–community-based, arts education.

  • PAFA will continue to maintain the museum and its extraordinary art collection. We are steadfast in our commitment to preserving and promoting American art and sharing it with our community of artists and with art lovers everywhere.

  • Ending the degree-granting programs helps PAFA’s overall financial health as College-related revenues were frequently lower than College-related operating costs. Additionally, this change will allow the Board and Leadership to focus efforts on expanding our historic role as the first and one of the most prestigious museums of contemporary American Art in the world.

  • The higher education landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade, creating educational, financial, operational, and management challenges that are difficult, if not impossible, for small institutions to overcome. Increased revenue will not adequately address the long-term challenges that are part of maintaining fine arts degree-granting programs in today’s higher education landscape. Additionally, PAFA may only use funds generated by the sale of art to purchase other art or support maintenance of the collection. As a result, the Board and Leadership Team determined that the best path forward was to wind down the BFA and MFA programs to better focus on other aspects of the PAFA mission.

  • While PAFA is well known, in part, for its BFA and MFA programs, the institute has been an accredited degree-granting institution for little more than a decade of its 218-year history. PAFA’s unique legacy, its unrivalled collection, and its deep ties to Philadelphia will ensure continued strong support for the museum and PAFA’s lifelong learning programs.

  • PAFA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion will not change as a result of this transition. As articulated in the Belonging Report–PAFA’s 2019 comprehensive review of DEI issues–PAFA strives to ensure that every person within PAFA’s community, whether they are faculty, staff, student or stakeholder, feels that PAFA is an equitable and inclusive environment where all are free to engage, be authentic, and respected.

Still have questions? Use the form below to contact PAFA.