Student Organizations & Programs

At PAFA, students create their own unique experience through a broad range of co-curricular activities, student-run organizations, student leadership and the vast opportunities around Philadelphia. 

It's easy to get involved, to pursue passions and learn.

Career Services Spring Semester Workshops

Chunk png

Student Events Calendar

Student activities are a great way to get connected on campus. PAFA offers a variety of events, including career services workshops, wellness events, social events, and more.

Winter Clothing Drive

Community Service

PAFA students support the broader Philadelphia community through work with renowned organizations like the Mural Arts Program, the food bank Philabundance, and PAFA's museum education department. Their projects have included clothing and food drives, event volunteering, and public school outreach.

OSN bronze pour

Open Studio Night

One of the most anticipated events on the school’s calendar, Open Studio Night, is the one time each year when PAFA's graduate and undergraduate students open their studios to the public to show and discuss their works in progress.

The event occurs at PAFA student studios —  where PAFA students develop and refine their paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, animations, and illustrations throughout the school year.

Open Studio Night gives visitors a rare look into the creative process of a new generation of emerging artists and a sense of how they develop their ideas. It also provides a sneak peek of works appearing in the Annual Student Exhibition (ASE), where more than 1,000 works by PAFA students are exhibited in the museum galleries. 

exhibition

Student Exhibitions

Students have exciting opportunities throughout their programs to exhibit artwork in PAFA's numerous gallery spaces. The world-class facilities and Student Services also provide opportunities to learn about all aspects of curating, mounting, and promoting exhibitions.

student leadership

Student Leadership

Student leadership positions empower students to develop their interests and positively engage with and develop a welcoming, inclusive community across campus. There are many ways to be a community leader at PAFA, including:

  • New Student Orientation Leaders
  • Resident Assistant in Stiles Hall
  • Floor Leaders
  • Student Advisory Council applications are due Friday, January 19 Apply

Graduate students also lead the community through the following:

  • Gallery 8, the eighth-floor student exhibition space
  • Graduate Assistantships
  • Graduate Student Association
  • Visiting Artist Program Coordinators
kay healy

Visiting Artists Program

This student-run program brings an outstanding roster of local, national, and international artists to PAFA each semester for lectures, critiques, and workshops. The program exposes students and the public to a range of artistic approaches and fosters discussion about contemporary art and ideas.