'American Academy of Art Downtown Chicago,IL

The American Academy of Art has been educating professional artists in both the commercial and fine art fields since 1923. Beginning with a solid foundation of drawing and design, based on the classical academic tradition, our dedicated and distinguished faculty is committed to providing our students with artistic skills and knowledge of contemporary tools and techniques that will enable them to build a successful career.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees offered:

 3D Modeling and Animation Life drawing Multimedia/Web Design Oil Painting Design Watercolor Painting Illustration 

Masters of Fine Arts Degrees offered:

 Digital Media and Design Painting and Drawing 

When Frank Young Sr. founded the American Academy of Art in 1923, he was an internationally recognized authority in advertising design. He believed the Academy should “provide the best instructors, attract the best students, and neglect nothing that will help them to build successful careers.” The same goals and traditions hold true today. His son Frank Young Jr. managed the Academy from 1964 until 1970, when Clinton E. Frank, founder of Clinton E. Frank Inc. Advertising, took over as chief executive. Mr. Frank’s agency was widely known for its exceptional creative departments.

Richard H. Otto, our current president, assumed the role of owner and president in 1992. During his tenure, he has established the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree program and the Master of Fine Arts Degree. He has maintained the Academy’s tradition of excellence while developing new programs and initiatives to ensure the continuing quality of education for future generations.

Graduates include (in no specific order) [[Irving Shapiro: Haddon Sundblom; Thomas Blackshear; Gil Elvgren; Joyce Ballantyne Brand; John Tobias; Bill Reinhold; Alex Ross; Jill Thompson; Mitch O'Connell; Lorraine & Rob McLees(Halo 2;Bungie)]] Haddon Hubert Sunny Sundblom (June 22, 1899 - 1976) was a United States artist who created the modern image of Santa Claus in 1931 while working for Coca Cola. ... A pin-up illustration by Gil Elvgren Gil Elvgren (1914-February 29, 1980) born as Gilette Elvgren was an American painter of pin-up girls, advertising and illustration. ... Joyce Ballantyne (born 1918) is a painter of pin-up art. ... John Tobias was one of the creators (along with Ed Boon) of the groundbreaking Mortal Kombat fighting game series for Chicago-based Midway. ... Rosss rendition of the Justice League Nelson Alexander Alex Ross (born January 22, 1970) is an American comic book painter, acclaimed for the photorealism of his work. ... Jill Thompson (1966 - ) is a comic book writer and illustrator. ...