National Academy closing on August 6, 2017

I was a bit shocked to get this email yesterday. I guess it's time to move on, but I hope that the National Academy will find a new home soon.

May 4, 2017

Dear National Academy Faculty and Students,

It was great to see many of you at this afternoon’s special meeting in the Assembly Hall. For those who were unable to attend, we wanted to share an important update regarding the school’s upcoming hiatus in preparation for the relocation of the National Academy.

As you know, in order to re-envision the Academy’s future and create a strong, sustainable financial base, including the first-ever permanent endowment in our 192-year-old history, the museum and school facilities were put on the market over a year ago. The Museum temporarily closed to the public on June 1, 2016, to prepare for the pending sale and relocation.

Since then, we have worked diligently to be able to continue classes at the school, but must now prepare to move out of the buildings this coming fall. We had hoped that a real estate deal would allow us to remain in the properties for at least 18 months after closing, but this has proven to not be possible, and the National Academy Board of Governors elected yesterday to temporarily suspend classes beginning August 6 in order to allow us time to prepare for the transition to our future home. We are sharing this news as soon as possible to give you, the students, faculty, and administration as much time as possible to resituate in advance of the fall term.

If you are a full-time and/or F1 visa student, we would like to help you transfer to another program and continue your studies uninterrupted. School Administrative Director, Mary Fisher, can provide you with information on how to apply to another local art school. The Art Students League, the New York Studio School, and the MFA Studio Art Program at Montclair State University in particular are all eager to welcome you into their programs.

As to future plans, the staff, Board, and our members, the National Academicians, continue to search for opportunities to reactivate the school during the hiatus, as well as identify the Academy’s next location while we assess and re-imagine the educational and museum offerings in this new home. These strategies are part of the Academy’s long-term plan as we enter our third century. We will fully resume activities once a new location has been identified, and very much look forward to sharing news with you as soon as we are able.

We are all so appreciative of the talented and dedicated school staff, faculty, and students, and thank you for your understanding and support as we plan our institution’s bright new future.

Sincerely yours,

Tim Walch, Board Co-Chair, National Academy
Walter Chatham, Board Co-Chair, National Academy
Bruce Fowle, President, National Academy

UPDATE:

Here's a comment from Tom Griffin, Director of Admissions at the Digital Film Academy:

Hello Francisco,
aside from the schools listed above, our school has also been of interest especially for international students at the National Academy Museum & School. We hope the National Academy will find a new location quickly and seamlessly. In the meantime, any students interested to take their studies in a more digital media / filmmaking direction are very welcome to reach out to us to arrange a visit.

Tom Griffin, B.B.S.
Director of Admissions
Digital Film Academy
630 Ninth Avenue
New York NY 10036
Tel: 2123334013
www.DigitalFilmAcademy.edu