Atlanta has one of the most active arts scenes in the Southeast, and its art schools and programs reflect that energy. Whether you want a full bachelor’s degree, a weekend drawing class, or a serious portfolio program for animation or game design, there are options across the city.
This guide focuses on art schools in Atlanta, Georgia—what they offer, where they’re located, and how to choose the right fit if you live in Atlanta, are relocating here, or are considering coming here to study.
Atlanta’s art education options fall into a few main categories:
| Type of Program | Best For | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|
| Accredited art colleges / universities | Career-focused degrees (BFA, MFA, BA) | 2–4+ years |
| Community colleges / technical colleges | More affordable, foundational art & design | Certificates, 2-year degrees |
| Private art & design schools | Specialized creative careers (game art, VFX, etc.) | 1–4 years, intensive certificates |
| Community art centers & museums | Hobbyists, kids, working adults building skills | Short courses, workshops |
| Continuing education / extension | Adults reskilling or upskilling | Non-credit classes, flexible |
Understanding which type of program you need will make your Atlanta search much easier.
Location: 1600 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 (Midtown)
Focus: Comprehensive art and design university
SCAD is one of the best-known art schools in the region and has a major Atlanta campus right in Midtown, close to the city’s galleries, studios, and music venues.
Programs you’ll see in Atlanta include:
SCAD Atlanta is suited for students who want:
If you live in the metro area, SCAD can be intense and immersive, so it’s a strong option if you’re committed to building an art or design career.
Location: Primarily on the Downtown Atlanta campus
Common address for the arts buildings: 33 Gilmer St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Focus: Fine arts and design within a public university
Georgia State University (GSU) offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), BA, and graduate programs in art and design through the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design.
Common areas of study include:
GSU is a strong fit if you:
Because it’s a public institution, GSU can be a more budget-conscious option for Georgia residents compared to many private art schools.
Location: 201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA 30322 (Druid Hills)
Focus: Liberal arts with studio art and art history
Emory is not an art school in the specialized sense, but it does offer studio art and art history degrees within a broader liberal arts context.
Students interested in:
may find Emory a good fit, especially if they plan on academic, museum, or mixed creative careers rather than strictly commercial design.
If you’re looking for more affordable options or want to start with foundational coursework, Atlanta’s community and technical colleges offer solid art and design pathways.
Perimeter College, part of GSU, has campuses in areas that serve many Atlanta students (for example, Clarkston, Decatur, Dunwoody). While the main art and design programs are downtown, Perimeter often offers:
This can be a practical way to start your art education close to home and then transfer to a more specialized program downtown or elsewhere.
Location: 1630 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Focus: Two- and four-year degrees, including arts and humanities
Atlanta Metropolitan State College offers courses in visual arts, humanities, and media, which may include drawing, design fundamentals, and digital tools as part of broader degrees.
This school is helpful if you seek:
Location: 1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Focus: Technical and career programs, including some creative and media-related fields
While not a fine-arts college, Atlanta Technical College often has programs related to design, media, and communications technology that can complement creative skills, especially if you want practical, job-ready training with a visual component.
In addition to large universities, Atlanta has specialized art and design schools that focus heavily on career preparation in specific creative fields.
Historical location: 812 Lambert Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Focus: Creative portfolio school (advertising, design, content creation)
The Creative Circus was known for:
Because specialized schools sometimes reorganize or change offerings, it’s important to verify current operations and programs directly with the school before planning.
Across Atlanta, you’ll also find smaller private schools and studios that offer:
These are often located in neighborhoods like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, and Inman Park, where many creative studios and co-working spaces operate.
If you’re not ready for a full degree—or you’re an established professional looking to sharpen a skill—Atlanta’s art centers and museums can be ideal.
These aren’t “art schools” in the degree-granting sense, but they are central to arts education in the city.
Location: 535 Means St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 (West Midtown)
Atlanta Contemporary is a nonprofit arts center known for contemporary art exhibitions and artist programs. While its main focus is exhibiting and supporting artists, it occasionally offers:
This is a good destination if you want to learn about the current art scene in Atlanta and network with working artists.
The Atlanta College of Art once operated at the Woodruff Arts Center and is now part of the SCAD legacy in Atlanta. If you hear locals mention “ACA,” they’re usually referring to this history.
The area around the Woodruff Arts Center remains an educational hub:
All of these expose students and residents to a wide cultural environment that complements studio art study.
Location: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 (Midtown)
While not a degree-granting school, the High Museum offers:
If you live in Atlanta and want your kids to get exposure to art—or you want to build your own visual literacy alongside studio practice—a museum-based program can be a helpful complement to formal schooling.
Across Atlanta, especially in neighborhoods like:
you’ll find:
These are valuable if you:
Searching by neighborhood often helps, since many of these spaces are small and locally run.
When deciding among Atlanta’s art schools and programs, it helps to think through your goals, budget, and lifestyle.
Ask yourself:
Typical matches in Atlanta:
Costs can vary dramatically:
If you’re in Atlanta already, commuting instead of living on campus can also lower expenses.
Atlanta’s traffic is a real factor. Consider:
For many students, campuses in Midtown and Downtown are easier to reach via public transit. Schools in Southwest Atlanta may be more convenient if you live in that part of the metro.
For art and design, the quality of facilities matters:
Look for:
Touring the campus in person in Atlanta is one of the best ways to evaluate whether you’ll have what you need to create at a high level.
One major advantage of studying art in Atlanta is proximity to:
When comparing schools, ask:
This can make a major difference in how easily you transition from school into paid creative work.
If you’re still in high school (APS, DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, etc.) and want to prepare for art school:
Building a strong portfolio is often more important than grades for admission to dedicated art programs.
Many Atlanta residents decide later in life to:
Steps that often work well:
For families in Atlanta:
Early exposure to art can help kids build creativity, confidence, and basic skills that later support formal art school applications.
Here’s a simple way to move from “interested” to “taking real action” in Atlanta:
Define your path.
Decide whether you’re aiming for:
List 3–5 Atlanta programs that fit.
Include at least:
Visit in person.
Because Atlanta’s traffic and neighborhoods vary a lot, actually visiting campuses or studios helps you assess:
Ask targeted questions.
When you talk with admissions or program staff, focus on:
Connect with local artists.
Attend:
Hearing directly from working artists in Atlanta can clarify which schools are respected locally and which environments feel right for your goals.
If you’re serious about the arts, Atlanta offers a full spectrum—from prestigious art and design degrees in Midtown and Downtown to intimate neighborhood studios and community classes. By focusing on your goals, budget, and how you want to engage with the city’s creative community, you can find an art school in Atlanta, Georgia that truly fits how and where you want to create.
