Yes! GCA is authorized to accept students on an M-1 non-immigrant student visa. Click here to learn more about the I-20 application.

Students should be sure that they are interested in the aesthetic framework of the school and the instructor.

Working from photographs is not permitted or taught in our classes and workshops.

It is expected that the student will pursue their studies using the methods and materials that the teacher recommends. Materials lists will be sent over the summer.

Students will learn the comparative method of drawing, not sight size method.

This approach to drawing and painting requires patience and is a long-term commitment. It could take months or years before noticing progress. There’s no magic bullet.

We expect self-motivated directed students who understand that artistic development/growth comes through dedicated and consistent practice. The instructor offers guidance and methodology through demo’s and critiques but it’s the student’s hard work that will lead to growth.

For continuing students entering their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year, merit-based scholarships balanced with financial need may be awarded.  These scholarships begin at $1,000 and have the potential to increase each year. Scholarships are applied towards the next year’s tuition. Categories:  first and second place, in Block in (figure), Cast Drawing, Cast Painting, Figure Structure Drawing, Group of Figure Works, Figure Structure Painting, Sculpture and General Excellence.

Students may be awarded prizes in more than one category. Amounts & categories vary.

Monthly prix/purchase prize of $500 is awarded to the best figure structure drawing in Colleen Barry’s Figure Structure class. The drawing remains part of GCA’s collection.

Because GCA is not an accredited program, students are not eligible for federal student loans.

Not at this time.

GCA does not provide accommodation to students. Our office can recommend resources to seek out accommodations in the area. Information about short-term housing and about the area where GCA is located is available on the Visit page.

GCA offers limited work study availability. Jobs are announced to students on the internal Google group. Work study opportunities are available to US Citizens or permanent residents, who are green card holders. M-1 International students are not eligible to work in the US.

Most of our studios use natural light except for some designated core studios for cast painting and still life.

Core students will have access to designated, individual storage areas but space is limited and work should be brought home when completed. The storage can not accommodate more than a single semester’s worth of work.

There are no lockers. It is imperative that students label their materials and place them in the assigned shared racks and/or cubbies for drawing boards or canvas/panels.

• Clean brushes and sculpture tools only in the slop sink.
• Dispose paper towels with turps in red safety cans. If the can is full, alert the class monitor immediately.
• Use only odorless mineral spirits kept in small mouth jars that remain covered as often as possible. Dirty or spent mineral spirits should be disposed of in the large, red safe disposal containers in each studio.
• Sharpen your pencils into a trash can.
• Turn off & unplug all heaters when finished.
• Don’t leave canvases or drawing boards on the floor in the communal spaces.
• Pick up after yourself before leaving.

• Students draw numbers to determine the order of picking easel positions.
• Rotating class monitors set the pose. Instructors assist in the Drawing Year.
• Monitors empty turps waste paper cans before and after class.
• Students may not change studios for different models. Stay in your assigned studio.
• Class monitors who set the pose have to know how to do the following:
• Set a pose with a lot of good angles
• Have to understand/find out what the model is capable of physically.

Students are required to follow the fire safety guidelines posted in the studio.

Students must read and follow GCA’s community Code of Conduct.

Core students have access to spaces but do need approval from the office to use shared studio space outside of class.

Placeholder Guest policy: Students must keep a tighter, smaller community for health and safety reasons. No guest models or artists must be invited to the studio, before checking with the office first.

Students are expected to observe strict closing times.

GCA is not responsible for any lost or stolen materials. Please do not leave any valuables unattended. Keep your wallet and any electronics with you at all times. While we foster a respectful studio environment, there is a lot of traffic in and about the studios. Reminder to clearly label all of your materials and kindly not borrow anything from anyone else without asking even if it seems to be untouched for some time. Alert the office.

GCA does not have a parking lot. Street parking nearby is free, but can be unpredictable. Current students and faculty have reported finding a street parking spot usually takes just a couple of minutes.