Ivy Institute of Art and Design is a well-respected and thriving Art Academy in New York. A group of educators, scholars and artists, rich in experience and passion, founded it in Massachusetts in 2007, and it was the biggest youth art education studio in the state. It was moved to Manhattan, New York, in 2015. Currently IIA+D has art studios in both the Upper West Side and Columbia University campus.

Co-founder: Dr. Jun Gao

Dr. Gao is an associate professor of the Art and Art Education Department at Columbia University. During this time, he has assumed several related social posts, such as becoming Commissioner of the review committee for art teachers within the Ministry of Education in New York, and the cooperative teaching artist of the Guggenheim Museum.

He graduated from Teachers College of Columbia University with a Doctorate in Art and Art Education. He also received a Master’s degree in Art from both Boston University and University for Creative Arts (UCA), and a Bachelor’s degree in Decorative Art from the Academy of Arts & Design of Tsinghua University. He has rich experience in art education and researching of over 20 years and is often invited to lecture at many famous American academic institutions.

His interdisciplinary artistic practice uses a variety of media to create a plethora of works, like drawings, sculpture, site-specific art with multi-media, experimental photography, video and so on. Additionally, Dr. Gao is one of the overlong exposure photographers, which is still an area that contains only four photographers of this kind in the world. His works are very popular and have been collected by many top universities, art institutions and collectors. Throughout the past 12 years, he has continued to conduct trainings on portfolios for students from top art colleges and IVY League Universities, which have introduced a unique feature of American art education.

Co-founder: Dr. Jessica W. Jiang

Dr. Jiang graduated from the University of Manchester, Alliance Manchester Business School with a Doctorate in Management Science, and a Master’s degree in Contemporary Art and Marketing at Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Due to her artistic inclinations, she has learned and explored art through various forms during her life in New York. During this time, she realized that the American art education system had great attraction and strengths in stimulating creativity, developing critical thinking, creating a positive study atmosphere for artists and other related aspects.

What’s more, an over 10 years’ work experience in asset management and investment consulting has also given her a keen eye for art investment and collection, which could be one of reasons why she has chosen art education and art investment and collection as her long-term business.

We work with many of the top universities and art schools in the United States helping our students to complete art courses in different art spaces. We provide both youths and adults with small group classes, private and online courses. Our programs involve many types of art, including fine art, design, and architecture, and all its various aspects. Furthermore, our unique portfolio course, which guides portfolio preparation, has already successfully helped our students gain acceptance to the top universities, art and design colleges throughout the US.