Continuing Education FAQs

I have signed up for an ACE class in the past, but I don’t remember my username or password on the registration site.

If you have forgotten your username (we recommend using your preferred email address) or password, the login section of the registration site provides Forgot Username and Forgot Password links to help you reset. If you have further problems, send an email to ace@sfai.edu, and we can retrieve either or both for you.

Can I sign a friend or family member up for a class using my account?

Yes, you can. While it is preferable that each adult student have and manage their own account, you are able to sign up a family member or friend. Under the My Account section of the registration website, click Add Account Member. You will have the option of selecting your family member or friend as the registrant for classes.

I am having trouble with the registration site. Can I register over the phone?

Of course.  Call  us at 415-749-4554.

I am not sure of my schedule but want to secure my spot in a class. What are your refund policies?

Visit our policies page for complete details on course refunds.

Does the tuition fee include materials?

It does not. Materials lists will be provided to students prior to the class start date.

Where do I find my materials list?

Materials lists will be posted on our website prior to the class starting.  Visit sfai.edu/courses and use the left-hand menu categories (i.e., “painting” or “sculpture”) to find your class materials list.

Will I have access to the studio outside of class time?

Unfortunately, most SFAI studios are only available to Adult Continuing Education students during class time. Studio classes are immersive and hands-on, providing students with ample time to complete their projects.  The Digital Imaging Studio [hyperlink: http://www.sfai.edu/digital-studios] is available by appointment, allowing students to expertly print digital files. The Friday Open Drawing studio offers students the opportunity to drop-in and work from a figure model.

I am not sure about a class, can I show up on the first class and then decide?

No. Auditing is not allowed in the ACE program. If you are unsure of a class, please contact our staff and we will be happy to put you in touch with the instructor to get you as much information as possible.

Where do classes take place and how do I get there?

All classes take place at 800 Chestnut Street, between Jones and Leavenworth. You will find directions by car or public transit to our campus online at http://www.sfai.edu/directions-campus.
The San Francisco Art Institute is located in a residential neighborhood, and two-hour parking is available on all of the streets immediately surrounding the school. The two-hour restriction cuts off at 9 pm, so evening ACE students do not need to worry about moving their car during class.

When will next semester’s classes be posted?

Course schedules are posted days before registration begins:

  • Spring registration begins December 1
  • Summer  registration begins April 1
  • Fall registration begins July 1

We will send you an email to notify you once registration is open. If you’re not on our emailing list, please send a message to ace@sfai.edu

Do you offer certificates?

We do not offer any certificates at this time. All of our ACE classes are non-credit. If you need proof of enrollment, we are happy to provide a letter stating that you were enrolled in a course(s). No official transcript is available.

I am interested in teaching an ACE course. What do I do?

We send out a call for instructors once a year. To receive the call, email a letter of interest to Barbara Garber, Director of Continuing Education, at bgarber@sfai.edu.

I am a teenager, can I take these classes?

The minimum age for enrollment for our ACE courses is 17-years-old.
We also offer two summer programs for teenagers: