COVID Vaccination Requirement for College Students

As we noted in April, the College is planning to be more fully on campus this fall and a return to near-normal capacities in Stiles Hall. We also want to be part of the solution to ending this pandemic, just as our campus has played a meaningful role in containing the virus’s spread. As a critical next step in ensuring the safety of the PAFA educational experience, the College announces today that the COVID-19 vaccine will be required for all students enrolled in on-campus classes, in PAFA studios, or using campus facilities for the 2021-2022 academic year.

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, all individuals above the age of 12 are now eligible to be vaccinated. Further information on how to secure a vaccine is available via the state’s website

●      All students returning to campus in the fall must be fully vaccinated by Monday, August 2, 2021.

●      It is important that students upload vaccine documentation thru the COVID-19 Vaccination Documentation Form after all necessary doses have been received. 

●      Medical and religious exemptions will be granted based on the specific circumstances of each request- see forms below. Students seeking an exemption should contact pafahealth@pobox.pafa.edu

We realize this announcement may prompt questions; please see the FAQ's below.

By vaccinating, we protect ourselves and those who are most vulnerable. A fully vaccinated student community means we can return safely to more of the activities that enhance our PAFA experience. The personal interactions between the members of our PAFA Community are routinely cited by students as the key to their academic success and college experience. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to a healthy and safe environment both on and beyond our campus.

Please reach out with any questions to (pafahealth@pobox.pafa.edu)

Last Updated
August 2, 2021 - 3:44 AM

About PAFA

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is the United States’ first school and museum of fine arts. A recipient of the National Medal of Arts, PAFA offers a world-class collection of American art, innovative exhibitions of historic and contemporary American art, and educational opportunities in the fine arts. The PAFA Museum aims to tell America's diverse story through art, expanding who has been included in the canon of art history through its collections, exhibitions, and public programs, while classes educate artists and appreciators with a deep understanding of traditions and the ability to challenge conventions. PAFA’s esteemed alumni include Mary Cassatt, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, William Glackens, Barkley L. Hendricks, Violet Oakley, Louis Kahn, David Lynch, and Henry Ossawa Tanner.