WELCOME
The purpose of the not-for-profit Aesthetic Realism Foundation is to meet the urgent need for people throughout the world to see each other and reality fairly. Aesthetic Realism, the philosophy founded in 1941 by the American poet and critic, Eli Siegel, is a tremendous education in how to have that fairness.
Located in SoHo, NYC, the Foundation offers an exciting curriculum of classes—see the listing below—and individual consultations by video conference. When public events resume, there will be seminars and vibrant theatrical presentations. Through the principles of Aesthetic Realism, people of all ages understand themselves newly. Read more
Registration for the Fall 2026 semester is now closed. Classes will begin on Saturday, Sep 12.
- The Aesthetic Realism Explanation of Poetry
- Anthropology Is about You & Everyone
- The Visual Arts & the Opposites
- The Aesthetic Realism Teaching Method
- The Opposites in Music
- “If It Moves, It Can Move You”: Opposites in the Cinema
- Understanding Marriage!
Want to audit a class? Contact the registrar at 212.777.5055, Mon–Fri, 2–6 PM (ET) or submit this brief form. Be sure to make your request at least 2 days in advance of the class.
BLOG UPDATE
"The Technique of Poetry, & Our Lives"
Steven Weiner, computer specialist and Aesthetic Realism associate, writes: The new issue of TRO is titled “The Technique of Poetry, & Our Lives,” and it’s about the importance of words—how we see them, how we use them. I love this sentence in the new issue: “Poetry is a way of having you live more.” I’ve experienced the truth of that so much in my study of Aesthetic Realism. Is authentic poetry, because of its sincerity with words, vital to our happiness and well-being? Yes! …
Terrain Gallery
—New Show Opens September 12—
THE HONORING EYE
18 Photographers Look at the World
WED, FRI, SAT 1-5 PM