General Forums >> Career Advice >> What art school do you recommend?
What art school do you recommend?
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Posted 4 months ago Please name art schools that you either attended or would like to attend and give as much info about them as possible. |
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| Posted 3 months ago I have spent time in/around three art schools ... The Maryland Inst. College of Art - Very vibrant student community - some serious verve and variety of outlook and approach. There are some dedicated and innovative faculty (more in some depts.) - school has expanded in past decade - now quite a presence both in scale and resources. Strong photo/graphic d., 3-D, and painting.
School of the Art Inst. of Chicago - wow - this place sizzles with energy. I was part of a summer feloowship ... The students and the faculty seemed highly energized and involved in their art ventures. The variety of approaches and the experimental nature of work all around the campus is exciting. Chicago is a vital and arts-centric place. I would go to SAIC if I was going back to art school.
SCAD - great resources and a highly driven administration. The school has considerable opportunity and potential for education ... needs a driven and mature student who is willing to seek out the faculty and experiences ... they are there (Savannah and Atlanta) - just not as 'serious' an art school environment as SAIC or MICA.
"Lets Live Suddenly, Without Thinking"
David
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| Posted 3 months ago I would recommend two schools. On the east coast, Pratt Institute. There is a sense of community among the students and faculty that I haven't seen at any other school. The school of industrial design, school of architecture are among the best in the nation as is fashion design and interior design. Photography and interactive media are good, and improving. The school has a "real campus" unlike many metro schools, and it acts as a sculpture garden. Students work hard for their classes and they learn from each other as well. Graduates are professional and well prepared for their careers. My son graduated from there recently, and is doing very well as a computer animator. The second school I can recommend is the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. The school is scattered all over the city, but they have their own bus system for transportation. Their animation program is top-notch, with many grads working for lucas arts. The school emphasizes the practical, to prepare students for the real world and their chosen profession. They also have an extensive on-line program for many of their degrees, which is excellent. On the down-side, they don't offer scholarships, but the financial aid office is very helpful in suggesting scholarship and financing opportunities. Their strengths are animation, industrial design, fine art, fashion design, packaging design and interior design. I'm pursuing my MFA there. |
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| Posted 3 months ago I attended the School of Visual Arts (SVA). It's location NYC couldn't be better for an aspiring artist. Though I thoroughly enjoyed my time their and studied with some incredible artists and professors I think for an art school they are a little close minded. At the time I was in the illustration program and there was a definite push toward photo realism. If you didn't fit into that style you kind of were on your own. Luckily I found two professors that I connected with and scheduled as many classes with them for the four years I was there as I could. I also found there was a definite separation in the student body along the lines of one's major. Designers and Illustrators because they were in the same building tended to stay together while everyone else was scattered about. There was also a constant debate on who were the "real" artists the commercial artists , fine artists, photographers or film makers. As far as I know they do still have a top notch design and 3D design program. Even though I may seem a little down on SVA I do think it is a great school if you fit into their idea of what design or art is. There prof's are real world artists and designers not just lifelong teachers and if you network right you can make great contacts. My advice to you would be to go visit the schools you are interested in and talk to the students not the faculty. See what they think, what they say about the programs. Go to a show of the student body's work so you can get idea of the styles and quality of work that is being produced. I truly believe that the students surrounding you are as important as the instructors themselves. Some of my fondest and most productive moments at SVA were those times spent in the student lounge with other artists bouncing ideas and techniques off each other. Good Luck
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| Posted 3 months ago I attended Paier College of Art in Hamden, CT. The atmosphere is so nice, it's incredibly homely and familial due to the smallness of the student body. 200--if that--students attend. If you don't know someone by name, there's a pretty good chance that you know them by face. The professors were amazing. None really tried to force a style, media, anything on you. They put out suggestions, but left it all up to you. One of my illustration professors gave all his number so that we can meet up when not in school if need be, he asks students to help him with bigger commisions we might have. |
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| Posted 2 months ago My daughter is a MICA student. Maryland Inst of Art. The school is rated highly amongst undergrads and grads, by both the students and outside resources i.e. US News #4. They love it in Baltimore. When selecting a college it helps to attend a National Portfolio Day in your area with your work - to visit with staff from as many schools as possible, get a feel for if they will accept you, and mostly to get vital feedback on your work. See - npda.org. NPDays start this fall. Also, look for the schools accreditation. SCAD is not accredited by the NASAD National Association of Schools of Art and Design, but rather by another assn. (most good art schools are) ? Fine art vs commercial is also a big consideration, and of course your area of concentration is key. Good discussion question! |
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| Posted 2 months ago laurenswirsky says ...
This is a huge absolute - great point - GO TO A NATIONAL PORTFOLIO DAY! (oh - when touring a campus - seek out students - not the tour guide - but seek some students outside - in studios - ask them if they would share their opinions - be candid.) also - as Lauren (and others noted) it is really your concentration that is important in seeking a good fit ... one school might be amazing for time art and new technology but weak for traditional 2-D media ... I do hope this is helping people (amazing how little info. I received 30 years ago as i looked at art schools : )
"Lets Live Suddenly, Without Thinking"
David
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| Posted 2 months ago Xanquador says ...
222 journalists and media assistants have been killed in Iraq since March of 2003... more than World Wars 1 & 2, Korea & Vietnam combined. |
