Art schools

[Anonymous]

Be wary of the smaller art schools - I know someone who went to one that closed with a week's notice at the end of the school year, many are on thin ice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Film and media

For Film, check out UNCSA in Winston-Salem

[Anonymous]

USNews ranks VCU as the 4th best school for art in the country. I know a number of people who went there and have successful careers in the art industry. Some are successful artists, others work in galleries and for auction houses, advertising agencies and working for collectors.

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-fine-arts-schools/fine-arts-rankings

[Anonymous]

My kid got into the BFA programs at both VCU and JMU. Chose JMU for the campus vibe and also because JMU makes it a bit easier to get a dual degree in a non-arts field. The plan may change, but they are currently pursing a BFA and a BS in computer science.

[Anonymous]

I'd try to steer kid to a traditional university with an art program. Art school is very limiting for major, if the kid decides later to change direction.

[Anonymous]

Echoing what others have said, get a BA in Art and not a BFA. You can always get an MFA later.

I started at a BFA program but it was too limiting. I wanted extra study outside of art to inform my art so I switched to a BA in art program, worked for a while, and then got my MFA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Echoing what others have said, get a BA in Art and not a BFA. You can always get an MFA later.

I started at a BFA program but it was too limiting. I wanted extra study outside of art to inform my art so I switched to a BA in art program, worked for a while, and then got my MFA

What school did you attend?

[Anonymous]

I studied studio art at a large university and ultimately switched to an art-adjacent major (though continued to study related art courses). This gave me a more typical university experience - I just spent more time in a studio and had extra expenses in terms of supplies (art school is not cheap).

Pure art schools will have a more concentrated experience with fellow student (wonderful if you love art) but may not have typical campus gathering areas, limited eating options because smaller, etc. RISD is an exception and it is near Brown with cross-classes offered.

Some amazing schools like School of the Art Institute in Chicago do not really have a "campus" - but the school is attached to the museum, which is great. Housing is scattered nearby. I suspect in this scenario students would need to work to build relationships in class.

I agree with the above poster with the husband artist that the thing to do is figure where you want to go AFTER school and then find the right fit. Some schools funnel to fashion, some to design/corporate, some to NYC gallery world.

There was a post about this which listed which art schools focused on which outcomes...you'll need to search tho.

Art school/classes are NOT easy, btw. Your child already probably knows this tho. You need to have a tough skin as classes involve the most brutal critiques of your work that you'll ever receive - all in class, all in front of everyone. You need to be mentally tough. It's part of the system but it is helpful in the end. I learned so much in studio art and it was a great experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I studied studio art at a large university and ultimately switched to an art-adjacent major (though continued to study related art courses). This gave me a more typical university experience - I just spent more time in a studio and had extra expenses in terms of supplies (art school is not cheap).

Pure art schools will have a more concentrated experience with fellow student (wonderful if you love art) but may not have typical campus gathering areas, limited eating options because smaller, etc. RISD is an exception and it is near Brown with cross-classes offered.

Some amazing schools like School of the Art Institute in Chicago do not really have a "campus" - but the school is attached to the museum, which is great. Housing is scattered nearby. I suspect in this scenario students would need to work to build relationships in class.

I agree with the above poster with the husband artist that the thing to do is figure where you want to go AFTER school and then find the right fit. Some schools funnel to fashion, some to design/corporate, some to NYC gallery world.

There was a post about this which listed which art schools focused on which outcomes...you'll need to search tho.

Art school/classes are NOT easy, btw. Your child already probably knows this tho. You need to have a tough skin as classes involve the most brutal critiques of your work that you'll ever receive - all in class, all in front of everyone. You need to be mentally tough. It's part of the system but it is helpful in the end. I learned so much in studio art and it was a great experience.

Thanks for sharing! My DC was accepted into VCUarts in my mind it’s the best of both worlds a typical college experience where she gets to major in art.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Plan on getting am MFA and be a professor
Or work in industry from USC
Those are 2 of the more career minded options. Of neither appeal, what's the end goal? Open your own gallery? Stay a magazine? Are you rich?

Art professor jobs are becoming scarce.

[Anonymous]

DC is at RISD. So far, so good. I would highly recommend having your child attend a few National Portfolio Day events BEFORE senior year so that they have a good sense of where they stand as an artist relative to peers. These events are free, in person or virtual, and extremely valuable for learning about what the various art programs have to offer and for advice on developing one's portfolio for admission. (DC was offered admission to SAIC on the spot during a senior year Portfolio Day virtual visit.)
As for the art school experience, RISD lives up to its reputation for being hard. The studio hours are long, but DC seems happy there and has made great friends. There are required liberal arts courses for all students. Providence and Brown are great. Admission is very competitive. You need strong SAT scores or an exceptional portfolio, and ideally both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is at RISD. So far, so good. I would highly recommend having your child attend a few National Portfolio Day events BEFORE senior year so that they have a good sense of where they stand as an artist relative to peers. These events are free, in person or virtual, and extremely valuable for learning about what the various art programs have to offer and for advice on developing one's portfolio for admission. (DC was offered admission to SAIC on the spot during a senior year Portfolio Day virtual visit.)
As for the art school experience, RISD lives up to its reputation for being hard. The studio hours are long, but DC seems happy there and has made great friends. There are required liberal arts courses for all students. Providence and Brown are great. Admission is very competitive. You need strong SAT scores or an exceptional portfolio, and ideally both.

Thanks for posting RSDI parent. Out of curiosity, are you full pay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd try to steer kid to a traditional university with an art program. Art school is very limiting for major, if the kid decides later to change direction.

+1

That's what DC did. No regrets.

[Anonymous]

RISD parent here. Yes, full pay. It helps with admission, I am sure, but probably less at a highly competitive school like RISD, where the class could be filled with qualified full-pay students, and probably more at a less competitive school with a smaller endowment that is entirely tuition-driven.

If your child is unsure about pursuing art, attending a traditional liberal arts college or university is probably the way to go because of options. If your child will not be happy doing anything but art, attending an art school makes a lot more sense because the surrounding community and administration (e.g., career counseling) are uniquely set up to support artists and their development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I studied studio art at a large university and ultimately switched to an art-adjacent major (though continued to study related art courses). This gave me a more typical university experience - I just spent more time in a studio and had extra expenses in terms of supplies (art school is not cheap).

Pure art schools will have a more concentrated experience with fellow student (wonderful if you love art) but may not have typical campus gathering areas, limited eating options because smaller, etc. RISD is an exception and it is near Brown with cross-classes offered.

Some amazing schools like School of the Art Institute in Chicago do not really have a "campus" - but the school is attached to the museum, which is great. Housing is scattered nearby. I suspect in this scenario students would need to work to build relationships in class.

I agree with the above poster with the husband artist that the thing to do is figure where you want to go AFTER school and then find the right fit. Some schools funnel to fashion, some to design/corporate, some to NYC gallery world.

There was a post about this which listed which art schools focused on which outcomes...you'll need to search tho.

Art school/classes are NOT easy, btw. Your child already probably knows this tho. You need to have a tough skin as classes involve the most brutal critiques of your work that you'll ever receive - all in class, all in front of everyone. You need to be mentally tough. It's part of the system but it is helpful in the end. I learned so much in studio art and it was a great experience.

Thanks for sharing! My DC was accepted into VCUarts in my mind it’s the best of both worlds a typical college experience where she gets to major in art.

Congratulations! I’m sure they will have an amazing experience! Art is a unique course of study that excels in teaching perspective, problem-solving, and stating/defending one’s case (the critiques!). Enjoy!